Martin Crowe is one of the all time great batters of New Zealand cricket. He was a player who was an inspiration for so many young Kiwi batters and many around the world. He was a batter who liked getting the big runs and he could make big hundreds against anybody. He played 77 Test Matches for New Zealand and in those he made 5444 runs at an average of 45.57. He has made 17 Test Hundreds and a double hundred. He has also played in 143 ODIs and he has made 4704 runs at an average of 38. He has scored 4 ODI Hundreds in his career.
Let’s look at the Top 5 Best Batting Performances of Martin Crowe
1) 299 vs Sri Lanka (1991)
Martin Crowe would have been so disappointed that he missed the 300 by 1 run but he should be delighted about the other 299 runs that he scored in the second innings of this test match. New Zealand were under pressure and he stood up for his country. He played for 523 balls in this innings and he hit 29 fours and 3 sixes meaning 134 runs in boundaries. He ran for 165 of his runs and yet he had a strike rate of 57 in this innings. This was truly his best innings and one that will be remembered forever.
2) 188 vs Australia (1985)
This was the innings that announced him to the world stage. This was against the best team in the world and he absolutely destroyed them. He made 188 runs from 326 balls. He hit 26 fours in this innings meaning 104 runs in boundaries. He had a strike rate of 58 in this innings and this was the match winning century that decided this test match. New Zealand beat Australia by a whopping innings and 41 Runs. Martin Crowe was becoming the best batter in New Zealand cricket.
3) 188 vs West Indies (1985)
This is another 188 that Martin Crowe made in his career. This was equally as special as the one against Australia. This had come against one of the best fast bowling attacks in cricket history. This was an innings that showed the world that Martin Crowe can get it. He Batted for 420 balls in this mammoth innings at a strike rate of 40. He was ready to endure it all for his country. Martin Crowe was the toast of the cricketing world and even the opposition respected him.
4) 174 vs Pakistan (1989)
This was his fourth best innings in test cricket and his 4th highest test score. This was against Pakistan in 1989 when they had the best bowling attack in their history. Pakistan were a great test team that time and Martin Crowe showed that he is not scared of anyone. He played for 410 balls in this Innings and he hit only 16 fours in this innings meaning 64 runs in boundaries. He ran for 110 of his runs and he had a strike rate of 42.44. Pakistan were unable to get him out and the test match was a draw.
5) 105* vs England (1984)
This is the 5th different nation in this list that Martin Crowe scored a century against. This was his first Hundred in ODI Cricket and it was a very special one. It was against England and New Zealand were in a tricky chase. Martin Crowe played 105 balls in this innings and he made 105 not out at a strike rate of 100. He hit 11 fours and 1 six in this innings meaning 50 runs in boundaries. New Zealand won this ODI match by 7 wickets and Martin Crowe was established in ODI Cricket as well.
Also Read: Top 5 Best Batting Performances of Richie Richardson
