In Test cricket, teams quite often require their specialist bowlers to step up and make vital contributions with their bats. There are numerous instances to recount when tailender batters came in as nightwatchmen and rescued their slide from difficult situations. Back in 2010, when India were eight down at a score of 124 against Australia in a Test match in Mohali while chasing 216, Ishant Sharma held his nerves and supported VVS Laxman with his 31 run-innings to help India emerge victorious.
Like Ishant, there are several bowlers who emerged as rescuers for their team with their bats. However, in the history of red-ball cricket, bowlers’ batting efforts have gone unnoticed that’s why it’s essential to discuss five part-time batters who notched up the most runs without fifties.
Here are the five best part-time batters without half-centuries:
5. Morne Morkel
Morne Morkel served South Africa from 2006 to 2018 and in those 12 years, he played 86 Tests and took 309 wickets in 160 innings. The lanky pacer also scored 944 runs for his side in 104 innings. During his huge Test career, he scored these runs without playing a 50-run innings for once.
In 2009, he recorded his best score of 40 against Australia in Sydney. After nine years of Sydney’s knock, Morkel scored 40 runs in the first innings against New Zealand in Wellington. He retired from international cricket after appearing against Australia in Johannesburg in March-April 2018.
