Test cricket and Partnership teams cannot win a test match without this alignment. One of the most purest and difficult formats of a game – Test cricket. Over the last few decades many players have proved his mettle in test cricket and turned into the greatest players in history.
Partnerships are very important in a match but if it comes during the first hour of a match then it does wonders for a team. A strong partnership in the beginning provides the momentum for the other players and put the team in a dominating position. Usually a one strong partnership on day one of a test match can decide the match result almost.
But if a team fails to make a strong opening partnership not only it put pressure on a team but also gives the momentum to the opposition team. Although winning is a teamwork effort, individual player performance also makes a lot of difference in a match-result.
Let us take a look back at the top five highest first wicket partnerships in history:
1. Neil McKenzie and Graeme Smith – 415 Runs Vs Bangladesh, 2008:
The 50-year old record set by Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy was broken by South African Openers Neil McKenzie and Graeme Smith in 2008 When South Africa played against Bangladesh in 2008.
After winning the first test, South Africa won the toss in the second test and decided to bat first on spin-friendly conditions. The South African took the game completely away from the opposition with the record-breaking partnership of 415 runs for 1st wicket which had come in 94.3 overs between Graeme Smith (232) and Neil McKenzie (226).
The South Africa team went onto posted 583/7 before making the declaration and rest of the work was done by young flamboyant bowler Dale Steyn who took 7 wickets in a match and helped South Africa to win the match by 205 runs and innings along with the series too by 2-0.
2. Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy – 413 Runs Versus New Zealand, 1956:
Before South African broke the record of highest opening partnership the record was held by Indian batsmen for almost 5 decades. 5-Test match series and it was the final test match of the series. Team India was already up 1-0 in the series.
After winning the toss, Team India decided to bat first, pressure was on the tourists as Indian openers set the winning momentum and confirmed the victory by making a record-breaking partnership of 413 runs for the first wicket between Vinoo Mankad (231) and Pankaj Roy (173).
Before Polly Umrigar announced the declaration at 537/3. New Zealand couldn't manage to cross the 300 run mark in both of their innings and lost the match by 109 runs and innings.
3. Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid – 410 Runs Versus Pakistan, 2006:
The match ended in a draw due to rain interrupting the play. But batsman from both the sides poured some entertainment into it. After winning the toss, Pakistan decided to bat first on the flat surface of Lahore track.
Pakistan went on to post a massive score on the board before making the declaration at 679/7. Rain had already interrupted the game on day 3 and team Indian openers arrived when the result was an obvious draw but Indian destructive opener Virender Sehwag along with Rahul Dravid made the match memorable with the record-breaking partnership for 1st wicket of 410 runs.
Sehwag 254 off 247 balls including 47 fours and one six and Rahul Dravid remained unbeaten on 128. The 50-year old record looked in trouble before Sehwag departed in the form of only wicket in India Innings. The match ended in a draw but that record partnership was the highlight of a match and applauded by fans around the world.
4. Glenn Turner and Terry Jarvis – 387 Runs Versus West Indies, 1972:
This was the fourth highest first wicket partnership in history. 5-match series and the fourth test match. Till now the series was 0-0 between both the sides as no one had come out as victorious on any occasions earlier.
After winning the toss, West Indian captain sobers decided to bat first. Playing against West-Indies in the 1970s was a nightmare for the team, especially in their own territory. Without wasting the time West-Indies declared the innings at 365/7 – test matches during that time were of 4-days so declaration came at the right time.
But what followed next was New Zealand at its best. The kiwi openers Glenn Turner (259) and Terry Jarvis (182) put on 387 run stand partnership for the first wicket and turned the match completely. New Zealand went onto post the massive score on the board 543/3 before declaring their first innings.
The result was clear another test ended in a draw and also the next match was drawn no team came out as victorious after 5 test matches.
5. Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs – 368 Runs Versus Pakistan, 2002:
Fifth highest partnership for the first wicket in history. It was the 2nd test match of the series after winning the toss Shaun Pollock decided to bat first. The early days of Graeme Smith and herschelle Gibbs careers and they have shown the glimpse of their resilience that what had to come in the years – Statement to world.
Graeme smith (151) and Herschelle Gibbs (228) put on 368 run stand partnership for the 1st before South Africa declared their first innings at 620/7.
The rest of work done by Shaun Pollock and co. As Pakistan couldn't manage to score 300 runs in any of their innings and lost the match by 142 runs and innings.
