Cricket is one of the most popular sports in the world and has a long and storied history. One of the most impressive feats in cricket is batting over 400 runs in an innings. This is a feat that has only been achieved by a select few players, and it is a testament to their skill and determination. In this article, we will look at how many players have batted over 400 runs in an innings, and discuss the history of this impressive feat.
The History of Batting 400 Runs
The first recorded instance of a player batting 400 runs in an innings was in 1845, when William Lambert of England scored 409 runs in an innings against Hampshire. This was the first time that any player had scored 400 runs in an innings, and it was a feat that was not repeated for another century. The next recorded instance of a player scoring 400 runs was in 1946, when Len Hutton of England scored 404 against Australia at The Oval.
Since then, there have been a few more players who have achieved the feat of batting 400 runs in an innings. In 1957, West Indies’ Garry Sobers scored an incredible 418 against Pakistan, which is still the highest individual score in Test cricket. In 1994, Brian Lara of the West Indies scored an incredible 501 not out against Durham, which is the highest individual score of all time.
More Recent 400-Run Performances
Although the feat of batting 400 runs in an innings is rare, there have been a few more recent examples of players achieving this feat. In 2012, Michael Clarke of Australia scored an impressive 329 against India. In 2017, England’s Alastair Cook scored an incredible 243 against West Indies. In 2018, India’s Virat Kohli scored an impressive 243 against England.
In 2019, Steve Smith of Australia scored an impressive 239 against England. In 2020, Ben Stokes of England scored an impressive 176 against Pakistan. These are just a few of the more recent examples of players batting over 400 runs in an innings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is clear that batting over 400 runs in an innings is an incredibly impressive feat. It is a feat that has only been achieved by a select few players, and it is a testament to their skill and determination. From the first recorded instance of a player batting 400 runs in 1845 to the more recent performances of Steve Smith, Ben Stokes and Virat Kohli, it is clear that this feat is not easy to achieve.
It is likely that more players will join this exclusive club in the future. However, it is certain that the players who have already achieved this feat will always remain an inspiration to aspiring cricketers all around the world.