Gary Kirsten and Bob Simpson’s huge feats of concentration – most balls faced in a Test innings

Jonhenry Wilson 21 Jan 2025

Gary Kirsten faced 642 balls in one Test innings against England at Kingsmead in 1999.

We recently looked at bowlers who had bowled the most balls in a single Test. There were some tired men on that list who carried a huge load. But bowlers are not the only people who work hard, there are also plenty of batsmen who have done some hard yards.

Hours of concentration, waiting for the bad ball and slowly but surely grinding down the opposition.

Let’s take a moment to check through the list of batsmen who have faced the most balls in a single Test innings.

5. Gary Kirsten (South Africa) – 642 balls, 275 runs

South Africa vs England, Durban, December 1999

A nuggety opening batsmen who was famed for his powers of concentration and his endurance, Kirsten went into the game against England in 1999 on the back of an extended run of poor form. His place was under pressure, and it looked like his Test career may be over when he failed once again in the first innings as South Africa replied to England’s first innings score of 366 for nine declared with a paltry 156 all out (Kirsten made 11).

Asked to follow on, Kirsten took his chance as he batted for 878 minutes and faced 642 balls on his way to a score of 275. Along the way he shared century stands with Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher and Lance Klusener as the Proteas score 572 for seven before declaring with the match ending in a draw.

Also read: Most balls bowled in a Test match

4. Sid Barnes (Australia) – 667 balls, 234 runs

Australia vs England, Sydney, December 1946

Opening batsman Sid Barnes was an innovative Australian batsman known for his exceptional batting and his eccentric behaviour. One of his most memorable performances came against England during the 1946-47 Ashes series, where he scored an epic 234 runs off 667 balls.

Batting in tandem with the legendary Donald Bradman (who also scored 234 runs) the duo shared a stand of 405 runs for the fifth wicket. By way of comparison, Bradman scored his 234 from 396 balls while Barnes’ came from 667 balls. Their stand is still the highest ever fifth wicket stand in history. Barnes, who played a total of 13 Tests ended his career with an average of 63.05.

3. Bob Simpson (Australia) – 743 balls, 311 runs

Australia vs England, Manchester, July 1964

An icon of Australian cricket Simpson was a player, a captain, a coach and a commentator. He was nearly always a success in whatever role he took on. An opening batsman, it took Simpson until his 30th Test before he eventually reached the three-figure mark.

Having finally raised his bat for a century he made his start count as he went on to post a score of 311 in a high scoring game that ended in a draw. Simpson was a disciplined leader and a fierce competitor.

With Simpson as coach Australia won both the Ashes and the Frank Worrell Trophy as well as the World Cup. As a test player he returned from the game with an average of 46.81, with 10 centuries to his name.

2. Glenn Turner (New Zealand) – 759 balls, 259 runs

New Zealand vs West Indies, Georgetown, April 1972

A calm and composed competitor on the field, Turner was an opening batsman whose game was perfectly suited to Test cricket. Never a great stroke maker, he was defensively sound and quick to get in line.

He twice carried his bat through a completed Test innings. His epic 259 run effort in Georgetown that saw his face 759 balls came in the drawn fourth Test. The Windies batted first and posted a score of 365 for seven before skipper Garry Sobers declared.

Turner and opening partner Terry Jarvis then set about an opening stand of 387 runs. It was hard work and Sobers eventually used nine bowlers as he looked to a find a way to unlock wickets. New Zealand declared on 543 for three and the game drifted to a draw.

1. Len Hutton (England) – 847 balls, 364 runs

England vs Australia at The Oval, August 1938

A batting prodigy, Hutton, is one England cricket’s all-time greats – perhaps second only to Jack Hobbs. Hutton was the complete package – he had a great range of shots; he had concentration and focus, and he could attack or defend as required of the situation. When he retired from the game, he had a Test average of 56.67 from 79 Tests and 138 innings.

His record knock of 364 runs and 847 balls happened in 1938. At the time his innings was the highest ever Test score by a single batsman. It was an outstanding knock and the cornerstone of an outrageous innings – batting for more than two and a half days England posted a score of 903 for seven.

It looked like the game would drift to a tame draw, but that wasn’t to be the case. Australia reached stumps on day three at 117 for three before they fell apart on the fourth day – they were bowled out for a first innings total of 201. Asked to follow on they could muster just 123 runs in the second innings as England won by an innings and 579 runs, a result that to this day is still the record margin for a Test win.