As we wrote yesterday, we are now within 100 days of the start of the first Ashes test at Brisbane on 25th November. As the anticipation continues to mount our new Ashes 100-1 feature will see a daily post that provides an Ashes related statistic, observation, memory or maybe even a witticism on the greatest contest in cricket.
Today with 99 days to go we look at the unfortunate batsmen in Ashes history who have fallen one run short of what must be the ultimate for an English or Australian batsmen - an Ashes hundred.
Of the 11 99's, most have been made by notable cricketers such as Clem Hill, Keith Miller and Ted Dexter rather than relative unknowns. English supporters will be gratified to see not one but two Waugh brothers in the list. Indeed, Steve was left stranded on 99 not out at Perth in 1995 when his brother, acting as runner for the injured number 11 Craig McDermott, was run out attempting a suicidal single.
Whilst that brings a smile to our faces at the Reverse Sweep, we have less good memories of Mike Atherton being run out at Lord's attempting a third run that was never there to try and reach his hundred. Will anyone join this list in the forthcoming series? If so, we hope that it is Shane Watson.
| Player | Runs | Mins | BF | SR | Ground | Start date |
| SR Waugh (Aus) | 99* | 288 | 183 | 54.09 | Perth | 03-Feb-95 |
| C Hill (Aus) | 99 | 191 | - | - | Melbourne | 01-Jan-02 |
| CG Macartney (Aus) | 99 | 135 | - | - | Lord's | 24-Jun-12 |
| AG Chipperfield (Aus) | 99 | 200 | 208 | 47.59 | Nottingham | 08-Jun-34 |
| E Paynter (Eng) | 99 | 182 | 188 | 52.65 | Lord's | 24-Jun-38 |
| KR Miller (Aus) | 99 | 207 | - | - | Adelaide | 02-Feb-51 |
| ER Dexter (Eng) | 99 | 169 | - | - | Brisbane | 30-Nov-62 |
| RM Cowper (Aus) | 99 | 203 | 183 | 54.09 | Melbourne | 30-Dec-65 |
| R Edwards (Aus) | 99 | 201 | 132 | 75 | Lord's | 31-Jul-75 |
| ME Waugh (Aus) | 99 | 224 | 162 | 61.11 | Lord's | 17-Jun-93 |
| MA Atherton (Eng) | 99 | 240 | 215 | 46.04 | Lord's | 17-Jun-93 |
Stunning that FIVE of the 11 were at Lords!
Not stunning that Athers (bless him) scored his 99 the slowest.
Posted by: Dave Bird | Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 08:54
A Spotters Badge for you Dave to notice that five of the eleven 99's were at Lord's. I somehow missed that one!
Posted by: The Reverse Sweep | Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 11:24
I assume C Hill - 01 Jan '02 means 1902, and not 2002?
Posted by: Shridhar Jaju | Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 11:59
That's right Shridhar. Clem Hill was one of Australia's early great batsman and his 99 was way back in 1902
Posted by: The Reverse Sweep | Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 12:01