It is remarkable to know that in the last two decades, T20 cricket has become the fastest growing sport in the world. The rise of the shortest format of the game has turned many heads. It won’t be an exaggeration to say that T20 cricket has perhaps displaced the other two oldest formats i.e., ODIs and Test Cricket.
There is no denying the fact the shortest format is a bit harsh towards the bowlers. It has given full licence to the batsmen to swing their arms right from the onset and enjoy their game in the middle. The format demands power-hitters who have got the ability to hit maximums with ease and turn the game in a few overs.
Despite having just 20 overs to play, the batsmen have managed to notch some knocks. Over the years, we have seen some sensational centuries in T20 cricket. As of now, 57 centuries have been scored in T20 internationals. However, there are a few batsmen who got short of just one run in reaching the milestone and ended their innings at 99.
Here’s a look at all the players with scores of 99 in T20 internationals:
- Alex Hales: 99 against West Indies in 2012
Alex Hales boasts of fantastic numbers when it comes to T20 cricket. The English batsman has 1644 runs to his name in 60 T20 internationals at an average of 32.64. He has notched 8 half-centuries and 1 century in the shortest format. It could have been 2 centuries had he scored one more run against West Indies in the only T20 international game on 24th June 2012 in Nottingham.
In pursuit of a 172-run total, Alex Hales notched an unbeaten 99-run knock off 68 balls, including 6 fours and 4 sixes, at a strike rate of 145.59. His crucial knock helped England reach home in 19.4 overs.
- Luke Wright: 99* against Afghanistan in 2012
England’s terrific all-rounder, Luke Wright was one big asset in T20 cricket. He had the ability to tonk huge sixes and was also handy with his fast-medium. Luke Wright enjoyed a successful 2012 T20 World Cup with the bat, having scored 193 runs in 5 matches at a stellar average of 48.25.
His best knock came in the sixth match of 2012 T20 World Cup against Afghanistan where he scored an unbeaten 99-run knock at Colombo. Coming in at number three, Luke Wright went all guns blazing, scoring 99 runs off just 55 balls. Striking at 180, Wright hit 8 fours and 6 sixes during the course of his innings. His knock propelled England to a formidable 196-run total in the first innings. In reply, Afghanistan folded for just 80 runs, thereby handing England a massive 116-run victory.
- Dawid Malan: 99* against South Africa in 2020:
England have found another gem of a batsman in Dawid Malan in T20 cricket. He has left everyone in awe with his batting exploits. In the last couple of years, Malan has starred in numerous victories for England in T20 cricket.
In the third T20 international of the recently concluded three-match T20 series against South Africa, Dawid Malan played an unbeaten 99-run knock to help England chase down a formidable 191-run total set by South Africa in the first innings. He stitched a 167-run partnership with Jos Buttler as the duo chased down the total in the just 17.4 over.
