Top 10 legendary test knocks by Ashwell Prince

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Ashwell Prince is a South African left-handed batter. He was born in Port Elizabeth and has played 66 tests and 52 One-Day Internationals for the Proteas. In the longest format of the game, he has scored over 3500 runs, including eleven centuries and a maximum score of 162*. He generally batted in the middle order. In this post, we will look at Prince’s top ten test knocks.

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  Against New Zealand- 108*

Prince scored 108 runs against the Kiwis in the second test of the series at Cape Town in April 2006. He batted at no. 5 and faced 286 balls, hitting 9 boundaries to achieve the three-figure mark. It was a composed and serene innings with a strike rate just around 35.

• Against Australia- 119

In the third test of South Africa’s tour of Australia, Prince produced another superb century at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2006. He was his team’s leading run-scorer in the first innings, with a solid 119-run knock off 271 balls. He hit 13 home runs in the process and had a strike rate of approximately 43. However, he was unable to save his team from defeat, as they were hit by the Aussies by 8 wickets.

• Against India- 121

In December 2006, Prince scored his fifth test century against the Men in Blue at Kingsmead in Durban. Coming in at no. 5, Prince got this magnificent knock in 212 balls, hitting the rope 16 times. He had a strike rate of just over 55 percent. His knock was significant in helping the hosts gain a first-innings advantage and eventually win the match.

• Against West Indies- 123*

Another century was struck by the left-hander at Kingsmead in Durban against the West Indies in the third test in January 2008. After skipper Smith opened the innings with a superb century, Prince came out to bat at no. 5 and contributed 123 runs to the total. In this innings, he faced 196 balls and hit 15 boundaries, giving him a strike rate of more than 60. The Proteas won the match by an innings and 100 runs, with Prince named Man of the Match.

• Against West Indies- 131

This left-handed knock came in 254 balls against the West Indies at Antigua in April 2005. He smashed the ball 13 times to the fence and also hit a six in his inning. He was one of four centurions in the African innings, which helped the visitors total 588 in their first innings.

• Against Pakistan- 138

Prince’s sixth test century came against Pakistan in the first test of the series in January 2007 at Centurion. His 138-run outing required only 214 balls. In this inning, he hit 19 fours and had a strike rate of little over 60. His century enabled the Proteas to pass 400 runs in the first innings and win the match by 7 wickets.

• Against Zimbabwe- 139*

Ashwell Prince scored his first test century against Zimbabwe in March 2005 at Centurion. With 139 runs in 218 balls, he was the highest scorer in the African innings. In this innings, he smashed 18 boundaries and two big sixes while remaining undefeated. Because of his outstanding effort, the Proteas scored 480 in their first innings and won the match by an innings and 62 runs.

• Against England- 149

In July 2008, Prince came out to bat at no. 5 against a powerful English side at Headingley, Leeds. He played another magnificent innings. He scored 149 runs while facing 284 balls. His innings included 17 fours and two sixes. He delivered a solid knock with a strike rate just above 50. Pattinson, however, removed him just one run short of his maiden 150.

• Against Australia- 150

Prince’s second test 150 came in the third test against the great Australians in Cape Town in March 2009. He opened the innings with a magnificent hit of 150 runs in 249 balls. He had a good strike-rate of around 60, hitting 19 boundaries and a handful of sixes. South Africa posted a massive total of 651 runs in their first innings, and subsequently won the match, thanks to his crucial knock and the hundreds of Kallis and de Villiers.

• Against Bangladesh- 162*

The first knock on this list is Prince’s maiden test 150. In November 2008, he scored 162 runs unbroken against Bangladesh at Centurion. In this innings, he faced 223 balls and had a strike rate of more than 70. To accomplish this milestone, he hit 23 boundaries and a couple of sixes. This stunning knock aided his team’s victory and earned him the Man of the Match award.

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