Reaching three figures in Test cricket is a major feat, yet elevating that ton into a double century demands immense focus, perseverance, and grit. Nevertheless, a few players have seen their ambition of achieving 200 shattered in the most heart-wrenching manner. Falling for 199 stands as one of the game’s most painful agonies, where a mere single stands between a brilliant performance and an iconic benchmark.
Throughout history, a number of distinguished batsmen have endured this heartbreak, perishing just shy of the landmark after tearing apart opponent attacks. Here, we highlight several celebrated players who were removed on 199 in Test matches.
5 legendary cricketers who lost their wicket on 199 in Test matches
1. Sanath Jayasuriya (199 against India, 1997)
Sri Lanka’s icon Sanath Jayasuriya was enjoying the zenith of his career in 1997, blending fierce attacking play with extraordinary regularity. Playing in the second Test versus India at Colombo, the left-handed opening batter carried forward his stellar run by crafting yet another dominant display.
Coming off a monumental 340 in the prior match, Jayasuriya appeared destined to construct another mammoth score. Yet, his bid to secure back-to-back double hundreds crumbled just a run shy of the target when Indian fast bowler Abey Kuruvilla shattered his stumps at 199. It served as a tragic end to an effort that once more highlighted his power to overpower opposition bowlers.
2. Steve Waugh (199 against West Indies, 1999)
Former Australian skipper Steve Waugh established his career on sheer mental fortitude, calmness, and a remarkable knack for thriving in tough situations. These traits were fully evident in the third Test against the West Indies at Bridgetown back in 1999, as he ground out a gritty knock facing a formidable bowling unit.
Waugh seemed primed to lock in a double hundred until his stay at the crease was halted at 199. Caribbean off-spinner Nehemiah Perry pinned him in front of the stumps, preventing the Australian star from joining the double-century club. This wicket stood out historically, as Waugh became the very first batter in Test history to be sent back for 199 via an LBW ruling.
3. Steve Smith (199 against West Indies, 2015)
Steve Smith has solidified his standing as one of Australia’s premier contemporary Test players, recognized for his unconventional style and relentless run-scoring capability. Even so, his remarkable batting prowess couldn’t shield him from a devastating near-miss versus the West Indies at Kingston in 2015.
Smith displayed immense restraint, meticulously constructing his stay while systematically neutralizing the hosts’ attack. As he closed in on what would have been his first Test double ton, crossing the threshold looked almost guaranteed.
That dream dissolved when speedster Jerome Taylor caught him off-guard with an LBW on 199. Smith was marooned just a single short of the 200 mark, leaving a bitter taste on an otherwise masterclass display.
4. KL Rahul (199 against England, 2016)
KL Rahul played one of the most brilliant knocks of his Test journey against England at Chennai in December 2016. The Indian top-order batter showcased crisp timing alongside silky shot-making, keeping the opposition bowling lineup under constant strain throughout his remarkable stay.
It looked almost certain that Rahul would claim his first double century in Tests, yet his performance concluded abruptly when he chased a wider ball from Adil Rashid, offering a simple catch to Jos Buttler at point. Stranded on 199, the Indian right-hander missed out on the milestone by the barest margin.
The sudden exit converted what ought to have been a celebrated individual triumph into a heart-rending moment, notwithstanding Rahul’s superb work for his team.
5. Faf du Plessis (199 against Sri Lanka, 2020)
Ex-South Africa captain Faf du Plessis fell excruciatingly short of locking in his first Test double hundred against Sri Lanka in Centurion during December 2020. He assembled a captivating performance, striking a fine balance between tactical aggression and solid defensive technique against the touring team.
Du Plessis gathered runs systematically and appeared completely at ease while approaching the 200-run barrier. Nevertheless, his quest for the figure concluded abruptly when an ambitious stroke off spinner Wanindu Hasaranga resulted in a catch, halting him right at 199.
It proved a deeply disappointing end to a magnificent effort, especially considering du Plessis had safely navigated the tough stretches needed to cross the 200 threshold.
Additional batsmen dismissed on 199 in Test matches
A selection of other distinguished cricketers have similarly felt the heartbreak of departing at 199. This group comprises Pakistani players Mudassar Nazar and Younis Khan, India’s Mohammad Azharuddin, Australian batter Matthew Elliott, England’s Ian Bell, South Africa’s Dean Elgar, along with Sri Lankan star Angelo Mathews.
Such efforts underscore the razor-thin line separating major achievements in Test cricket. While amassing 199 remains a stellar triumph in its own right, falling one run short of a double hundred leaves a distinctly bittersweet impression. For these players, this specific score stays as a testament to the brutal unpredictability of red-ball cricket, even when a batter seems entirely dominant.
