Thread by @CricVestigate

What is the most influential yet underrated sub-100 Test innings?

Bruce Lee once said "The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus".

We pick @nassercricket's 94 v SA in the decisive 5th Test at Headingley 1998: an innings of laser-like focus.

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Why was it so influential?

@ECB_cricket in the 1990s had some talented players and moments of success; but often found themselves outgunned by opposition champions. Going into the 1998 series v SA, they hadn't won a 5+ Test series since the 1986-87 Ashes (P13 L11 D2).

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Though they were #2 in the world, SA were desperate to win in Eng for the 1st time since readmission (previous time 1965). They had looked like taking the 1994 series before @devon_malcolm decided they were history and took 9-57. 6 men from that Test were in the squad.

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On paper the @OfficialCSA team were stronger, with batting down to 9; and 3 players who would become ATGs.

@jacqueskallis75 was not yet established, but @AllanDonald33 was the World No.1 bowler and; @7polly7 had proven his class in his brief career so far (21 Tests).

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The captain-coach combination of the disciplined Cronje and innovative Woolmer had created a formidable outfit, and both were meticulous in all aspects of planning. Cronje was an inspirational man manager, even if at times he could be tactically formulaic in the field.

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The 1st Test was a draw, but the 2nd saw SA thrash Eng by 10 wkts. In the 3rd, Eng miraculously squeezed out a draw with 1 wkt left (having followed on), and then hit back to win the 4th, leaving the series 1-1.

In the 1st inn of 5th, Eng scored 230 and SA scored 252.

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Atherton was out 1st ball on Day 3, and at 2 for 1 with the series on the line, Hussain walked into the middle to face the fearsome 5 pronged pace attack of Donald, Pollock, Ntini, McMillan and Kallis.

The pitch was not fast, but was showing signs of uneven bounce.

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Donald had caused Eng problems all series with extra pace, and was again a big threat. Pollock, releasing the ball close to the stumps with precise line and length and enough seam movement, was arguably a bigger threat, forcing batsmen to play at balls in the corridor.

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Ntini, bowling wide of the crease, was a different challenge. SA had applied Woolmer's "aggressive containment" theory, where the change bowlers, like Kallis and McMillan, would test on batsmen's patience by bowling just outside off stump, with a sweeper as protection.

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The idea behind was that it would dry up the scoring and result in a false shot. Even if the batsman was patient enough, overs would simply pass until the strike bowlers returned. Cronje himself was a handy bowler, dismissing even the great Tendulkar 5 times in Tests.

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Hussain struggled for fluency in the 1st hour, but realised that given the conditions and attack, judgement of both line and length was essential.

He avoided driving on the up and left very well, later saying he had resolved to bat like @Athersmike had in the series.

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When forced to play, Hussain played late with soft hands. He was so patient that he made even the metronomic SA attack occasionally stray or explore other lengths.

On the rare occasions that they bowled half-volleys or short balls, he cover drove and pulled superbly.

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Hussain's focus was illustrated by the fact that his 7 boundaries in his first 50, were all off either overpitched or short balls.

He was supported well by Butcher (108-ball 37) and Stewart who was positive in a 68-ball 35. Both were dismissed by jaffas from Pollock.

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Ramprakash struggled initially and that seemed to affect Hussain who played a rare loose drive off Ntini.

They managed to get through a tricky period and then runs started to flow with Hussain on-driving Ntini and then cutting cover-driving Kallis for boundaries.

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At 179-3, SA took the 2nd new ball. After Hussain cut a loosener from Donald for 4, batting suddenly became tougher with the light fading.

Hussain struggled to the close, playing and missing and getting hit on the hand by a ball that reared off a length from Donald.

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Ramprakash was trapped LBW to another superb Pollock delivery, but England ended slightly ahead at 206-4 with Hussain unbeaten on 83.

The next morning Donald ran through the batsmen very quickly, showing his guile in dismissing Hick and Flintoff with slower balls.

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Hussain was finally 8th out for a 7-hr 94, driving Pollock to cover a ball that held up in the pitch.

Donald and Pollock took 5 wkts each, but ultimately Hussain's 341-ball gutsy innings enabled England to set a target of 218; and they went on to win by just 23 runs.

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Donald and Pollock were the only combination of pace bowlers since 1887 to take 8+ wickets each in a Test and end up on the losing side.

It was also the only time in their Test history that two South African bowlers had taken 8 wickets each and still lost the Test.

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Why is it underrated?

@markbutcher72 rightfully got the man of the match for scoring 153 runs in a low scoring Test, including a brilliant century in the 1st innings.

Hussain's innings was a bit overshadowed by the exciting finish that spilled over into the 5th day.

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The series is mainly remembered for the famous duel in the 4th Test between Donald and Atherton. The series is also remembered for the shocking standard of umpiring, with this Test being the worst. The umpiring resulted in a fractious relationship between the 2 teams.

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Unlike other influential knocks, when Hussain was dismissed with tears in his eyes, the game was in the balance. Benaud said "Nasser Hussain has gone and do England's chances go with him".

What is the most influential yet underrated sub-100 innings in your opinion?

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