Three Number 11 batters with fastest Test fifties

Overview

• Kagiso Rabada stitched a 98-run stand for the last wicket with Senuran Muthuswamy in the Rawalpinidi 2025 Test against Pakistan, of which he scored 71(61)
• The South African became the second fastest batter to smash a Test fifty in 38 balls, batting as a Number 11
• The record for the fastest Test fifty among the Number 11s is held by the West Indies' S Shillingford

The last batter of the side, who is also usually one of the key bowlers of the side, is not known for their batting abilities more often than not. Hence, the worst batter of a side usually bats in the last position. Hence, it comes as a surprise whenever the last designated batter in a lineup plays a fine knock to help their side post a good total.

There have been numerous such instances where the batters at Number 11 have played the rescue acts. Some of them have even come in a winning cause, which proved the caliber of the lower order batters. However, it is rare for a Number 11 batter to score a fifty in Tests with a strike rate of over 100. Such instances often entertain the fans and take the game away from the opponents.

Three Number 11 batters with fastest Test fifties

Pat Symcox against Australia in 40 balls

It was the third Test of the 1997/98 series between South Africa and Australia at the Adelaide Oval. South Africa batted first and posted 517 on the board. It was a collective effort from the visting side's batting unit which took them to a total past 500 in the first innings.

The most notable performance from their innings came from Pat Symcox, the last batter. The South African batter scored 54(42) before being undone by Steve Waugh. His knock included 6 fours and came at a strike rate of 128.57. Symcox scored his fifty in just 40 balls, which was the record fastest for a No.11 back in 1998.

Kagiso Rabada against Pakistan in 38 balls

Pakistan batted first in the second Test of the 2025 series and posted 333 runs on the board. In reply to it, the 2025 WTC winners were reduced for 235/8.What followed was unexpected, as SA went on to post 404. The last couple of wickets partnerships accounted for 179 runs,which helped SA big time.

Kagiso Rabada stitched a 98-run stand for the last wicket with Senuran Muthuswamy in the Rawalpinidi 2025 Test, of which he scored 71(61). His fifty came in just 38 balls, which is now the fastest in Tests for a South African No.11.

Shane Shillingford against New Zealand in 25 balls

In his entire career, Shane Shillingford managed to score a solitary fifty, which came at a record pace. It was the first Test of the 2013/14 series between New Zealand and the West Indies at Sabina Park. Batting first, the visiting side posted 508/7 before declaring their innings.

In reply to it, the home side scored 262 in the first nnings. New Zealand batted in their second innings and scored 156/8 before declaring their innings. Chasing a mammoth 403, the home side was reduced for 134/9. That's when Shillingford scored an unbeaten 53*(29) of which his fifty came in just 25 balls.