The number 11 position in a batting lineup generally belongs to a specialist bowler. If a player comes out to bat at this position, it means that he has the worst batting skills among all players in the team because the players with the best batting skills generally bat higher up the order.
However, at times, the batters coming out to play at the number 11 position have ended up playing crucial knocks for their respective teams. There have also been instances where the batter who came out to bat last ended up scoring a century in first-class cricket. Here’s a list of six such players.
1. Tushar Deshpande scored 123 at number 11 position
Mumbai pacer Tushar Deshpande made history by becoming the second player to score a century at this position in Ranji Trophy history. Playing in the quarterfinal match against Baroda in Nagpur, Deshpande scored 123 in the second innings.
2. Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan scored 115 at number 11 position
Former Tamil Nadu player Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan was the first player in Ranji Trophy to hit a ton at this batting position. He accomplished the feat against Delhi in 2001, where he hit 115 runs.
3. Maqsood Kundi
Maqsood Kundi scored 109 runs while playing at the no. 11 position in a domestic match for Muslim Commercial Bank against National Bank. This match happened way back in February 1982.
4. Campbell McMillan
Only one cricketer from Zimbabwe has achieved this feat, and he is Campbell McMillan. He scored 109 off 96 balls against Manicaland and helped his team Midlands reach 292 after being down to 148/9.
5. Ali Raza
Another entrant from Pakistan is Ali Raza, who smashed a hundred for Lahore Whites in a domestic match of 2004. He remained unbeaten on 126 against the Hyderabad team.
6. Arthur Fielder
Former Kent pacer Arthur Fielder also features on this list. Playing for Kent in 1909 against Worcestershire, Fielder scored 112 runs at the last position in the lineup.
