On this day, April 19 in 2006, Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie went down into history books after creating a world record that still stands to this day. However, it was not for his bowling, but for his batting exploits.
The occasion was the second Test match between Bangladesh and Australia in Chattogram. Home captain Habibul Bashar chose to bat first after winning the toss, but three wickets each from Gillespie, Warne, and Macgill restricted Bangladesh to 197 with Rajin Saleh making 71.
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Australia started well with opener Matthew Hayden and Phil Jacques adding 67 runs, but when Hayden fell, Ricky Ponting decided to send in Gillespie as a night-watchman and he went onto make history. Jacques made 66, while Ponting made 52. Even Michael Hussey made 182 in 203 balls with 21 fours and 1 six.
But Jason Gillespie played an innings of a lifetime, making 201* in 574 minutes in 425 balls with 26 fours and 2 sixes. It remains the highest score by a night watchman in Test cricket and he along with Hussey took Australia to 581/4d. Jason Gillespie reached his double century on 19th April, which was also his birthday and he celebrated in grand style.
With a lead of 384 runs, Shane Warne (5/113) and Stuart Macgill (4/95) routed Bangladesh for 304 in second innings and won the match by an innings and 80 runs.
Gillespie was named Man of the Match for his brilliant innings and three wickets. Unfortunately, this proved to be his 71st and final Test match, as he never played for Australia again.
Watch and enjoy his record-breaking innings here:
