Declared in Test cricket, it’s one of the game’s most compelling tactical elements. A declaration represents a fine balance between aggression and caution, ambition and prudence. When timed perfectly, it can set up a famous victory. But when miscalculated, it can turn into a captain’s nightmare, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Over the years, several captains have declared in Test cricket with bold intent, only to see their well-laid plans unravel as the opposition dug deep and denied them success.
The phrase “Declared in Test Cricket” often brings to mind moments of brilliance, but this list focuses on the flip side, the gambles that didn’t pay off. Here, we look at the Top 10 Times Captains Declared in Test Cricket Too Early, when declaration decisions backfired spectacularly and became cautionary tales in cricketing folklore.
10. Kane Williamson vs England, Lord’s 2021
Williamson declared at 169/6 in the second innings, setting England 273 to chase in 75 overs. England, with a cautious Joe Root at the helm, opted to play for a draw. The gamble didn’t pay off. Williamson declared in Test cricket too early, misjudging England’s intent.
| NZ 2nd Inn | Declared | England 2nd Inn | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 169/6 | Yes | 170/3 | Match drawn |
9. Virat Kohli vs Sri Lanka, Delhi 2017
Kohli declared at 536/7 and again at 246/5, setting Sri Lanka a target of 410. Despite early wickets, SL batted over 100 overs on a polluted final day to draw the Test. India had declared in Test cricket, assuming the conditions would break the visitors, but they didn’t.
| India 1st Inn | Declared | SL 2nd Inn | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 536/7 | Yes | 299/5 | Match drawn |
8. Alastair Cook vs South Africa, Centurion 2016
England declared at 326/9 in their second innings, setting South Africa a target of 381. The Proteas chased it down comfortably with 7 wickets in hand, thanks to an AB de Villiers masterclass. Cook declared in Test cricket, hoping to force a result, only to be outclassed.
| England 2nd Inn | Declared | SA Chase | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 326/9 | Yes | 382/3 | SA won by 7 wickets |
7. Ricky Ponting vs England, Adelaide 2006
Australia declared at 551/6 in the first innings. England replied with 513 and then collapsed for 129 in the second innings, losing the match. While it wasn’t a declaration failure, Ponting himself had earlier declared too soon in similar circumstances; this time it worked, other times, not so much. Declared in Test Cricket moments are often hit or miss; this one narrowly avoided backlash.
| Australia 1st Inn | Declared | England 2nd Inn | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 551/6 | Yes | 129 all out | Australia won |
6. Steve Waugh vs India, Chennai 2001
Australia declared at 572/7. But India produced one of their greatest counterattacks. Laxman (281) and Dravid (180) flipped the game. India declared on 657 and bowled Australia out in the final innings. A classic case of declared in Test cricket too early without accounting for the unexpected.
| Australia 1st Inn | Declared | India 2nd Inn | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 572/7 | Yes | 657/7d | India won by 171 runs |
5. Nasser Hussain vs India, Trent Bridge 2002
Hussain declared at 617/5 after centuries from Vaughan and Stewart. India responded with 424 and then batted through the final day after England set a target of 374. Dravid and Ganguly denied England the win. England had declared in Test cricket with overconfidence.
| England 1st Inn | Declared | India 2nd Inn | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 617/5 | Yes | 424 & 221/3 | Match drawn |
4. Brian Lara vs India, St. John’s 2006
Lara declared at 172/5 to set India a tricky target of 392 in 126 overs. India, instead of going for the win, batted out 112 overs and secured a draw. Rahul Dravid’s 68 and Laxman’s 63 anchored the innings. He declared in Test cricket too early against a side content with survival.
| WI 2nd Inn | Declared | India 2nd Inn | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 172/5 | Yes | 298/4 | Match drawn |
3. Mike Atherton vs South Africa, Old Trafford 1998
England declared their second innings at 261/2, giving South Africa 271 to chase in 76 overs. Hansie Cronje and Gary Kirsten took the chase by storm, and South Africa won by 4 wickets with time to spare. A textbook case of having declared in Test cricket with a misjudged bowling strength.
| England 2nd Inn | Declared | SA Chase | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 261/2 | Yes | 275/6 | SA won by 4 wickets |
2. Graeme Smith vs India, Kolkata 2010
South Africa declared at 558/6, seemingly in full control. But they underestimated the batting might of India. A double hundred from Sehwag and centuries from Sachin and Laxman propelled India to 643. India then bowled out South Africa in the 2nd innings and won by an innings. Declared in Test Cricket too early and too confidently.
| SA 1st Inn | Declared | India 1st Inn | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 558/6 | Yes | 643 | India won by an innings |
1. Michael Clarke vs South Africa, Adelaide 2012
Australia declared twice in this match, once at 550/5 and again at 267/8, hoping to bowl out a resilient South Africa. But Faf du Plessis’ heroic 110* on debut turned the tide, and the Proteas held on for a draw after batting for 148 overs in the final innings. Declared in Test Cricket too early? Absolutely.
| Australia 1st Inn | Declared | SA Response | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 550/5 | Yes | Draw (248 & 248/8) | Match drawn |
READ MORE:
