Cricket: Some classic knocks to savour

Stephen Fleming's epic 274 not out in Colombo in 2003, one of his finest innings, denied Sri Lanka a tenth straight test win at home. Photo / AP

Three of New Zealand’s hottest innings of the last 25 years

1. Mark Greatbatch's 146 not out at Perth staves off defeat against Australia.

In this 1989 epic, Australia made 521 for nine and asked New Zealand to follow on after dismissing them for 231. Early wickets on a fast, bouncy WACA, left Greatbatch - assisted by Jeff Crowe and Martin Snedden - to bat for five minutes shy of 11 hours and face 485 balls to save the test.

Greatbatch didn't play the cut shot until the final half hour and resisted a barrage of sledging. He also suffered the ignominy of forgetting his trousers on the final morning and pulled on the less-forgiving strides of John Bracewell. Fortunately, someone fetched his from the hotel laundry by lunch, adding comfort to a glorious afternoon.

2. Stephen Fleming's 274 not out (and 69 not out) at Colombo halt Sri Lanka's home record.

Colombo is no stranger to producing atmospheric sweat boxes. The Sri Lankan capital didn't disappoint during April 2003, scene for one of Fleming's finest occupations. He battled through seven minutes shy of 11 hours to make what was then the second-highest test score by a New Zealander before declaring in an effort to take late wickets on the second day.

Fleming admitted to the Wisden Bulletin that he struggled to read off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, but provided an antidote in the form of a big front stride. Sri Lanka's hopes of a 10th consecutive test win at home were quashed.

3. Ross Taylor's 142 (and 74) at Colombo end New Zealand's losing test record.

This was stoic resistance when, in hindsight, it was revealed his captaincy was under threat. New Zealand had lost five tests in a row but Taylor constructed an unlikely 167-run victory before officially getting ousted from his post when he returned from the tour.

As the sun and air combined to create a humidity prison, Taylor and Kane Williamson produced a third-wicket stand of 262 in the first innings, a New Zealand record for any partnership in Sri Lanka.

In the second innings, Taylor, amid what must have been a considerable stress, built New Zealand's lead so his team didn't suffer the ignominy of equalling the national record of six-straight test losses.