Who played the slowest innings in Test cricket?

The cricketer with the dubious distinction of playing the slowest innings in the history of Test cricket is former New Zealand fast bowler Geoffery Allot. On March 2, 1999, which was the fourth day of the first Test of the South Africa tour of New Zealand, played at Eden Park, Auckland, Allot came to the crease, at No. 11, with New Zealand on 320-9, in response to South Africa’s impressive first innings total of 621-5 declared. With his side still needing 102 runs to avoid the follow-on, Allot was involved in a 32-run last-wicket stand with Chris Harris, who had come in a No. 5 and went on to score a respectable 68 not out.

However, despite batting for 101 minutes and facing 77 deliveries, Allot was eventually caught by Shaun Pollock off the bowling of Jacques Kallis without troubling the scorer. In so doing, he broke the uwanted record, previously held by former England wicketkeeper Godfrey Evans, for the slowest innings in Test history. Although his strike rate was 0.00, Allot did, at least, occupy the crease for over an hour-and-a-half. New Zealand followed on, reaching 244-3 at close of play on the fifth and final day and the match was drawn. For the record, the second Test at Lancaster Park, Christchurch was also drawn and South Africa won the third Test at basin Reserve, Wellington by eight wickets, thereby winning the Test series 1-0.

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