Jason Gillespie was never known for his batting. The Australian fast bowler built his reputation by troubling batters with the ball, and his job in the lower order was usually to stay at the crease and support
the main batters. But during Australia’s Test tour of Bangladesh in April 2006, Gillespie produced an innings that few could have imagined, scoring an unbeaten 201 against Bangladesh in Chittagong.
The remarkable part was that he had not even been sent in to play as a specialist batter. Gillespie was promoted to No. 3 as a nightwatchman after Australia lost a wicket late on the second day. His task was to survive until the close of play and protect the more established batters from a difficult period.
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From Nightwatchman to Double Centurion
Gillespie began his innings cautiously, concentrating on defence and making Bangladesh work for every wicket. As the innings progressed he grew in confidence and started finding the gaps with greater regularity. His partnership with Michael Hussey became the memorable feature of Australia’s innings.
Hussey scored 182 runs while Gillespie continued to frustrate the Bangladesh bowlers. The pair added 320 runs together, turning what had been a useful position into complete Australian dominance. Gillespie eventually reached his maiden Test century and kept going. On his 31st birthday, he brought up 200 before finishing unbeaten on 201 from 425 balls, with 26 fours. Australia declared at 581/4, securing a first-innings lead of 384 runs.
His innings broke the previous record for the highest Test score by a nightwatchman, surpassing Tony Mann’s 105 against India in 1977. Gillespie had entered the match with a previous Test best of 54 not out and finished the match by scoring his first ever double century.
