Reaching a century in Test cricket marks a significant achievement, yet converting that into a double hundred demands extraordinary reserves of concentration, patience, and resolve. For a select few, however, the dream of joining the 200-club has evaporated in the most agonising fashion imaginable. Falling for 199 remains one of the game’s most brutal near-misses, a solitary run standing between a masterful innings and a career-defining milestone.
Across the decades, several elite batters have suffered this specific heartbreak, falling short despite dominating opposition attacks. Here are five renowned cricketers who were dismissed for 199 in Test cricket.
Five iconic players dismissed for 199 in Test cricket
1. Sanath Jayasuriya (199 vs India, 1997)
Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya was at the zenith of his powers in 1997, blending explosive stroke-play with remarkable consistency. During the second Test against India in Colombo, the left-handed opener extended his phenomenal run of form with another commanding innings.
Fresh from a historic 340 in the previous Test, Jayasuriya appeared poised for a second consecutive double century. Yet his quest ended a single run short when Indian seamer Abey Kuruvilla bowled him for 199. It was a devastating conclusion to an innings that had once again showcased his capacity to dismantle bowling attacks.
2. Steve Waugh (199 vs West Indies, 1999)
Australian captain Steve Waugh forged his reputation on resilience, composure, and an uncanny ability to thrive under pressure. Those traits were on full display during the third Test against the West Indies in Bridgetown in 1999, where he crafted a defiant innings against a formidable bowling unit.
Waugh looked destined for a double century before his vigil ended at 199. West Indies off-spinner Nehemiah Perry trapped him leg-before-wicket, denying the Australian great entry into Test cricket’s exclusive double-century club. The dismissal carried a unique distinction: Waugh became the first batter in Test history to be dismissed for 199 via an lbw decision.
3. Steve Smith (199 vs West Indies, 2015)
Steve Smith has established himself as one of Australia’s premier modern Test batters, renowned for his unorthodox technique and prolific run-scoring. Yet his mastery could not prevent a painful near-miss against the West Indies in Kingston in 2015.
Smith batted with immense discipline, meticulously constructing his innings while neutralising the home attack. As he edged toward what would have been a maiden Test double century, the milestone seemed inevitable.
That prospect vanished when pacer Jerome Taylor trapped him lbw on 199. Smith was left stranded a solitary run short of 200, rendering the dismissal a particularly bitter moment in an otherwise supreme innings.
4. KL Rahul (199 vs England, 2016)
KL Rahul produced one of the finest Test innings of his career against England in Chennai in December 2016. The Indian opener combined elegant stroke-play with impeccable timing, subjecting the visiting bowlers to sustained pressure throughout his memorable knock.
Rahul appeared certain to reach a maiden Test double century, but his innings concluded in dramatic fashion when he feathered a delivery from Adil Rashid to Jos Buttler at point. With the scoreboard frozen at 199, the Indian batter missed the landmark by the narrowest of margins.
The dismissal transformed what promised to be a historic personal milestone into a lingering regret, despite Rahul’s exceptional contribution with the bat.
5. Faf du Plessis (199 vs Sri Lanka, 2020)
Former South African captain Faf du Plessis agonisingly missed a maiden Test double century against Sri Lanka at Centurion in December 2020. He compiled an impressive innings, blending controlled aggression with sound technique against the tourists.
Du Plessis accumulated runs steadily and looked increasingly assured as his score approached 200. However, his pursuit of the milestone ended when he launched an attacking shot against Wanindu Hasaranga only to find a fielder, leaving him stranded on 199.
It was a frustrating conclusion to a magnificent knock, made all the more bitter because du Plessis had already navigated the hardest portion of the journey toward the landmark.
Other batters to fall for 199 in Test cricket
Several other distinguished players have endured the same disappointment. The list includes Pakistan’s Mudassar Nazar and Younis Khan, India’s Mohammad Azharuddin, Australia’s Matthew Elliott, England’s Ian Bell, South Africa’s Dean Elgar, and Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews.
These innings underscore the razor-thin margins that separate individual glory in Test cricket. While reaching 199 is itself an extraordinary feat, the prospect of missing a double century by a single run renders the achievement distinctly bittersweet. For these batters, the score remains a permanent reminder of the format’s unpredictability, even when a player appears in absolute command.