5 batters to score a century in Farewell Test series

It is every batter's dream to represent his country in Test cricket, but from there the dream of scoring a century in the white jersey is not far away. Flipping through the pages of the history books, many legends have wowed the crowd with numerous centuries in their Test careers. But many great players couldn't sign off on their career on a high note.

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Drawing the curtains on their cricketing journey with a century will be a perfect end to their illustrious career. Such amazing knocks can make the player reconsider his retirement decision as he/she has more left in his tank. In this article, we take a look at six batters who scored centuries in their farewell Test 

5. Dean Elgar 

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Former South African captain Dean Elgar is the latest entry in this elite list. The 36-year-old hit his 14th Test hundred on Day 2 of the 2023 Boxing Day Test against India in Centurion. Ahead of the two-match series, Elgar had announced that the India series would be his last dance. The southpaw brought up his century with 20 boundaries off just 141 balls, and importantly, he put South Africa in command with a score of 185. 

4. David Warner 

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David Warner, who announced his retirement from red-ball cricket after the three-match series against Pakistan, scored a brilliant hundred in the first Test in Perth. The veteran opener was dismissed for 164 off 211 balls. His sensational first innings knock gave Australia a huge victory by a margin of 360 runs. 

3. Brendon McCullum

One of the greatest openers in New Zealand's history, Brendon McCullum ended his Test career with a 79-ball 145 against Australia in Christchurch. Notably, he was the captain in his farewell Test (second test of the 2016 Australia tour of New Zealand). However, McCullum's blazing hundred went in vain as Australia won the match by seven wickets.  

2. Jacques Kallis

One of the greatest all-rounders in the history of cricket, Jacques Kallis scored 115 vs India in Durban and steered South Africa to a strong position in the second Test. The crowd and Kallis' teammates gave him a standing ovation when he reached the milestone of 273 deliveries.

1. Alastair Cook 

Sir Alastair Nathan Cook smashed his 33rd Test ton (147 runs) against India at The Oval in  2018. Considered one of the greatest opening batters in the longer format, Cook is the fifth batter in history to score a century on his debut and final Test. His illustrious career began with an unbeaten 104 against India in Nagpur in 2006.