The Untold Story Behind Dennis Amiss' Historic 100th First-Class Century

During the recent England-India Test series, Indian batsmen created many new records for the number of hundreds scored. Out of them three hundred were in the news for the way they were scored:

At Lords, KL Rahul was criticised for the haste in completing his century before Lunch on the third day and the process reportedly led to Rishabh Pant#39;s dismissal just before the break.

At Old Trafford, England captain Ben Stokes accused Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja of continuing the batting, when their effort had already ensured an honourable draw for India. He believed that the lack of a century beside their names would not have diminished their efforts.

As the final hour of play began, Stokes offered India a handshake but with Jadeja on 89 and Washington on 80, the visitors refused. Play continued for five more overs, with part timers Brook and Joe Root bowling, preserving the frontline bowlers. Both Jadeja (his fifth) and Washington (his first) recorded the 100 and the Test was drawn immediately.

What happened at Old Trafford was not at all unique. On many occasions in the past, play in the Test had continued to facilitate reaching a particular milestone or the Test ending in a draw on achieving a particular milestone. Thats why Stokes didnt evoke much support for his handshake offer and then made refusal an issue.

There is one incident in cricket which is unique and shows a different shade of opposing captain, on the same issue.

Former England and Warwickshire batsman Dennis Amiss scored 43423 runs in first class cricket at 42.86 with 102 hundreds in a career stretching from 1960 to 1987. With the advent of limited overs cricket, the quantum of first-class cricket matches has reduced considerably making a record of scoring a 100 of hundreds practically not feasible for the batsmen of the modern era. Dennis Amiss recorded the feat in 1986 and after him only Mark Ramprakash recorded this feat, missed by even Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar. Thats why, when near the milestone, how important it was for Dennis Amiss to complete his 100 of hundreds.

He scored his 100th hundred on July 29th, 1986, but with an almost unknown drama. In a Britannic Assurance County Championship 1986 match between Lancashire and Warwickshire at Edgbaston, Birmingham on 26th, 28th, 29th July 1986, Dennis Amiss achieved the feat. Warwickshire won the toss and the decision to bat first backfired as they collapsed for 138 only with Amiss scoring 33 runs. Lancs replied with 293 for 9 declared. Warwickshire batted for a draw turning it into a dead game. By the time, scheduled close reached Amiss was all set to score a hundred. He knew that he is not likely to play much thereafter and will not get opportunities to score a hundred. He requested Lancashire skipper Clive Lloyd to continue playing for an extra half hour, so he could reach the landmark. Clive Lloyd was so generous that he not only agreed but helped by bringing on part-time bowlers. Amiss ultimately finished at 101 not out.

Amiss recalled, I never ever thought I would get to 100 first-class hundreds. I was going well on the day but then when I got to 98 or 99 it started to become hard going. I talked Lancashire into staying on the pitch, as there was nothing in the game and Clive Lloyd agreed to allow me to pass 100. A few years previously Id been thinking of retiring but David Brown, who was manager of the time, said that I had 86 hundreds and that they wanted me to continue. So, I continued until I was 44. It will be difficult for people to get 100 hundreds now because they play fewer games, but it was a real honour.rdquo;

As per newspaper reports of the match, pack up time was 5.30 and Amiss was 62 not out. Amiss promised to get the runs as quickly as possible but simultaneously had to bribe the Lancashire players with the promise of champagne. Lloyd helped with some friendly bowling from John Abrahams and Neil Fairbrother. Lloyd had said, Dennis is one of the best players England have produced, and it was only fair to let him try for his century.rdquo;

Surprisingly in his autobiography Not Out at Close of Play: A Life in Cricket, Dennis Amiss admits that it felt wrong, but his powers were fading and he didnt feel he had many more chances left. As it turned out, he made 102 first class centuries.

He recorded the feat at the age of 43 and was at his aggressive best even at that time, scoring an unbeaten 101 out of 162 scored during his stay at the wicket.

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Amiss recalls, When I received my MBE from the Queen, she said I hear youve joined a very famous club. I thought perhaps she meant Edgbaston Priory Lawn Tennis Club. Then I realised she was talking about the 100 hundreds.rdquo;