In the annals of Test cricket, a batsman's innings of 99 is often remembered as a heart-wrenching tale of unfulfilled ambition, and Bairstow's valiant effort joined an illustrious list of players who have faced a similar fate. Here, we take a closer look at the other members of this exclusive club:
In a challenging encounter against Australia in Perth, England's Geoff Boycott found himself stranded on 99 runs. His impeccable technique and resilience were on full display, but he couldn't manage to reach the three-figure mark.
Former Australian captain Steve Waugh experienced a similar heartbreak during the Perth Test against England in 1995. Known for his tenacity, Waugh battled fiercely but was eventually denied a century.
England's fast bowler Alex Tudor, who had a reputation for his ability with the bat, showcased his skills against New Zealand in Birmingham. However, he fell agonizingly short of a century by just one run.
Renowned South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock demonstrated his class against Sri Lanka at Centurion. Unfortunately, he fell short of a hundred by a solitary run, leaving him stranded on 99 not out.
Andrew Hall of South Africa encountered a memorable battle against England in Leeds. Amidst the intensity of the match, Hall's innings culminated on 99 runs, much to his disappointment.
Misbah-ul-Haq, the former Pakistani captain, displayed his exemplary leadership qualities and batting prowess throughout his career. In the Kingston Test against the West Indies, Misbah was left stranded on 99 runs in what proved to be an emotional and significant innings.
In the ongoing Ashes Test at Manchester, Jonny Bairstow entered the record books as the latest addition to this rarefied list. With determination and skill, Bairstow fought hard against the Australian bowlers. However, the elusive three-figure milestone remained just out of his grasp.