To score 99 in a Test match is the ultimate "what-if" scenario. On 66 occasions in Test history, batsmen have trooped back to the pavilion, muttering under their breath, wondering why-oh-why did they play that shot, or attempt that run, or charge down the wicket with their head in the air, a la John Wright at Christchurch in 1991-92. But to be left stranded on 99, without even being given the chance to hoof the ball half-heartedly to midwicket, is even worse. And Shaun Pollock, who was watching from the non-striker's end as South Africa's No. 11, Makhaya Ntini, attempted to launch Chaminda Vaas in the stands, today became the fourth member of one of cricket's most exclusive clubs.

Geoffrey Boycott was the first player to be left stranded on 99, in the first Test against Australia at Perth in 1979-80. It was a bold and typically gritty rearguard from Boycott, who had recorded a duck in the first innings, but became only the third Englishman to carry his bat against Australia in the second. But he was left high and dry when Geoff Dymock dismissed Graham Dilley, Derek Underwood and Bob Willis in the space of four runs, to complete Australia's 138-run victory.

The second instance was again at Perth, in 1994-95, and again England were the visitors. But this time it was an Australian, Steve Waugh, who was left stranded, and in tragi-comic circumstances. With only the injured Craig McDermott for company, Waugh had been making painstaking progress towards his eighth Test century, but with fulfilment in sight, McDermott's runner took off for a suicidal single and was run out by a distance. To make matters worse, the culprit was none other than Steve's brother, Mark.

The third 99 not out was perhaps the most memorable of the lot. Alex Tudor, making his home debut in a topsy-turvy match against New Zealand, had come in as a nightwatchman on the second evening, with England 3 for 1 needing 208 for victory. Twenty-one wickets had fallen in the day, for a total of 236 runs, so victory was by no means a certainty.

But Tudor was oblivious to this, and on the third day he unfurled a range of strokes that dripped with calypso panache. Mark Butcher and Nasser Hussain played supporting roles, and when Hussain fell at 174, England needed just 37 to win, with seven wickets standing. Sadly for Tudor, and the packed house eagerly awaiting a piece of romance with which to start the series, Graham Thorpe failed to capture the mood. He galloped to 21 at a run-a-ball, leaving Tudor needing a six from the final ball to post his maiden hundred. He did his best, but could only top-edge Craig McMillan for four.

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