Geoff Howarth 123 vs England at Lords 3rd Test in August 1978

Mr. Devotor

In the 3rd Test at Lord’s, August 1978, New Zealand captain Geoff Howarth played one of the most courageous and skilful innings of his Test career. Battling illness and fatigue, Howarth displayed immense grit to score a magnificent 123 runs off 291 balls in 336 minutes, laced with 14 elegant fours.  He reached his century with his twelfth boundary just minutes before the close of play, in front of a packed Lord’s crowd of 55,334 spectators. Despite struggling with influenza and delaying his entry until after the weekend, Howarth stood tall against England’s attack, anchoring New Zealand’s innings with sheer determination.  His knock not only became his highest Test score at the time but also earned him the Man of the Match award, a fitting recognition of his fighting spirit and class. While New Zealand later collapsed in the second innings and lost the match, Howarth’s innings remains a shining chapter in their cricketing history.  🏏 Relive this classic Test match moment and witness Howarth’s brilliance at the Home of Cricket.  👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more rare cricketing gems and timeless performances!  #GeoffHowarth #NZvsENG #Lords1978 #TestCricket #CricketClassics #NewZealandCricket #CricketHistory #EnglandCricket #CricketHighlights

Transcript

00:00At the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground in August 1978, Geoff Howarth rose to the occasion with

00:06a masterful display of batting.

00:08The New Zealand best man crafted a scintillating knock of 123 runs off, 291 deliveries, spending

00:15336 minutes at the crease and striking 14 exquisite boundaries.

00:20It was an innings of immense character, combining patience, timing and elegance against a probing

00:25English attack.

00:26Geoff Howarth's brilliance ensured New Zealand reached a competitive total of 339 in their

00:32first inning, setting the stage for what could have been a gripping contest.

00:36But cricket, as ever, is a game of two innings and the second proved disaster for the visitors.

00:42New Zealand's batting line-up crumbled under pressure, bundled out for just 67 runs in

00:47a dramatic lap that ended all the hard work of Geoff Howarth's heroics.

00:52England chasing a modest target secured victory by seven wickers.

00:55For Geoff Howarth, it must have been a bittersweet memory, his individual brilliance shining

01:00at the home of cricket, yet his teammates falling to provide the sport needed to turn his artistry

01:06into a famous New Zealand triumph.

01:13And Howarth onto it quickly, worked it away through mid-wicket and just about get four for it.

01:26Now it's sliced away, there's nobody down there at third man, and so Howarth, that's a second

01:31boundary to score, moves on no to eight.

01:38It was nicely played, he gave himself room for that.

01:53Once again to Howarth.

01:54I'm not sure, let's cover the shot.

01:55Nice into position and fairly cluttered it off the bat, pulled through the covers for four.

02:08It's worked it away nicely past slip, brings up a very comfortable fifty-four half, then we move through to take three runs for it.

02:33That's a fine shot, that's four runs all the way in.

02:52They really are giving it a bit of a clubbing out there.

03:05This is a splendid shot from Geoff Howarth.

03:11It's got through very nicely by Howarth, overpitched ball, driven firmly through for four more, takes him into the nineties.

03:23It goes on to 91, score on 262 for five.

03:28Geoff Howarth been battling away for the best part of four and a half hours on 99 now.

03:33And has made no mistake this time, overpitched, and he's absolutely delighted.

03:41Great performances by the New Zealander.

03:44Goes through to his third hundred and touch cricket.

03:47They've all been made against England.

03:49Two in New Zealand last winter, and this is a place that he desperately needed to make one.

03:53He's done it here at Lords.

03:54He goes to 103 out of New Zealand's score of 278 for five.

04:17A slight change of action there, lovely shot.

04:20No need for anybody to chase that.

04:22Perfectly timed, clutch straight.

04:32And that's it.

04:33There's a nick, it's caught behind.

04:34Botham snapped up the wicket he wanted, that of Howarth.

04:37Eight men are out now, score on 321.

04:40And Jeff Howarth, after a stay of a little over five and a half hours, is caught for 123.

04:47Very reliable and safe hands of Bob Taylor behind.

04:59No doubt, Jeff Howarth produced one of the finest innings of his test career.

05:03An effort built on courage, skills, and immense determination.

05:07Batting not just England's bowling attack, but also the efforts of influenza.

05:12Jeff Howarth reached his century with his 12th boundary, just minutes before stumps,

05:17guiding New Zealand to 280 for five.

05:20His stay at the crease touched to five hours and 40 minutes, yielding a valiant 123 runs.

05:26The highest score of his test career laced with 14 crisp force.

05:30What made the knock even more remarkable was the physical toll it took on him.

05:35On the weekend by illness, Jeff Howarth was forced to delay his appearance until after the weekend.

05:40And throughout his time at the crease, he was clearly laboring.

05:44After play he admitted with physical modesty.

05:47I could not sleep last night because of my illness.

05:50And I concentrated on occupying the crease and not doing too much running about.

05:55It was a glimpse into the grit and discipline that defined his cricket.

05:59For his magnificent effort, Jeff Howarth was rightly named Man of the Match award.

06:04While Bob Taylor's consistency earned him the Man of the Series accolade.

06:08The occasion was witnessed by a crowd of 55,334.

06:13Proof that the spectacle of cricket at the home of the game continued to captain imagination.

06:19This was not just a hundred.

06:21It was a statement of character from Jeff Howarth.

06:24Ashed forever into New Zealand cricketing folklore.

06:26If you like this video, please comment, share and subscribe.

06:30Thank you very much.

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