Bob Cowper's 307 — Australia's Longest Test Innings, MCG, February 1966

The 1965-66 Ashes was a drawn series; this fifth Test at Melbourne was the last of five draws, with England unable to bowl Australia out on flat pitches. Cowper had been in consistent form through the series without previously reaching three figures.

Bob Cowper was a left-handed Victorian batsman of classical technique but limited strokeplay — a fact that made his 307 a remarkable combination of endurance and skill rather than domination. He batted for 727 minutes, faced 585 balls and hit 20 fours. England's bowlers tried everything on a flat MCG pitch: Snow's pace, Brown's swing, Allen and Titmus's spin. None could shift him. Cowper reached 200 shortly before lunch on the second day; he passed 300 in the afternoon session and was finally out for 307, caught by Barber off Brown. He had been at the crease through the whole of Australia's innings until the final session of the second day. Mike Smith, England's captain, described it as the most relentless innings he had ever endured on the field. The match was drawn on the fifth day. Cowper averaged 46.61 in Test cricket across 27 matches but is remembered, almost exclusively, for this one extraordinary innings.