There are a lot of things that take place in the minds of a batter and bowler while the latter is approaching the crease to bowl a delivery. However, there are also a lot of things that take place behind the playing field. Be it strategies or other sorts of aspects, a lot goes on, especially if it is a test match that we are talking about.

And a common strategy for test matches is the age-old one is night watchmen. The strategy to keep proper batters away from challenging conditions and play a bowler in the role of a batter has been tricky and at times, helpful. 

While it has also been a failure, there are some who have made it historic. So let's learn about some of these men who have enjoyed the role of being a night watchman.

• Jack Leach 

Jack Leach showing off his batting talents against Ireland was one of the main reasons why test matches are so interesting. It is also a reason why cricket commentators love the game because a perfect strategy called the night watchman was put to good use when Jack Leach decided to come and change things for the better.  When England were setting up an embarrassing total, it was decided that someone had to come in and protect Jason Roy in the second innings and that’s when Leach made an entry. He went on to build an innings that any team would have been proud to call their own.  His dangerous style of play not only irked the opposition but also helped England win the game with ease.

• Jason Gillespie

While Leach’s innings as a nightwatchman is commendable, Jason Gillespie’s goes a step further into the history books. As a nightwatchman, Gillespie delivered some of the most incredible innings that anyone would have been impressed to see. Of the 420 deliveries that he faced against Bangladesh in 2006, Gillespie helped the score reach 201 and thus, continued to be a hero on the field. While it was not the sort of innings that would have kept fans of the Big Bash League on their toes, it certainly was one that all cricket fans must appreciate. Fueled by a mega partnership with Michael Hussey, Gillespie went on to show why he will go down as one of those players who will end up as one of the best nightwatchmen in cricket history.

• Nicky Boje

Who knew that the best way to create a commanding lead would be to bring in Nicky Boje? Well, it may not have worked for the IPL or even for people involved with IPL betting, it certainly did work when South Africa needed a bit of help against a spirited Indian team at Bangalore in 2000. Battling alongside Gary Kristen, Boje went on to show why a nightwatchman in cricket mattered and how a strategy of this sort can change the game for the better. Boje was on the crease till he touched 85 and was calm and composed throughout the game.  He also helped his team take a commanding lead and his display proved to be vital in helping his team win the series by 2-0. 

• Harold Larwood

Harold Larwood is another top name in the elite list of night watchmen in cricket history and is also one of those players who successfully turned things around for the ones who were involved with cricket betting. As the leader and the one you go to for tactics, Larwood smashed around 98 as a nightwatchman in the final game of the series and ensured that the grounds at Sydney knew exactly what a night watchman can do to a game of cricket.  While it would have been great to see him score a century, his innings played a vital role and was known to be the one that turned the game upside down. While he was one of the fastest bowlers of his time, who also turned out to be a sensation at the Cricket World Cup, here he played the extraordinary role of a night watchman.

• Saqlain Mushtaq 

Whenever Pakistan needed help and wanted a nightwatchman to come on to the crease, they would rely on the extraordinary talent of Saqlain Mushtaq. He was the type of player that had the ability to change cricket betting odds and on several occasions, change the game completely.

He was called on as a nightwatchman on not 1 but 11 occasions and was known to be successful. One of his major highlights featured a partnership with Saeed Anwar and if you can get a glimpse of the same, go ahead and watch it again and again.

Mushtaq was the man to look out for and he proved the same whenever he was given an opportunity to showcase his talent. While some believed that he was new to the idea of a nightwatchman just like how a new sports betting site is new to the industry, many believed that he breathed the role to perfection.

• Ishant Sharma

People have raised several arguments for the type of bowler that Ishant Sharma is but none have questioned his duties as a nightwatchman. While he might not have scored or turned the game around like the rest on this list, he certainly has put every single bone in his body to perfect the role.  He has carried the innings forward and has proven, on several occasions, why there is none like him. And if people still had doubts about him being a nightwatchman, he would immediately stage a comeback as a professional bowler and change things around.  Thanks to all of that, Ishant Sharma is regarded as one of the best night watchmen that the game has produced and would certainly fit the role even if he was called on to perform this duty during the middle of the night.