When it comes to cricket, one day international and T20 definitely represent the most exciting and thrilling cricket formats. However if we go through the history of test cricket, there are ample test matches that have enthralled the spectators with most unpredictable results and unique records.
Some of the greatest cricket players have entertained the spectators with their excellent test match strategies and patience. How about looking into few most memorable test cricket matches in the history of cricket?
England v Australia at The Oval, 22-27 Aug 1968 (5th test match)
This match is pretty much about the thrilling performance of English bowler Underwood who took 8 wickets to win the match against Australian cricket team in second innings. It was in the midst of a cluster of eight or nine close fielders where Deadly Derek Underwood worked magic with the ball off an uncovered pitch. England in its first innings scored 494 runs and Australia scored 324. In the second innings, England was only able to take a lead of 181 runs. However the English team defended this total brilliantly with Underwood at work and Australia was all out on 125 runs.
England v Australia at Melbourne, 26-30 Dec 1998 (4th test cricket match)
This test match was pretty much about the marathon final session when Headley ripped the heart out of Australian cricket team with 6 for 60, followed by irrepressible Darren Gough coming up to remove the tail. In the first innings, England set a total of 270 runs in response to which Australia took a lead of 70 runs. England could only take a lead of 172 runs but with its outstanding bowling attack was able to dismiss Australian team at 162 in second innings. Steve Waugh of Australia reached 7000 test runs whereas Darren Gough of England took his 50th wicket against Australia. Mark Waugh of Australia also completed 1000runs in a calendar year. Ian Healy took his 350th catch.
Pakistan v India at Chennai, 28 Jan – 1 Feb 1999 (First test)
It was a great test match which was decided by thrilling 12 runs. Saqlain Mushtaq of Pakistan cricket team and Kumble of India took the bowling honors in the first innings. In the first innings, Pakistan scored 238 runs and Kumble of India took 6 wickets. In response, India was able to take a lead of 16 runs only as Saqlain Mushtaq with his exceptional bowling was able to take five wickets. Final score for India was to chase 270 runs to win the match where Shahid Afridi played the innings of his test cricket by scoring 141 runs. Indian batting collapsed in front of Saqlain Mushtag who again took five wickets.
New Zealand v West Indies at Hamilton, 16-20 Dec 1999 (First set)
As West Indies tood at 276/0 towards the end of the first day, it was almost impossible to think of a nine wicket New Zealand win. Vettori of New Zealand with four wickets was well supported by Nash and Cairns. New Zealand took a lead with the help of 72 runs of Cairns. On the fourth day of this test match, West Indies collapsed quite immediately with 3 wickets down on 1 run but due to rain intervention, West Indies had to stop at 66/4. On the final day, Cairns was unstoppable as he took 7 wickets off 27 runs and restricted West Indies at 97 making it easy for New Zealand to cruise to victory.
Australia v Sri Lanka at Colombo 17-22 August 1992 (1st test)
Although Healy took Australia to a reasonable total of 256 in the first innings, however, the centuries of Gurusinha and Kaluwitharana made a significance contribution that helped Sri Lanka take a lead of 291. In response, Australia in second innings took a lead of 180 runs and Sri Lanka needed 181 runs to win. After a good start, however, Sri Lanka lost their last 8 wickets just for 47 runs whereby providing Australia with success.