The most thrilling MCG Tests of all time
After this year’s Boxing Day Test went down to the wire, it was a timely reminder the MCG has dished up some stunning results over the decades.
After this year’s Boxing Day Test went down to the wire, it was a timely reminder that the MCG has dished up some thrilling results over the decades. We take a look back at some of the best, going all the way back to the very start of Test cricket.
Australia v England, 1877
In the first Test ever played, Australia looked to be in trouble after being dismissed for 104 in its second innings. Needing only 154 to win, England collapsed for 108, with Tom Kendall taking 7-55 for a 45-run home win
Australia v England, 1902
After a poor first innings of 144 and 255 in the second, Australia set England 211 for victory. But after the visitors put together an opening partnership of 40, Monty Noble (6-98) and Hugh Trumble (3-64) ran through the England line-up, dismissing them for 178 and securing a 32-run victory.
Australia v England, 1908
England needed 282 for victory and Australia looked in control as wickets tumbled steadily, with the home side losing its ninth wicket on 243. But Syd Barnes (38no) and 11th man Arthur Fielder (18no) guided the visitors to a one-wicket victory.
Australia v England, 1950
In a Test in which no team managed an innings of 200, England’s target of 179 for victory was always going to be touch and go. Bill Johnston (4-26) and Ray Lindwall (3-29) ensured wickets tumbled as England fell for 150 and Australia won by 28 runs.
Australia v West Indies, 1951
Australia’s bowlers – led by Ray Lindwall, Keith Miller and Bill Johnston – kept the home side in the Test, dismissing the West Indies for 203 in their second innings, leaving Australia needing 260 to win. Lindsay Hassett (102) anchored the innings but steadily lost partners and Australia was in trouble when he was dismissed at 8-218. But leg-spinner Doug Ring put together an innings of 32no as Australia reached the target with the loss of nine wickets.
Australia v West Indies, 1961
In a series that had already produced the famous first tied Test, the fifth match was also a nailbiter. Australia needed 258 to win and finished day four at 1-57. Bob Simpson led the way but fell short of his century, out for 92 with the score 3-154. The Australian batsmen managed to eke out enough runs reaching the target with eight wickets down.
Australia v England, 1974
When England’s second innings finished late on day four, Australia needed 246 to win and went to stumps 0-4. But two quick wickets on the fifth morning, including captain Ian Chappell for a duck, put the visitors on top. All results were possible late in the day but the Test finished with a draw with Australia 8-238, eight runs short of victory and England needing two more wickets.
Australia v England, 1977 (centenary Test)
Australia set England a highly challenging 463 to win but the tourists finished day four on 2-191. A supreme innings from Derek Randall (174) kept the visitors’ hopes alive and when he was finally dismissed England was 5-346, needing another 117 runs. The wicket of Tony Greig at 6-369 unlocked the tail and England fell for 417 giving Australia a famous 45-run win – the same margin as the first ever Test – as Dennis Lillee took 5-139.
Australia v India, 1981
Australia needed just 143 for victory after an Allan Border first-innings century (124) had put the hosts in command. But Karsan Ghavri and Dilip Doshi took three quick wickets as Australia finished day four 3-24. Things didn’t get better for the Australian batsmen, who were routed for 83, with Kapil Dev taking 5-24 and Doug Walters topscoring with just 18no.
Australia v West Indies, 1981
In a low-scoring match, Michael Holding (6-61) reduced Australia to 222 in the second innings, leaving the West Indies with a target of 220 to win. But off-spinner Bruce Yardley (4-38) and Dennis Lillee (3-44) led the Australian bowlers, leaving the visitors 9-159 at the end of day four. Lillee wrapped up the victory early on day five as the West Indies finished all out for 161.
Australia v England, 1982
One of the greatest Test finishes of all time. Australia needed 292 runs to win but the wickets fell steadily and despite the efforts of David Hookes (68), Kim Hughes (48) and Allan Border (44no), Australia finished day four 9-255. Border and No 11 batsman Jeff Thomson came out on day five and held off the English bowlers, adding 33 runs before Ian Botham drew an edge from Thomson that was snatched at slip by Geoff Miller for a famous three-run Ashes victory.
Australia v Pakistan, 1983
Pakistan began day five 3-38 and looking in danger of defeat after Graham Yallop scored 268 in Australia’s first innings of 555. At 5-81 and still four runs behind, things looked dire for Pakistan but captain Imran Khan (72) and Zaheer Abbas (50) thwarted the bowlers and the visitors held on, finishing the day on 7-238.
Australia v West Indies, 1984
The West Indies declared early on day five, setting Australia a near impossible target of 370, meaning survival was the name of the game. Australia collapsed to 3-17 but a rearguard action from Andrew Hilditch (113) and Allan Border (41) saved the day as Australia finished the day 8-198, surviving by two wickets. Joel Garner took 3-49.
Australia v New Zealand, 1987
New Zealand was dismissed early on day five for 286, leaving Australia needing 247 to win in almost a full day’s play. But wickets tumbled steadily as Australia limped to 9-230 at stumps, leaving Australia 17 runs and New Zealand one wicket short of victory. David Boon topscored with 54 and Richard Hadlee took 5-67, while Craig McDermott and Mike Whitney were the surviving batsmen.
Australia v South Africa, 1997
South Africa began day five on 1-79, needing 381 for victory. But Jacques Kallis (101) and captain Hansie Cronje (70) held off the Australian bowlers and the match was drawn with the visitors 7-273.
Australia v England, 1998
On a dramatic day four, England began 2-65 but collapsed to be all out for 244, leaving Australia needing 175 to win. But paceman Dean Headley had other ideas, taking 6-60 as Australia was dismissed for 162, with Mark Waugh topscoring with 43 and the last three wickets falling for one run.
Australia v India, 2014
Australia declared in the first session of day 5, setting India a target of 384 runs. Despite reducing India to 3-31 after 16 overs, Australia was unable to run through the middle order – with Virat Kohli (54) and Ajinkya Rahane (48) leading the resistance – and the visitors held on for a draw, losing only six wickets.
Watch: Owen’s record-equalling ton seals Hurricanes’ first BBL title
Mitch Owen has guided the Hobart Hurricanes to an incredible victory in the BBL final to claim their first title in the league’s history.
‘Pretty cooked’: Overworked Head to give up American dream
Travis Head will scale back his franchise T20 commitments to balance Australian, Big Bash and IPL contracts with his young family, saying time in America left him ‘pretty cooked’.