Best Test matches in your lifetime

[Johnson#26]

Australia, or otherwise.

I've been following cricket properly since the 3rd test vs the windies in 2000/2001 at the adelaide oval (funky miller and lara motm/bog, gilly the skipper), so i'll choose my starting point as 2001/2002 (excluding the indian series of 00/01, which was amazing to listen to on the radio, but i was too inexperienced to understand its true meaning).

i'll rank them tomorrow, but for now, my top few, in no order:

-3rd test aus vs nz 01/02 at the waca. 4x nz centuries, lou vincent on debut, warney's 99
-1st test aus vs rsa 01/02 at jburg. gilly phenominal. australia ruthless (just the form of the team was at its peak right there and then)
-2nd test aus vs rsa 01/02 at cape town. gilly at his peak, warney's 100th test, punter brings up the win with a ton. the height of the hayden/langer era
-2nd test aus vs india 03/04 at the adelaide oval. aus great first dig, then india with dravid at the helm worked back into the contest. interesting aussie side, too. williams, katich back for a second crack, waugh, bichel's last test
-2nd test ashes 2005 - say no more
-4th test ashes 2005 - that was amazing to listen to on the radio at night
-2nd test ashes 06/07 at the adelaide oval. amazing fightback on the final day. warney stirred the blood. remember watching g.jones and giles trying to stem the tide while at big w, of all places, on the many tellys on there

as for the odi's, the best ever odi i have ever watched or listened to was aus vs nz, in the third last group match at the mcg in 2001/2002, when bevan was superb. i was never his greatest fan, but his innings that night will live with me forever. warney, lee and bichel were inspiring with the bat, too. did not back down for a second.

will also add the best innings i have ever seen - or my favourite, at least - steve waugh's 102 vs england to save his career at the scg in the 5th test 2002/2003. felt so inspired by his determination. so brave, so resolute. warne and lee's batting in the 2005 ashes was similarly as inspiring, too.

 

[Spikey]

Aus - SA last season in Aus. No test in particular. They were all amazing.

 

[Bomber Bears]

I really enjoyed the 98 and 01 series in india on the radio, but it isnt quite the same as watching them live/on tv, so i'll stick with tests i have actually watched

Number 1 is definately the 2nd Ashes test in 2005 at Edgbastion. Absolutely brilliant game. This was my favourite series of cricket as well, enjoyed every test

The match in Hobart in about 99 was a ripper, where langer and Gilchrist chased a huge last day total.

Really enjoyed being at the 4th Ashes test in 06/07, watching Australia tear through england at the MCG

Definately agreed re Steve Waugh, my favourite innings by an Australian.

 

[Ferris_rules]

The miracle of Kolkata is something that is tattooed in my brain, how we lost that test match having made India follow on then have them 4-230 odd still needing 100+ runs to make us bat again is beyond me.

Since then the landscape has changed in regards to teams enforcing the follow on.

 

[Subaru Impreza]

Australia V West Indies 1993 4th Test match, WI won by 1 run, McDermott almost pulled the mother of all miracles

Australia V South Africa 1994, 2nd Test match, South Africa winning by 5 runs, Australia collapsed like a deck of cards chasing 117 to win. Famous for making Damien Martyn a scapegoat, didnt get a lookin for a long time.

Australia V Pakistan 1999, 2nd Test match, Gilly and Langer saving Australia with a 250+ run partnership in chasing 369.

India V Australia 2001 2nd Test match, great innings by VVS Laxman and Dravid to turnaround a dire situation. It also ended Australia's 16 game unbeaten run in test matches

West Indies V Australia 2003, 4th Test match, Windies chased down 418 world record to win from no where.

England V Australia 2005, 2nd Test match, Lee, Kaspa and Warney almost getting the Aussies home, falling agonisingly short.

Australia V England 2006, 2nd Test match, Aussies winning from the absolute death in this game, Warney won us the game with the ball in the 2nd innings

England V India 2007, 1st Test match, England were a wicket away from claiming the match but rain went to save India. India went on to win the series 1-0.

Australia V South Africa 2008 1st Test match WACA, South africa chasing down 2nd highest target ever and achieved it in losing only 3 2nd innings wickets

Australia V South Africa 2008, 2nd Test Match WACA, South Africa knocking Aussies off their perch on home soil. It actually was a pretty game all round too, with ebbs and flows both ways.

 

[Marklar_33]

SI, couldnt help but notice Australia lost most of those matches (assuming you are an Aussie supporter here, like me) but I agree with them all as cracking Test matches.

 

[Hellgood]

Any match of the 05 Ashes belongs here.

South Africa v Australia, Johannesburg, 2006 - Mostly forgotten considering the series was overseas and that it was the dead rubber. Basically a less intense version of Edgbaston, Langer knocked out first ball in his 100th test, bowlers track, Martyn makes a grerat century to get us close and Lee and Kasprowicz finish it off - just, only really a one wicket win because Langer couldn't bat.

http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/238203.html

I'll try and think of some more later.

 

[Hellgood]

Bangladesh v Australia, Fatullah 2006 - Also forgotten because it wasn't the game Gillespie scored 201, overseas and against Bangladesh, but we nearly lost! They carved us up on day one, but MacGill managed 8 wickets, In reply we were 6-93, looking in massive trouble chasing 427, but Gilchrist played superbly for 144 taking us to 269. The Bangladeshi's were bowled out pretty fast and we chased down 307 seven down thanks to a Ponting century.

http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/238171.html

 

[XFactor1979]

australia v windies at adelaide oval - the one where the windies won by a run

india v australia at kolkata- the one where australia forced india to follow on and copped 657 big ones. the third test in that series was also a ripper

the new years test match 2008, australia v india- "bollyline" the match when australia and india had a gutful of each other

 

[roostersgal4eva]

Aus vs WI in 95 or 96 where Steve made 200 and he was back up by centuriues to Junior and Blewy

Aust vs SA 2nd Test where we were 4 down and were saved by a Mark Waugh Century (Healy hit a six to win it from memory)

Australia V England 4th Test Adelaide Oval - Warnie bowled us back in it and then we won on the last ball

Australia vs Bangladesh where Dizzie made his ton - not a great match but a great higlight

 

[Gough]

Will only rate games I actually was at;

1987 Les Favell Testimonial Game Adelaide Oval. Not a test but Neil Harvey batted for half an hour which was beautiful. Still have a program from that day signed by O'Reilly, Lindwall, Miller, Davidson etc..
1989 Aus v. WI at Adelaide. Dean Jones got 200, Merv smacked Courtney Walsh (I think) right over the Vics last ball before tea. First inkling that things might be about to turn around for us.
1990 Aus v. England at Adelaide. Mark Waugh’s debut hundred. Great innings.
1990 Aus v. England at Melbourne. David Gower made a gorgeous hundred. They were building the Sthn Stand at the time, and the amount of rubbish blowing round the ground was amazing. Seem to remember about 15 wickets fell on the third day, Bruce Reid got a bundle.
1991 Aus v. India at Sydney. Warne’s first test. All he did was bat with Border at the end to help save the game, remember thinking that he wouldn't amount to much. Sachin got a gorgeous hundred; Shastri got the worst 200 I have ever watched.
1992 SA v. India in Capetown. First series there post Apartheid. Danie Craven died on one of days and they had a minutes silence at one of the drinks break. Lot of confused Indians lining up on the ground that day. They also hadn't totally f**ked up Newlands back then.
1994 SA v. Aus in Capetown, lead up to the first democratic election amazing time to be in SA, Richie Benaud rated it as one of his favourites.
1995 Aus v. England at Adleaide. Lost on the last day, went out drinking with Gus Fraser, Mike Gatting and the Barmy Army boys. Great night
1996 Aus v. WI. Lost by a run, lost my job because of that game
1999 Aus v. SA World Cup Semi in Birmingham. Walked back to the car in silence, couldn't believe what we had seen. Final was a terrible game, still regret not selling my ticket to the Pakistani dude on St. Johns Wood High Street who offered me 800 quid.
2006 Aus v. England at Adelaide. Had friends from England over. We had been to the first 4 days, thought it would be a draw and headed up to Cleland. Starting getting texts from friends, jumped in the car down to the Oval. Great last day. Great Test.

 

[Belnakor]

1999 - Bridgetown, Lara, incredible innings against a full strength Aussie attack
2003 - The 1st test vs Sri Lanka, Warne back from a year off, takes 10 for the match, Martyn and Boof rescue us after conceeding 161 in the first innings.
2006 - The Bangas match where Gilly rescued us and Punter makes a ton in the 4th innings on an absolute dustbowl.
2008- the Sydney Test when India had a cry was one of the best matches and people too often forget Clarke taking 3 wickets in the last over of the day - incredible win.

 

[damochandler]

1rst test 2004. warnes comback game. the pitch turned a foot on the first ball murali bowled and australia were in a heap of trouble. haydos, boof and marto came to the rescue

1995 australia v west indies. 4th test. steve and junior win the game after the aussies were 3 for not much chasing 300

1997. australia v south africa 2nd test. mark waugh and ian healy you champions

odi games. new yeas day 1996

 

[YOTC]

Most of them have been said, but the for me the India tour 2001 3rd test was just an amazing game. And insane battle right to the end, Haydens 203, Harbys 7 and 8fa, Mark Waugh taking one of the all time great catches to dismiss VVS.

Also it's easily the greatest test series i've ever witnessed.

 

[finbarr]

Been to so many Tests over the years (since 1978) it's very hard to pinpoint the best matches. The One run win by Richie Richardson's West Indians at Adelaide Oval in 92/93 would have to be right up there though.

For me it's been more about the great individual player highlights i've witnessed first hand over all those years. Feel very priveliged to have watched the great West Indian sides at their peak. Even watching the likes of Marshall, Garner, Holding & co in the nets prior to Tests was a major highlight.

But easily my greatest thrill to this day was being at the Sydney Cricket Ground to witness Brian Lara's maiden Test hundred (277) in that 92/93 series. My favorite player of all time.

 

[krisholio14]

Would have to be the fourth test of the 82-83 Ashes Series.

Thommo and AB nearly got the Aussies home after Norman Cowans had run through their line up.

In the end Thommo couldn't resist having a nibble at an Ian Botham delivery, which left him slightly, and nicked it into the slips.

Even then, Chris Tavare dropped a sitter of a catch, but it rebounded to Geoff Miller who hung onto the nut and England got home by three runs.

 

[stmookeyj]

Couple of lost Boxing Day Classics

- 2002/2003 vs England. Boxing Day Hayden and Langer make big tons (Langer eventually got past 200, saw it live). England then manage to scrounge out enough after following on to set a target and actually too a few quick wickets on the final day to make it interesting and in the end Martin Love and Gilly saw Australia home. The test after of course was Tugga's ton, Gilly's forgotten ton and Michael Vaughan's match winning big 'un.

- 2004/2005 vs India, Virender Sehwag blasted 195 on the first day, then tried to slog Simon Katich into the city and holed out which changed the game. Ponting I think got a few, Steve Waugh retired hurt during his knock thanks to Ajit Agarker, and Australia end up winning comfortably. The Test before of course was when Ponting scored 200 in Adelaide, yet Dravid scored as many and an Aussie collapse saw an upset win to the visitors.

- 1992/1993 vs West Indies, Warne arrived big time getting Richie Richardson with a flipper. Think M.Waugh and Border got tons.



As for ODI's

- 1996 WC Semi Finals. Both full of drama with the WIndies collapsing big time against Australia. But the other semi between Sri Lanka and India at Eden Gardens was just as dramatic. It was when SL had Jayasuriya and Kaluwitharana at the top of the order, and within the 1st over they were both gone and SL were 2/1. Aravinda blasted a few, Ranatunga and Mahanama made runs and it was a competitive score for the home side to chase. Tendulkar then raced to 50.....then wickets tumbled and the crowd reacted. Final image as the game was awarded to SL was that of Vinod Kambli (a prodigy like Sachin who didn't reach his heights) inconsolable.

 

[krisholio14]

As for ODI's

1996 WC Semi Finals. But the other semi between Sri Lanka and India at Eden Gardens was just as dramatic. It was when SL had Jayasuriya and Kaluwitharana at the top of the order, and within the 1st over they were both gone and SL were 2/1. Aravinda blasted a few, Ranatunga and Mahanama made runs and it was a competitive score for the home side to chase. Tendulkar then raced to 50.....then wickets tumbled and the crowd reacted. Final image as the game was awarded to SL was that of Vinod Kambli (a prodigy like Sachin who didn't reach his heights) inconsolable.

Great night for me. I've never been happier to see a bunch of sooky Indian fans pegging rubbish out on to the ground in a massive dummy spit

 

[XFactor1979]

that classic tie world cup semi at the oval between australia and south africa in 1999

the match where donald dropped his bat

everyone was yelling at the tv screen that night

 

[blue gunslinger]

front row watchig Gilly smack that 2nd fastest 100 versus Eng recently was amazing
(heckled Petersen non-stop)

 

[saj_21]

as for the odi's, the best ever odi i have ever watched or listened to was aus vs nz, in the third last group match at the mcg in 2001/2002, when bevan was superb. i was never his greatest fan, but his innings that night will live with me forever. warney, lee and bichel were inspiring with the bat, too. did not back down for a second.

will also add the best innings i have ever seen - or my favourite, at least - steve waugh's 102 vs england to save his career at the scg in the 5th test 2002/2003. felt so inspired by his determination. so brave, so resolute. warne and lee's batting in the 2005 ashes was similarly as inspiring, too.

Agreed with that Bevan innings truly awesome, i listened to it on the radio. There was one over were bevan hit 2's of the first 5 balls of the over, to all parts of the ground then hit a single of the last to retain the strike. The bloke is a bit of w***er and had a reputation to bat for himself but he was a freak!

My first crciket memory is of him hitting the 4 of last ball to beat the windies at the SCG.

Agreed with tuggas 102 at scg was so exciting to watch.

Funny how at our peak late 90's early 00's it took super human efforts to knock the aussies off.

another good test that the aussies lost. 1998 Ashes test at the MCG, chasing a small target england come from no where to knock us off!

 

[Ferris_rules]

Great night for me. I've never been happier to see a bunch of sooky Indian fans pegging rubbish out on to the ground in a massive dummy spit

The biggest dummy spit on Australian shores has to go to Ranatunga.

A disgraceful captain at best and at worst a embarrassment to world cricket.

 

[krisholio14]

The biggest dummy spit on Australian shores has to go to Ranatunga.

A disgraceful captain at best and at worst a embarrassment to world cricket.

Pfft shows how long you've been watching cricket for.

You clearly don't remember some of the rubbish the Indians have been up to on these shores over the years, starting with Sunil Gavaskar walking off the ground and taking his batting partner with him (and threatening to forfeit a test match) because he didn't like the umpires decision.

You can also go back to the 78-79 Pakistan series if you want to talk about dummy spits from both sides.

I'm not going to open up the Murali debate again, it's been done to death, and I will agree that the incident you are obviously referring to in that ODI v England wasn't the most sporting thing i've ever seen on the field.

But to say it was the biggest dummy spit? Not even close.

And why is he such a disgrace? Because he wasn't prepared to stand back and be bullied by the Australian side as we all know they like to do?

Besides, what your comment has to do with this topic i'm not quite sure.

 

[Bloods boy from the Bush]

Any match of the 05 Ashes belongs here.

South Africa v Australia, Johannesburg, 2006 - Mostly forgotten considering the series was overseas and that it was the dead rubber. Basically a less intense version of Edgbaston, Langer knocked out first ball in his 100th test, bowlers track, Martyn makes a grerat century to get us close and Lee and Kasprowicz finish it off - just, only really a one wicket win because Langer couldn't bat.

http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/238203.html

I'll try and think of some more later.

I think Ponting has since said that Lee & Kaspa had to get those runs because Langer was padded up ready to go out if a wicket fell and no-one would be able to stop him.

 

[skilts]

First Test I ever saw was V England at the MCG in 1955. Turned up anticipating a great day's play and it was all over by lunchtime. Frank Tyson took 7/27 and we ate our lunches on the train on the way home.

Next Test I saw was also V England, in 1958. Saw Neil Harvey make 167. I thought cricket to be a good game.

Third Test I saw was V West Indies at MCG. Went to 2 days, including the one on which 90,000 people attended. Saw Wes Hall belted for 18 runs off one over by Bob Simpson, mostly with hooks. Saw Worrell, Valentine, Sobers, Alexander. Not to mention, Nurse, Kanhai, Rhamadin. I've waited nearly 50 years to find an excuse to write that phrase.

From then on, with a few exceptions, it's mostly been downhill. The best international game I saw was the one between Australia and the Rest of the World in 1970(?). Graeme Pollock made the best 28 I've ever seen and Sobers was, well, Sobers, in making 254.