Monday Milestone: The Tied Test
"Don’t be disappointed, Alan. Today you’ve made history"
– Chairman of selectors, Sir Donald Bradman to Alan Davidson
This Week in History:
1960, December 14
The first ever tie in 83 years of Test cricket occurs between Australia and the West Indies at the Gabba in Brisbane.
Wes Hall streams in with the second last ball of the Test. Scores are level. A run wins the match for Australia, a wicket for the West Indies. The ball pitches on middle and leg. Ian Meckiff knocks it toward square leg and screams for the single. Lindsay Kline sprints to the other end for the winning run. It’s going to be tight. Joe Solomon swoops in from nowhere. He has one stump to aim for. He aims. He throws…
In 1960 at the Gabba, it was the final day of an otherwise unremarkable Test. Australia were set a target of 233 runs from 69 overs remaining. A reasonable chase given they were eight ball overs but nonetheless it was a last day pitch, and Australia would soon learn of its treachery.
In an instant, they were 6-92, and the West Indies were eyeing a comfortable victory. Until Australian captain Richie Benaud, strode to the crease and over the next two hours with Alan Davidson, they carefully crafted a partnership, reducing the deficit.
The shadows lengthened, the pitch crumbled and Davidson and Benaud were playing tip and run. Australia were now in command. Then, Benaud called for a misjudged single. Disaster. Davidson was run out for a heroic 80, seven shy of the target, with a solitary over remaining, an over that remains among the most famous in Test cricket.
Wes Hall had the honours. After conceding a bye, against orders issued by Frank Worrell, Hall sent down a bouncer to the Australian captain. Benaud saw an opportunity to reduce the deficit in a single stroke but managed only to merely glove the ball behind. Back in the sheds, number eleven Lindsay Kline began twitching.
It was nervous stuff. After an attempted slog, a dropped catch, a missed run out and a sneaky bye, there were three runs to get with three balls and two wickets remaining.
Determined to just get bat on ball, Meckiff closed his eyes and slogged. It should have been four. But curiously, the grass at the Gabba wasn’t cut that morning, so the ball slowed in the outfield. The batsmen turned for three, for the win, as Conrad Hunte, in one motion picked up and threw eighty yards. Wally Grout was a foot short of the winning run. Scores were level, with two balls remaining. Kline headed to the crease.
As we know, Wes Hall streamed in with the second last ball of the Test. Scores were level. Ian Meckiff knocked it toward square leg. Lindsay Kline sprinted to the other end for the winning run. Joe Solomon swooped in from nowhere. He aimed and threw down the one stump…
That day in 1960 in Brisbane transcended cricket. After 83 years, where almost everything had been seen in the world of cricket, these men had become part of history. Demonstrating that while we all like to win, just sometimes, a tie can be even better.
The Milestone Five: Closest finishes in Test Cricket (by runs)
5. Melbourne, 1982-83, Australia v England
England 284 & 294, defeated Australia 287 & 288
Result: England wins by three runs
4. Birmingham 2005, England v Australia
England 407 & 182, defeated Australia 308 & 279
Result: England wins by two runs
3. Adelaide 1992-93, Australia v West Indies
West Indies 252 & 146, defeated Australia 213 & 184
Result: West Indies wins by one run
2. Madras 1986, India v Australia
Australia 7d/574 & 5d/170 tied India 397 & 347
Result: Tie
1. Brisbane 1960-61, Australia v West Indies
Australia 453 & 284 tied West Indies 505 & 232
Result: Tie
With thanks to Getty Images for the photo
