- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 217,951
Australia v India, 2001
India win three-match series 2-1
An iconic moment from an iconic duo.An iconic moment from an iconic duo.
Australia arrived in India with captain Steve Waugh determined to conquer what he had labelled the ‘final frontier’. Firmly cemented as the world’s best Test team, Australia were on course to do just that after winning the first Test handsomely, thanks to centuries from Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist.
That was their record-extending 16th straight Test victory and they were on track for a 17th when they enforced the follow-on at Eden Gardens. For the better part of two days, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid conjured a miracle, and captains have feared the follow-on ever since. The pair put on 376 runs together, with Laxman scoring a double-century. India would go on to win that Test with stumps closing in quickly on day five, cementing the match’s status as one of the greatest in cricket history.
In the series decider, Hayden stepped up for Australia again, scoring a brilliant 203 in a total of 391. It turned out to be an effort in vain, as India replied with 501 in their first innings, thanks to a century from Sachin Tendulkar and fifties from SS Das, Sadagoppan Ramesh, Laxman and Dravid. The Australians did well to push India all the way from there, with the hosts scraping to victory by two wickets in the end.
England vs Sri Lanka, 2014
Sri Lanka win 0-1
Despair at one end. Elation at the other.Despair at one end. Elation at the other.
Sri Lanka won a multi-match Test series in England for the first time in 2014 but only by the barest of margins.
In the first Test, the Sri Lankans came as close as they possibly could to defeat without actually losing. Going into the final over, England still needed two wickets to secure victory. With his first delivery, Stuart Broad struck, removing Rangana Herath with a short ball. Four balls later, Broad was wheeling away in celebration after Nuwan Pradeep was given out lbw. But his and England’s joy was short-lived as a review quickly confirmed an inside edge. Pradeep went on to survive the final ball, but only just, edging just short of a packed slip cordon.
A Test later and England found themselves fighting for a draw. For 19 overs Anderson and Moeen Ali had denied the Sri Lankans, with Anderson getting through 50 deliveries without a run going into the final over. Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews turned to fast bowler Shaminda Eranga for his last roll of the dice.
The first four balls were met by loud cheers from the local crowd as Anderson stood tall. The fifth had his number – a short delivery that he could only fend into the hands of backward square leg. With that Sri Lanka sealed the most memorable of series wins.
India win three-match series 2-1
An iconic moment from an iconic duo.An iconic moment from an iconic duo.
Australia arrived in India with captain Steve Waugh determined to conquer what he had labelled the ‘final frontier’. Firmly cemented as the world’s best Test team, Australia were on course to do just that after winning the first Test handsomely, thanks to centuries from Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist.
That was their record-extending 16th straight Test victory and they were on track for a 17th when they enforced the follow-on at Eden Gardens. For the better part of two days, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid conjured a miracle, and captains have feared the follow-on ever since. The pair put on 376 runs together, with Laxman scoring a double-century. India would go on to win that Test with stumps closing in quickly on day five, cementing the match’s status as one of the greatest in cricket history.
In the series decider, Hayden stepped up for Australia again, scoring a brilliant 203 in a total of 391. It turned out to be an effort in vain, as India replied with 501 in their first innings, thanks to a century from Sachin Tendulkar and fifties from SS Das, Sadagoppan Ramesh, Laxman and Dravid. The Australians did well to push India all the way from there, with the hosts scraping to victory by two wickets in the end.
England vs Sri Lanka, 2014
Sri Lanka win 0-1
Despair at one end. Elation at the other.Despair at one end. Elation at the other.
Sri Lanka won a multi-match Test series in England for the first time in 2014 but only by the barest of margins.
In the first Test, the Sri Lankans came as close as they possibly could to defeat without actually losing. Going into the final over, England still needed two wickets to secure victory. With his first delivery, Stuart Broad struck, removing Rangana Herath with a short ball. Four balls later, Broad was wheeling away in celebration after Nuwan Pradeep was given out lbw. But his and England’s joy was short-lived as a review quickly confirmed an inside edge. Pradeep went on to survive the final ball, but only just, edging just short of a packed slip cordon.
A Test later and England found themselves fighting for a draw. For 19 overs Anderson and Moeen Ali had denied the Sri Lankans, with Anderson getting through 50 deliveries without a run going into the final over. Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews turned to fast bowler Shaminda Eranga for his last roll of the dice.
The first four balls were met by loud cheers from the local crowd as Anderson stood tall. The fifth had his number – a short delivery that he could only fend into the hands of backward square leg. With that Sri Lanka sealed the most memorable of series wins.
