Test cricket's greatest match ever "the first-ever tie"!

It was 50 years ago on December 14, 1960, West Indies and Australia produced a tied Test to become a part of cricket’s folklore. The dramatic result came at a time when cricket was choking due to boring draws. Test cricket needed a push and West Indies and Australia did just that with heart-racing finishes throughout the summer Down Under.

The summer of 1960-61 in Australia witnessed some of the greatest clashes of all times. Australia had won the series 2-1, but the Brisbane Test was the best of all times. Of all the greatest Test matches in the history of Test cricket, this Brisbane Test of 1960-61 should wear the crown as the greatest Test of all.

The Brisbane Test was classic from the very first day when Gary Sobers scored 132 in 174 minutes with wide range of attacking strokes. Supported by Frank Worrell and Joe Solomon, Sobers reached his fifty in 50 in 54 minutes and on his way to his 100, he completed his 3000 Test runs. Gerry Alexander and Wes Hall took part in a late-order assault to post a total of 453 in the first innings which was scored at a rate of 4.5 runs per eight-ball over. Alan Davidson bowled his heart out and finished with figures of five for135.

The Australian batsmen did their best to follow the West Indies lead and, while not getting their runs in quite the same majestic manner, managed to reach a mammoth total of 505, courtesy the sheet anchor by opener Bob Simpson and a patiently-compiled 181 by Norman O’ Neil. There were fine supporting knocks from the likes of Colin McDonald, Les Favell and the tireless Alan Davidson. Wes Hall picked up four wickets for 140 runs.

Davidson’s pace wrecked the West Indies batting in the second innings, but amidst the fury of Davidson, Kanhai, Solomon and Worrell held the innings together. Davidson finished with figures of six for 87 as the West Indies were all out for 284, setting the Australians a target of 233 runs in 310 minutes.

The dangerous Wes Hall unleashed a fearsome spell of fast bowling to skittle out half the Australian team for 57. At 92 for six, the Test looked all over for Australia. When Richie Benaud and Davidson walked in for tea, with 122 to get at four runs per over, the scenario was confusing. If Australia had tried to drag the game for a draw, West Indies would have cake walked it. And defending was alien to the Australian mindset.

Sir Don Bradman asked Benaud what he had in mind after tea. Benaud replied: “Well, we are trying to win it”.

Bradman’s face didn’t register any change of expression, but he said: “Good, I’m delighted to hear it”.

At 226 for six, the roles had reversed. Australia was in sight of a hard-fought victory. The West Indies players felt the pressure as some of their fielders were wayward when Davidson and Benaud were cruising. Just when it looked like Australia had the upper hand, Solomon threw down the stumps to run out Davidson.

Davidson was out for 80 and Australia were now 226 for seven.

Australia now needed seven to win with three wickets in hand as wicket-keeper Wally Grout walked in. He played out two balls. The presence of the Australian support some 80 yards away bellowed a disgruntled ‘aw’. A single off the seventh ball and Benaud’s failure to score left Grout to face the fury of Hall. The umpire took a hurried glance at his watch. Four minutes to go. Surely this was the last over of the match.

Six runs to get and eight balls to go. Grout realized that it was wise to give the strike to Benaud. He took the first ball on his thigh, but ran. Benaud responded. The run was completed.

Five runs in seven. “Don’t bowl a bouncer, Wes,”  Worrell had warned. Hall pounded in and unbelievably, pounded in short. Benaud hooked. Hall couldn’t bear to see. But, wait! Wicket-keeper Alexander was running towards Hall. The ball was in his hand! Benaud was caught - out for 52.

Five to get off six balls and Ian Meckiff was no great shakes as a batsman. Besides, he played his first ball without scoring. The words,  “Relax fellas, relax” interrupted the icy silence of the field. It was Frank Worrell. Hall turned round and charged in once again. Meckiff missed, but ran nevertheless. Alexander, standing way back, threw to Hall, by now way down the wicket. Hall received and attempted a shy at the bowler’s stump and missed narrowly!

Four runs in four balls and two wickets to go. Hall dropped the next one on a good length. Grout was unsure and it took the shoulder of his bat and flew. Grout knew he was history as he noticed Kanhai waiting under the spiraling ball. Nevertheless, he ran. Hall in the extension of his follow-through and exuberance went for the catch himself. Kanhai and Hall collided at square-leg. The ball dropped harmlessly on the Gabba turf. Grout was safe!

Hall cursed himself…he had thrown the match away for the West Indies. Frank Worrell walked over and put his arm round his giant fast bowler and said, “Relax”.

Three runs in three balls. Meckiff took his chance of a lifetime. He swung Hall over mid-wicket. It looked like a certain four for Australia. But Conrad Hunte chased nevertheless. The groundsman that day had left the grass near the boundary unmown. The breathless Hunte threw in, grateful. The ball flew 80 yards, and parallel. Grout, running for the third, threw himself in an attempt to win the match for Australia. Alexander whipped off the bails, a flurry of timber, chalk and leather. But the square-leg umpire raised his finger. Grout has gone run out!

The scores are level and two balls to go. Australia’s last man Lindsay Kline walked in. Kline asked for his guard. Meanwhile, Worrell walked in from mid-on and said to Hall, “Remember, Wes if you bowl a no-ball, you will never be able to go back to Barbados”. Hall resolved to put his foot a good yard behind the crease for his seventh ball.

Hall burst in, bowled and Kline found it on his leg stump, jabbed it to forward short-leg and ran. Solomon swooped on the ball, poised, threw, Meckiff stretched and the bails flew. It’a Tie!

The Gabba Test set the tone for the rest of the series. Australia won the second and West Indies the third. The Adelaide Test produced another thriller as it left everyone guessing down to the last ball. Australia were reduced to 207-9 chasing a target of 460. But last men Mckay and Kline saw it through. Worrell attempted every design he had learned in the game on the last two Australian batsmen. But they hung on for a draw.

A record crowd watched Australia win the last Test at the MCG by two wickets. There were tears on Melbourne's roads when West Indies left in a ceremonial open-roofed motorcade; thousands lined the route to give Worrell's men an unforgettable ticker-tape farewell.

But the Gabba Test not only produced the first tie in Test cricket that made it memorable, but it was played with an electrifying spirit of adventure by both sides who put the emphasis on attacking play from first ball to last as this was an era when the game was becoming hooked on the drug of defensive cricket.

Both Australia and West Indies showed the way the game could and should be played to the teams of that time who depended on defensive tactics. This tied Test at Gabba still draws attention and captures the imaginations of a true cricket lover.

The first tied Test is still a story of adventure and thrill for the cricket lovers even after 50 long years.

Note: This article has been published in Cricket Country on 21/07/2011 Test cricket's greatest match ever "the first-ever tie"!

Thank You

Faisal Caesar