2011 yearender: When Test cricket came alive with 5 sensational Tests in Nov & Dec!
Five sensational test in Nov and Dec 2011
By Nishad Pai Vaidya
In an age where people are writing epitaphs for the classical format, the year 2011 came with a strong message for those doomsday prophets. The bag of surprises has thrown up quite a few thrilling contests that have left the skeptics speechless and have renewed hopes of the sustenance of Test cricket.
Below are some of the thrilling Tests witnessed in 2011:
1. South Africa vs Australia, 1st Test, Cape Town, November 9-11
In the span of three days, Cape Town witnessed everything Test cricket had in store. On the first day, Australia scored at a good rate even as they lost wickets at regular intervals to the inspired South African pace attack. Michael Clarke’s knock stood out for his counterattack and brilliant concentration. However, the second day would be remembered for time immemorial. The track looked a seamer’s paradise as South Africa were wrapped up for 96 in their first innings and then they had Australia at 21 for nine at one stage. Australia were eventually out for 47, leaving the Proteas 236 to win. Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla started their partnership late on the second day and made the same track look like a batting beauty on the next.
2. South Africa vs Australia, 2nd Test, Johannesburg, November 17-21
The Australian performance in the Cape Town Test had demoralised their supporters, but the team was up for another thrilling contest. Heading into Johannesburg, not many people would have given them a chance. But young Pat Cummins was red hot! The Test hung in the balance after Australia had taken a 30-run lead at the end of the first innings. Hashim Amla scored another hundred to lead the hosts’ charge, but Cummins’ limited the target with his six-wicket haul. Australia’s pursuit of 310 had several heart-stopping moments as South Africa kept pegging them as they neared the win. In the end, it was only appropriate that Cummins hit the winning runs to cap off a brilliant debut and a fantastic Test series that left everyone asking for more.
3. Australia vs New Zealand, 2nd Test, Hobart, December 9-12
Australia’s tendency to play see-saw games continued as they faced New Zealand at home after returning from the rainbow nation. Having won the first Test comprehensively, Australia would have backed themselves to seal the series at Hobart when they bowled out the tourists for 150 in the first innings. However, New Zealand had a lot of steam in them as they bundled out the hosts for 136. New Zealand then set a target of 241. And the way the Australians started, it looked like a whitewash was on the cards. But Doug Bracewell came in and sparked a dramatic collapse to trigger Australia’s slump from 159 for two at one stage to 199 for nine. Nathan Lyon tried to support the centurion David Warner, but Bracewell got through his defence when the hosts were eight runs shy off the target. New Zealand beat Australia in a Test after 18 years and celebrated it like it should.
4. India vs West Indies, 3rd Test, Mumbai, November 22-26
India had clinched the series going into Mumbai and the only enthusiasm surrounding the game was Sachin Tendulkar’s elusive 100th international hundred. The first four days dragged along without much excitement as the Test seemed to be heading towards draw. West Indies had a solid lead of 108 after the first innings and on the final day, they collapsed to 134. India needed 243 to win and they went about the target cautiously. Meanwhile, the West Indies bowlers kept chipping in and it went down to the last ball. With two required of two deliveries, Ravichandran Ashwin, the centurion of the first innings, went for the safer option and played out a dot as India were eight down. Ashwin attempted a powerful shot off the last ball, ran across for one and was run-out attempting the winning run. A dead Test had come alive. It was the second instance in Test history when a draw was achieved with the scores level.
5. India vs Australia, 1st Test, Melbourne, December 26-29
The Boxing Day Test was the exact opposite of the game at Mumbai as the first three days of the game witnesses battle of shifting momentum. On the first day, Australia started off strongly, but the Indian bowling attack responded brilliantly. Australia were bowled out for 333 and India looked strong at 214 for three at the end of day two. The next day, India collapsed and gave Australia a 51-run lead. However, the Indian bowlers were back in business as they packed the top order. Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey reconstructed the innings and some late hitting set India a target of 292. The drama and promise of the first three days fizzled out as India meekly surrendered to the Australian bowling and conceded a 122-run defeat.
(Nishad Pai Vaidya, a 21-year-old law student, is a club and college-level cricketer. His teachers always complain, “He knows the stats and facts of cricket more than the subjects we teach him.”)