Famous Test Matches – England v Australia, The Oval, 1953

With the Ashes around the corner, let us go down the years to 1953, the year of probably England’s most significant Ashes victory. England were going through an Ashes drought of nearly 20 years, having last won the urn in the Bodyline series of 1932-33. Moreover, in the three post-war Ashes series of […]

SPECIALS – Tributes to Tony Greig and Christopher Martin-Jenkins

The dreaded disease of cancer took away two of the cricket world’s most respected men in a space of four days. On 29th December, former England captain and popular commentator Tony Greig succumbed to lung cancer aged 66, while noted English journalist and commentator Christopher Martin-Jenkins lost his battle against terminal cancer on 1st January, aged 67. Here’s a brief overview […]

Specials – Best of Boxing Day Tests

Yet another Boxing Day is upon us, and yet another traditional Boxing Day Test match is underway at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. An MCG Test which included 26th December as one of the days was first played in the 1950-51 Ashes, but it was only in 1980 that it became an annual […]

FAMOUS TEST MATCHES – England v West Indies, Trent Bridge 1980

The West Indies were just beginning their dominance as the world’s champion team when they came to England for the 1980 Wisden Trophy. The result in this first of five Tests at Trent Bridge ultimately proved to be decisive, what with the series being played in the wettest summer in 26 years. England failed to maintain substantial […]

Famous Test Matches – Australia v England, Sydney, 1894-95

The Ashes were still young – 12 years to be precise, when England travelled Down Under for a five-Test series in 1894-95 to defend the urn that they had won courtesy a narrow 1-0 win in the three-Test series at home in 1893. This was only the second time that the two nations were […]

Famous Test Matches – England v India, The Oval, 1979

As far as drawn Test matches go, this final Test of the four-match series between England and India, played from August 30 to September 4, 1979, sits right up there in terms of excitement. England were leading 1-0 after three Tests thanks to a thumping innings win in the first Test. India, needing nothing […]

Famous Test Matches – South Africa v England, Cape Town, 1922-23

This New Year’s Test match, played from January 1 to January 4, 1923, was the second of the five-match series between hosts South Africa and England. South Africa were leading 1-0 after a 168-run win at Johannesburg. The home captain Herbie Taylor won the toss and decided to bat. But it soon turned […]

Famous Test Matches – England v Pakistan, Lord’s, 1992

This was the second Test of Pakistan’s five-match series in England, played between June 18 and 21. The two teams renewed their battle at Lord’s after the first Test at Edgbaston resulted in a rain-affected draw. Graham Gooch elected to bat first and immediately blunted the much-vaunted Pakistan attack, which comprised of the swing twins Wasim Akram and Waqar […]

FAMOUS TEST MATCHES – New Zealand v England, Wellington 1977-78

This was the 48th Test played between England and New Zealand, and the first one was played 48 years ago – New Zealand having not won a single Test over them. England had started the season with a 3-0 win in the Ashes, before settling for a 0-0 stalemate in Pakistan, and were expected to beat […]

Specials – It all started at Lord’s : Andrew Strauss special

When Andrew Strauss led England on to the Lord’s, it was his 100th test match for England. What makes it better is that its at the same venue when he scored century on debut against Kiwis in 2004. THE BRIGHT START Andrew Strauss had a very bright first year in international cricket hitting 4 […]