This was the fifth narrowest victory in the history of Test cricket and a shot in the arm for the long form format. Here are some of the Tests that saw edge-of-the-seart action till the very end:
With New Zealand's dramatic 4-run win over Pakistan in the first Test at Abu Dhabi on Monday, it was again proved that when it comes to truly testing the mettle of a cricketer, nothing can beat Test cricket. It is entertaining too.
Pakistan needed 46 runs on Day 4 and had six wickets in hand. The low-scoring tie did not pick up on any of the previous days, but spinner Ajaz Patel's five wickets ensured victory for the Black Caps, and Azhar Ali's efforts went in vain in the end.
This was the fifth narrowest victory in the history of Test cricket and a shot in the arm for the long form format. Here are some of the Tests that saw edge-of-the-seart action till the very end:
Australia scored a mammoth 586 runs in the first innings to gain control of the first Test against England. England were bowled out for 325, and in their second innings, managed to score 437 runs, which included a century by Albert Ward. With 177 runs needed to win, the hosts failed terribly and were all-out for 166.
Having lost to hosts England 0-1 in the 1902 Ashes series, Australia had to lift their spirits which they did by winning the Old Trafford Test by a mere three runs. Australia could only manage to score 299 and 86 in their two innings under tough conditions. England needed 124 runs to go 2-0 up in the series, having done well in to reach 262 in the first innings. But the home side tumbled to 120 all-out from 72/2, with Aussie spinners Hugh Trumble and Jack Saunders weaving their magic.
Norman Cowans blew the home side away with his pace, and Australia couldn't chase the 292 runs needed to win the Melbourne Test. David Hookes and Allan Border did their best to steady the ship with half centuries but when the ninth wicket fell, Australia were short by another 74 runs. Allan Border and Jeff Thompson fought hard but couldn't add more than 70 runs.
The Three Lions, who had not claimed the Ashes for 18 years, got a confidence boost with the Edgbaston win. The Aussies who had come to mighty close to taking a 2-0 lead in the series, were defeated by two runs. Shane Warne and Brett Lee came together with the score at 175-8 and added some crucial runs. Warne got dismissed with Australia at 220, still needing 62 to win. Michael Kasprowicz hit 20 runs before he gloved a bouncer from Steve Harmison to the 'keeper. A distraught Lee is still regarded one of the most enduring images in history.
Chasing 186 to win, Australia were on the mat at 102-8. With 42 runs still to score, Tim May and Craig McDermott were the last two batsmen left. They surprisingly played for several overs and scored quite a few runs. Courtney Walsh took McDermott's wicket handing Australia a one-run defeat.
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