The Tied test and the nailbiting last over orignal footage

December 14, 1960, West Indies and Australia, Test no. 498 became a part of cricket’s folklore. The match was dramatic and so was the result.....a TIE. The test match came at a time when cricket was choking due to boring draws and the tactics were defensive. Test cricket needed a push and it was provided by this encounter involving West Indies and Australia and many other heart-racing finishes throughout the summer Down Under. 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.

Australia already had won the series 2-1. West Indies were 3 down at a score of 62 after they had won the toss and elected to bat . On the other end there was a very determined and aggressive Gary Sobers who scored 132 in 174 minutes with wide range of attacking strokes. Supported by Frank Worrell and Joe Solomon, 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 a very high scoring rate by the standards then. Alan Davidson bowled his heart out and finished with figures of five for 135.

The Australian batsmen did their best to follow the West Indies lead and got off to a smooth start though not getting their runs in quite the same majestic manner as their counterparts did. They 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 well supported by knocks from the likes of Colin McDonald, Les Favell and the tireless Alan Davidson. Wes Hall picked up four wickets for 140 runs.

By now, both the teams had managed a pretty decent first innings total but Australia managed a lead of well deserved 52 runs. At this point Australians had the psychological edge bu on the end there was the mighty West Indies team. It was all to play for at this point in time.

In the second innings, Davidson came pretty hard at the West Indians and got 4 of the first five wickets..  But amidst the fury of Davidson, Kanhai, Solomon and Worrell fought well. West indies had half their side in the pavillion with a modest 210 on the board. 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 defense 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 upperhand, 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. What happened next ? Have a look....we have the original footage for you.

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.