5 most iconic Test matches between Australia and West Indies

The trophy on display

The Frank Worrell trophy is awarded to the winner of the West Indies – Australia Test series in cricket. The trophy is named after former West Indian captain Sir Frank Worrell and was first awarded at the end of the 1960-61 series. The trophy was designed by a professional jeweler and former Australian Test cricketer Ernie McCormick. The ball used during the Tied Test between West Indies and Australia of the 1960 series was incorporated into the trophy design.

With the second Test beginning today in Kingston, Jamaica, here’s a look at the 5 most Iconic encounters between these two Test giants:

1. First Test, 2012

Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados

A match that went down to the wire

With seven wickets down, 200 runs behind and two more days to play, Australia faced an uphill task. Chances of winning seemed few and far. An aggressive move from Michael Clarke to declare 43 runs behind the West Indies total, a brilliant performance from the bowlers to skittle out the windies for 148 in the second innings and a well-paced chase of 192 from Watson and co. meant Australia secured victory with 3 wickets in hand and just minutes remaining to the close of play on the final day.

West Indies 449-9 dec (Chanderpaul 103) & 148 (Hilfenhaus 27-4, Harris 31-3) lost to Australia 406-9 dec (Clark 73, Harris 68 not out) & 192-7 (Watson 52, Hussey 32) by three wickets.

2. Fourth Test, 2003

Antigua Recreation Ground, St. John’s, Antigua

The World record still stands

Both teams were bowled out for 240 in their respective first innings of the fourth Test with Windies fast bowler Jermaine Lawson picking up career-best figures of 78-7. Australia took control with Hayden and Langer putting up a 242 run opening stand. Despite losing 10 wickets for just 175 runs, Australia set a target of 418. Victory seemed highly unlikely as the West Indies found themselves in a sticky situation as they were reduced to 165 for 4.

But sparkling centuries from Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul and an unbroken 46 run stand between tail enders Omari Banks and Vasbert Drakes sealed the highest successful run chase in Test history and sparked wild celebrations in St. John’s.

Australia 240 (Lawson 78-7) & 417 (Hayden 177, Langer 111) lost to West Indies 240 (Lara 68) & 418-7 (Sarwan 105, Chanderpaul 104, Banks 47 not out, Drakes 27 not out) by three wickets.

3. Third Test, 1999

Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados

The crowd celebrates wildly

The third Test of the 1999 series will not be remembered for Steve Waugh’s 199, Ricky Ponting’s century or the five-wicket hauls from Courtney Walsh and Glenn McGrath. It will be remembered as Brian Lara’s Test, with the Windies maestro single-handedly steering his side to a one-wicket victory.

After Australia claimed a 161- run lead on the first innings, Walsh teamed up with Curtly Ambrose and Pedro Collins to rout - out the Aussies for just 146 to give West Indies an outside chance. Australia was cruising towards victory after the home side slumped to 105 for 5 in pursuit of 308. But Lara produced a one-man show which Wisden later rated as the second best Test innings in the history of cricket. He finished unbeaten on 153, securing a win with No.11 Courtney Walsh who survived five nerve rattling deliveries in the closing stages.

Australia 490 (S.Waugh 199, Ponting 104) & 146 (Walsh 39-5) lost to West Indies 329 (Campbell 105, McGrath 128-4) & 311-9 (Lara 153 not out, McGrath 92-5) by one wicket.

4. Fourth Test, 1995

Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica

The infamous incident involving Ambrose and Steve Waugh

May 3, 1995 was the day West Indies’ 15 years of dominance in World cricket unofficially came to an end. A 231- run stand between the Waugh twins was the backbone of a dominant win. The victory saw Australia lift the Frank Worrell trophy for the first time since 1977-78.

In a series which featured only one other hundred other than Steve’s double-hundred and Mark’s 126, the Kingston crowd were silenced on day two and three and left West Indian quick, Winston Benjamin teary eyed. The Aussies took seven wickets on the last day to claim the unofficial mantle of the best team in the World.

West Indies 265 (Richardson 100, Reiffel 48-3) & 213 (Reiffel 47-4, Warne 70-4) lost to Australia 531 (S Waugh 200, M Waugh 126) by an innings and 53 runs.

5. First Test, 1960-61

Gabba, Brisbane

The run-out which ensured the match ended in a tie

Considered the greatest Test match ever played by Wisden Cricket, the first Test of the 1960-61 series laid the foundation to wake Test cricket from the slumber of low scoring rates in the 1950’s. Australia had a slight advantage at the end of day three with equally brilliant hundreds from Windies all-rounder Garry Sobers and Australian no. 4 Norm O’Neill.

Set 233 for victory, the Aussies were in deep trouble after they were reduced to 92 for 6, before a 134 run partnership between Richie Benaud and Alan Davidson brought them within seven runs of victory. Davidson was run out before taking Australia past the finish line, Benaud caught behind attempting a hook and Wally Grout run out while going for the third and the winning run meant the scores were level with just one wicket remaining and two balls to go.

Ian Meckiff was caught short of his ground to complete the third wicket in a chaotic final over that lasted nine minutes. The West Indies team celebrated wildly in belief that they had won the match. Only later did the players from both sides realize that they had played a role in the first tied match in Tests which was a special moment in the history of cricket.

West Indies 453 (Sobers 132, Davidson 135-5) & 284 (Davidson 87-6) tied with Australia 505 (O’Neill 181, Simpson 92, Hall 140-4) & 232 (Davidson 80, Benaud 52, Hall 63-5)

In the words of Ian Woodward, The contest between these two nations have been nail- bitingly tense, sublimely thrilling and gloriously entertaining and it has been scary and downright bloody dangerous. In fact the only thing that cricket between the Aussies and the West Indies has never been.. is dull!!