10 most iconic match-saving partnerships in Tests

#4 Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath vs England at Trent Bridge, 2005

Lee and McGrath celebrate after saving the Test for Australia

The 2005 Ashes was all-square going into the third Test at Nottingham. England put up 408 in their first innings and Australia responded with 308.

In England’s second innings, Shane Warne’s spell of 6/46 limited them to just 182 and Australia needed 423 to win the match with more than a day’s play remaining. However, they lost Justin Langer early on the final day. Ricky Ponting batted doggedly but barring Matthew Hayden and Michael Clarke, none of the other batsmen gave him any assistance.

Following Clarke’s dismissal, Jason Gillespie was sent back for nought and Australia were left struggling at 264/7 with 27 overs to play. England, meanwhile, needed just three wickets to take the lead in the series. However, Warne and Ponting added 76 for the eighth wicket before the former was dismissed for 34. Soon, Ponting was dismissed for 156 and England just needed to dismiss one of Brett Lee or Glenn McGrath in the four overs that remained.

However, Lee and McGrath not only held their nerve but also hit a few boundaries, adding 17 for the final wicket. Australia finished on 371/9 with the match ending in a draw. This was one rare occasion where one of the world’s deadliest fast-bowling duos had saved a match with their batting.

#3 Ken McKay and Lindsay Kline vs West Indies at Adelaide, 1961

Ken McKay scored a patient 62 and added 66 runs for the final wicket with Lindsay Kline

After three Tests, West Indies’ tour of Australia in 1961 was all square with both teams having won a match each. While Australia registered a comfortable 7-wicket win in the second Test at Melbourne, the visitors thumped them by 223 runs in the third Test at Sydney.

The penultimate Test was played at Adelaide and West Indies won the toss, electing to bat first. Rohan Kanhai’s 117 and fifties from skipper Frank Worrell (78) and Gerry Alexander (63) took the visitors to 393, with Richie Benaud taking five wickets for the Aussies.

In reply, the hosts piled on 366 with Bobby Simpson, Richie Benaud, and Colin McDonald registering half-centuries, scoring 85, 77, and 71 respectively. Lance Gibbs was the pick of the Windies bowlers, with 5/97.

In the second innings, the Windies scored 432/6, with Kanhai managing 115 and Alexander, Conrad Hunte, and Worrell all amassing fifties. Australia were given a mammoth target of 460 to chase down.

The hosts began their second innings terribly, losing the wickets of Colin McDonald, Les Favell, and Bobby Simpson quite early. However, Norm O’Neill and Peter Burge scored 65 and 49 respectively to keep them in the game. Following the dismissals of both batsmen, Wally Grout added 42 but he was sent packing as well with a host of others following suit. This left the Aussies at 207/9 with Ken McKay and Lindsay Kline at the crease. The duo batted exceptionally and saved the match for Australia by adding 66 for the final wicket. McKay ended with 62 from 223 balls while Kline scored 15 from 109 balls.