5 Legends who retired from Test cricket at the Oval

The international cricket ground in Kennington, London, The Oval has witnessed the end of many legendary cricketers, here are five of the best.

The Oval in England is one of the most iconic cricket grounds in the world. Established in 1845, the ground hosted the first Test played on English soil in 1880. This is also the same venue where the legendary Test of 1882 between England and Australia took place, giving rise to the Ashes series.

Traditionally, the final Test of the season is played at the Oval. Thus, it becomes the perfect venue for cricketers to retire with a sense of history behind them. The Oval has witnessed the unforgettable last innings of Don Bradman which remains one of the greatest moments in cricket history.

Most recently, England’s most successful Test batsman Alastair Cook announced his retirement. The fifth Test match of the series is his last, and the Oval will host it. Here are five other legends who chose to end their Test career at the Oval.

#5 Don Bradman - Australia (1948)

Don Bradman was bowled for a duck in his last Test innings

The greatest batsman of all-time, one who averaged 99.94 for every time he came out to bat, decided to conclude his glorious career at the picturesque Oval. Bradman’s final inning is well-known to everyone and what happened then is a part of cricketing folklore.

Don Bradman had announced that his England’s tour of 1948 would be his last. Despite his waning powers, Bradman amassed 2,428 runs on the tour at an average of 89.92 with 11 centuries. Australia’s ‘invincibles’ went into the fifth and last Test at the Oval with a series lead of 3-0.

Saturday, 14th August 1948, the first day of the Oval Test, Bradman came out to bat at the fall of the first wicket on 117. The legend received a standing ovation from the public and took his guard amidst the emotional scene. Wrist-spinner Eric Hollies’ second ball to the master went through the defence of the batting giant whose batting average would then eternally be 99.94.

The Oval that day witnessed the most sensational retirement in cricket.

#4 Viv Richards - West Indies (1991)

Sir Viv Richards will forever be the legend of the game

The legend from Antigua evoked fear in the bowler’s heart with his ferocious hitting and intimidating style. Vivian Richards was the definition of ‘swagger’ and the key batsman in West Indies’ world domination. His illustrious 17-year career came to an end at the Oval in 1991.

West Indies was not the same power after losing out on few of the greatest players, one of the last few standing was IVA Richards. Going into the fifth Test at the Oval, West Indies was leading 2-1 and required just a draw to complete the series win.

Replying to England’s first innings total of 429, the visitors collapsed to 161/6. Richards, who was battling a headache came out to bat at number eight and was caught behind for only two runs.

West Indies was asked to follow-on, this time Richards strode out to bat at number six. With nine ruthless boundaries in his final knock of 60, the champion displayed what he was made of and walked back to the Oval pavilion marking an end of an era.

#3 Malcolm Marshall - West Indies (1991)

Malcolm Marshall retired at the Oval with 376 Test wickets

Another legend who bowled his last with the red ball in the same Oval Test of 1991 was one of the most feared pacemen, Malcolm Marshall. The bowler from Barbados was considered to be quickest amongst the pace-quartet of West Indies that terrified the batsmen world over.

Prior to the retirement from Test Cricket, Marshall was as effective as ever. In the 1988 series against England, the fast bowler grabbed 35 scalps in five Tests including his best-ever performance of 7/22. He was also the number one Test bowler in 1990.

In the fifth and final Test at the Oval, Marshall decided to hang his boots alongside Viv Richards and Jeff Dujon. He snared two wickets in the last Test with the English captain Graham Gooch being his 376th and final victim. Marshall’s tally of Test wickets remained highest until Courtney Walsh took over in 1998-99.

#2 Andrew Flintoff - England (2009)

Andrew Flintoff produced the magic moment of running Ricky Ponting out in his final Test to seal the Ashes

In England’s gigantic cricket history, the name of Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff will always be present amongst the greatest all-rounders to play for the nation. The charismatic cricketer left an ever-lasting mark on the game, despite his injury-plagued career.

Flintoff was the man of the series in the famous 2005 Ashes, in which England emerged victoriously. Four years later, the heavily built all-rounder decided to bid adieu to Test cricket by signing off with another Ashes win at the Oval.

The series was 1-1 leading into the final encounter at the Oval. Flintoff’s contributions in the first three innings - 7, 1/35, 22 were ordinary. The team, however, was on top and Australia had to bat out two days or score 546 runs to stay alive. Aussie captain Ricky Ponting alongside Michael Hussey was fighting back hard and there was a hope in the Australian dressing room.

The moment was perfect for a show-stopper like Andrew Flintoff. With the score at 217/2, Hussey scampered for a single as he struck the ball straight to Flintoff at mid-on. The roaring direct-hit from mid-on found Ricky Ponting well short of his crease and Flintoff finished at the Oval with the win and glory.

#1 Michael Clarke - Australia (2015)

Michael Clarke received a guard of

honor

in his final Test appearance

One of the finest batsmen ever to play for Australia, Michael Clarke, was on his way to greatness until he was pegged back by numerous injuries. The Australian Captain still scored in excess of 8000 Test runs at a healthy average of 49, he also holds the record of scoring four double-centuries in a calendar year.

Back in 2015, Clarke had struggled with back injury and also had to undergo the trauma of losing his close friend Phil Hughes. The batsman declared his retirement from ODIs after winning the 2015 World Cup and also revealed the 2015 Ashes in England to be his last Test outing.

Clarke suffered a terrible run in the losing cause and going into the final Test at the Oval, the scoreline was 3-1 in favor of England. Clarke received a guard of honor from the English camp as he came out to bat at number four for the final time. He scored a scratchy 15 and walked back amidst applause for a sparkling career that could have been legendary.