England’s 5 most memorable Test matches ahead of their 1000th

A history of Test cricket that has now lasted for over a century, the journey hasn’t been easy for the longest format of the game. With the expansion of game through shorter formats, the popularity for Test cricket has gone low much due to the interests shown by the younger audience in the white-ball cricket.

However, for any cricketer, scoring runs or picking wickets in Test cricket is still paramount. If it was England and Australia in 1877 to lay the foundation for Test cricket then in next 141 years, it has only been ten more teams who have made the cut to receive the Test status.

Now, when most of the sides fancy playing more white ball cricket, England, in the years gone by have emphasized more on playing Test cricket. The game has been a beautiful gift by the English to the world and it is very right that they become the first nation to be blessed with an opportunity to feature in their 1000th Test match.

On August 1, when England players will take the field against India, it will be an occasion of pride and honour as they will represent the Three Lions for the historic 1000th time in whites.

As a ride down the memory lane, we take a look at some of the most memorable encounters that England have been a part of before their 1000th Test match:

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#1. Australia vs England, Adelaide, Jan 13-19 1933

It was way back in 1933 when cricket was played more as a leisure sport rather being as competitive as it is in today’s era. In one of the most important games of the series, it was Australia vs England in the third match of the 1933-34 Ashes series. Batting first, the visitors posted 341 after decent contribution from the lower order. In response, Australia was decimated by the England new ball bowlers, Larwood and Allen to restrict them to merely 222.

In the second innings, England came to all guns blazing and scored 412 leaving the home team with a target of 532 to chase in the fourth innings. Aussies just didn’t get going as only Bradman and skipper Woodfull were among the runs to hand visitors a victory by 338 runs after crumbling at 193 in the fourth innings. It was a rampaging performance from the likes of Larwood and Allen once again as they bagged a 4-for a piece.

Result: England won by 338 runs

#2. England vs West Indies, Lord’s, Jun 20-25 1963

In one of the most closely fought encounters in Test cricket history, a game of cricket unfolded at the home of cricket when two cricketing giants locked horns in June 1963. Batting first, West Indies mustered a decent score of 301 as visitors were not way too behind with a first innings score of 297. The drama was yet to be unfolded as West Indies somehow got to 229 courtesy an astonishing 133 by Basil Butcher.

Requiring 234 to win in the fourth innings, wickets continue to fell for the hosts as they finished with 116 for 3 at the end of day 4. Cowdrey was retired hurt on 19 after meeting a huge blow by Hall, just above his wrist to break his left arm. With an eventful day 5 in prospect, West Indies bowlers ran into the English middle order with hosts requiring 15 in the final 19 minutes of the play.

Cowdrey came out to bat with his broken left arm as they required 8 from the final over. But somehow, Allen defended against a spirited Hall to close the game with a draw and prevent any of the other three results.

Result: Match Drawn

#3. England vs South Africa, Trent Bridge, Jul 23-27 1998

In one of the most epic encounters in past 20 years, no one can forget the fierce rivalry between Donald and Atherton that unfolded at Trent Bridge on the final day with hosts in the quest to keep the series alive for the ultimate game. Put into bat, Proteas posted 374 with England replying with a 336 in their first innings. The visitors crumbled in their second innings as Angus Fraser went through their line up to bag his second fifer in the game.

England was left with a target of 247 runs to level the series in the fourth innings as Atherton and Hussain took to guard against a relentless Proteas attack. For the visitors to make a contest out of it, they wanted to see the early back of the duo at the crease. Cronje gave the ball to Donald, and it was a treat to watch the SA speedster bowl his heart out against Atherton in one of the fastest spells of his career.

The English batsman resisted and showed grit to conquer Donald, at times with verbal banter or with a grin to frustrate him even more. Eventually, the home team triumphed, but it was an absolute battle of quality that people usually reminisce over a glass of beer as the duo did after being involved in one of the best episodes of Test cricket.

Result: England won by 8 wickets

#4. England vs Australia, Edgbaston, Aug 4-7 2005

In one of the narrowest and most pleasing wins for England, the world seemed to come to a halt for all the English supporters on the final day of the Test match before Steve Harmison ran in to get Kasprowicz caught behind with Australia still requiring 3 to win. Asked to bat, the home team blazed their way to 407 with Aussies replying with 308 to hand the hosts a lead of 99 runs. England, in the 2nd innings, stumbled their way to 182 as Warne went through their batting order with a 6-for.

With 282 to chase and take a 2-0 lead in the series, Australia was jolted by a 4-fer from Andrew Flintoff who had a decent outing, both with bat and ball. On the final day, the visitor's required runs in excess of hundred with two wickets to spare as an English win was almost on the cards. This was only until Warne and Lee stitched in a crucial partnership to keep the home team at bay. But nevertheless, Warne was hit-wicket off Flintoff before Lee and Kasprowicz once again frustrated the English attack. However, at the end Harmison got the better of Kasprowicz to give an occasion of delight to all the English fans and despair for all the Aussie supporters.

Result: England won by 2 Runs

#5. India vs England, Mumbai, Nov 23-26 2012

As one of the sweetest overseas victories for England, they conquered the Indian territory, to which Steve Waugh defined as the final frontier for teams at the International cricket. A series which was dominated by spinners, India won the toss and posted 327 in the first innings. England learnt a lesson from their previous outing in Ahmedabad to score 413 with Kevin Pietersen blazing his way to a ballistic 186 to lead the visitors’ response.

In the second Innings, Indian failed to apply themselves against the duo of Swann and Panesar as they were bowled out for a paltry 142 leaving England with 57 to chase to level the 4-match series. It was one of the easiest chases in the 4th innings as hosts were clobbered by 10 wickets. It was a victory that helped England build their confidence as they even went onto win a series after a very long time.

Result: England won by 10 wickets