OTD| Australia and West Indies played out Test cricket’s first tie in 1960

54 years back on this day in 1960 [December 14], the history was created in the then 93-year-long journey of Test cricket since 1877. This historic and unforgettable moment came when the first Test of the five-match series between Australia and West Indies ended in a thrilling tie on the fifth day of the game. The match concluded when Australia was bundled out at the exact score of 232 runs while chasing the target of 233 runs.

Speaking of this entire historic game played at the Brisbane Cricket Ground in Gabba, it was the visiting skipper Frank Worell who decided to bat first after winning the toss. Batting first, the Caribbean side posted a total of 453 runs courtesy of an amazing century scored by Sir Garfield Sobers (132 runs). Besides him, skipper Worell and middle-order batter Joe Solomon scored 65 runs each followed by another two half-centuries scored by wicketkeeper-batter Gerry Alexander (60 runs) and lower-order batter Wes Hall (50 runs).

In reply to West Indies’ first-innings, the hosts managed to get a big score of 505 runs, taking a lead of 52 runs. Australia’s number-4 batter Norm O’Neill scored a decisive century, scoring 181 runs, with 22 fours following a 92-run knock played by opener Bob Simpson.

Furthermore, in the second innings, the visitors scored 284 runs, with skipper Worell playing another knock of 65 runs following Rohan Kanhai’s crucial 54 runs at the top of the order. West Indies gave a target of 233 runs for Australia to chase down in the fourth innings at the tricky surface of Gabba.

Also Read: OTD | In his first Test as full-time captain, Virat Kohli ended on losing side against Australia 

Lower-order collapse pushed Australia away from a comfortable win

While chasing the target of 233 runs in the fourth innings, the Aussies found themselves in deep trouble when they lost their wickets just at the score of 92 runs. But then came a gritty and match-defining partnership between the middle-order batter Alan Davidson and skipper Richie Benaud. The duo stitched crucial 132 runs for the seventh wicket before Davidson was trapped in a run out at the team’s score of 226 runs.

The Aussies were just 7 runs away from a win when Davidson was dismissed and a win was looking quite easy to arrive for them. However, it didn’t go as easy as it looked for Benaud’s men and things took a drastic turn, with Australia losing all of their remaining three wickets within the span of just the next 6 runs.

Eventually, Australia failed to chase down the target of 233, getting all-out at 232 and the game happened to end as the first-ever tie in the history of Test cricket.

Disclaimer: This exclusive news is based on the author’s insights, analysis, and intuition. While reviewing this information, consider the points discussed and form your own conclusions.

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