OTD| David Boon scored his 21st and last Test ton against Sri Lanka in 1995

On this day (December 27), 29 years ago in 1995. Mark Taylor-led Australia were taking ‘aggressive’ Arjun Ranatunga’s Sri Lanka in the second and Boxing Day Test in the three-match series. The game was being played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne from December 26 to 30, 1995. 

The visitors’ skipper Arjun Ranatunga had won the toss and asked Australia to bat first; batting first, the Aussies completely dominated the Islanders’ bowling attack. Especially, the number 3 batter and one of the batting stalwarts of his era, David Boon held the fort for his side there in the middle. 

David Boon’s century helped Australia to post a huge total against Sri Lanka

Boon scored 110 runs, hitting 12 balls, it was the 21st Test century of his international career; besides this, it was also the last century that he scored in his illustrious Test career. Interestingly, it was also the penultimate Test of his career. 

Speaking of the game’s action, Boon’s century was followed by Steve Waugh’s century (131 runs, hitting 11 fours) and the then-young batter Ricky Ponting’s fiery knock of 71 runs off 94 balls, with nine fours and a six. 

Riding on these brilliant knocks, Australia posted a huge total of 500 runs for the loss of 6 wickets before declaring their first innings. In response, Sri Lanka were bowled out at the score of just 233 runs in their first innings. Aussie skipper Mark Waugh asked the tourists to play the follow-on; Sri Lanka could score only 307 runs, taking a lead of only 40 runs. 

Australia comfortably chased down the target of 41 runs in just 7.4 overs and won the game by a heavy margin of 10 wickets. The opening pair of Michael Slater and skipper Mark Taylor went unbeaten to take an unassailable lead of 2-0 for their side in the three-match series. 

Coming back to David Boon’s stellar Test career, he played 107 Tests for Australia and scored 7422 runs in 190 innings with an amazing average of 43.65, hitting 21 centuries and 32 half-centuries. He had been one of the batting greats ever played for Australia.  

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.

Nolan

See Full Bio