Close encounters: Top 5 Test victories by smallest margin of runs
Test cricket is one of the most difficult formats for any cricket player to play in. And, it would not be wrong to say that the real test of character for a player is in this format only. While one side is all smiles, the other group is sitting in the dressing room shattered when a close match, after a five-day toil, ends. So, here we will have a look at 5 instances when teams managed to win the match by really small margins in terms of runs.
5. New Zealand vs Pakistan (New Zealand won by 4 runs) – Nov 16-19 2018
The most recent entry in this list, this Test match was played between New Zealand and Pakistan in 2018. The Blackcaps started the match on a shaky note after winning the toss and choosing to bat first. Kane Williamson’s 63-run knock helped them crawl to a respectable total of 153 runs.
Ajaz Patel is the Player of the Match on debut for his second innings figures of 5/59 ??
He helped New Zealand claim a thrilling four run victory over Pakistan.#PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/EPr5pP9hzS
— ICC (@ICC) November 19, 2018
In response to this, the Pakistani batsmen fared better against the Kiwi bowling attack as they scored 227 runs, thanks to their star batter Babar Azam’s knock of 62 runs off 109 runs. The recovery of the New Zealand cricket team started when they came in to bat for the second time in that match. And, this time around, BJ Watling and Henry Nicholls rose up to the occasion and piled up 50 runs each and propelled their team’s score to 249 runs. After that, it was all smiles for the Kiwi bowlers defending a low total. They were led by the debutant Ajaz Patel who restricted the Pakistani batters 4 runs before they could win the game. Patel took 5 wickets and earned the Man of the Match award too for his performance.
4. England vs Australia (England won by 3 runs) – Dec 26-30 1982
The fact that 3 out of the 5 entries in this list are the matches between England and Australia, shows how old and intense the rivalry between these two countries is. And, in this game it was England who walked back all smiles. Things started going their way when they were put in to bat first by the Australians after winning the toss.
Chris Tavare and Allan Lamb with 80 plus scores stepped in for England and led them to a score of 284 runs before they lost all of their wickets. In the response to this score, the Australians put up 287 runs, thanks to half-century scores by Kim Hughes and Rod Marsh. So, the onus was on the England batters again to get their team back on track for a win. And, they did not disappoint. Graeme Flower and Sir Ian Botham played immaculate innings with the bat and helped England put up 294 runs for the Australians to chase. In the Australian inning, it was Norman Cowans from England whose bowling left the Aussies with no answers and his 6-wicket haul stopped them at 288 runs, falling short of the total by just 3 runs.
3. Australia vs England (Australia won by 3 runs) – Jul 24-26 1902
One of the very first closely fought matches between England and Australia, ended with the Aussies having the last laugh. Things went Australia’s way from the very start of the game. They won the toss and batted first. One of the biggest positives for them was a century by Victor Trumper, which got them to a total of 299 runs.
In response to that, when the Englishmen put up their best batting response, led by a century by Stanley Jackson. England ended their inning with 262 runs. Tragedy struck the Aussie camp in their second inning of the match when Bill Lockwood’s 5 wicket haul coupled with contributions from other England bowlers routed Australia for just 86 runs. But the fairy tale run for the England cricket team did not last long and Hugh Tumble along with his mates came in to spoil the party for them with the ball. England fell short of the total by just 3 runs, and Australia walked back home with a win under their belt.
2. England vs Australia (England won by 2 runs) – Aug 4-7 2005
One of the recently closely fought games in Test cricket, this epic game again involved the Aussies, who to their dismay ended on the losing side. The Australians won the toss and put in the Englishmen to bat first. They made the best of their opportunity and put up 407 runs in their very first inning.
When the Aussies came out to bat, they could not live up to the expectations as their line-up was wrapped up by the England bowlers for just 308 runs. In that innings, Andre Flintoff who did well with the ball also translated his success with the bat in hand too. He led the England batting attack and scored 73 runs, leading his team’s total to 182 runs. He then again stole the show taking 4 wickets and stopping the Aussie batsmen in just the nick of time. The Australians faced another upset as they fell short of the total of 279 runs by 2 runs and England walked home with a much-deserved victory.
1. West Indies vs Australia (West Indies won by 1 run) – Jan 23-26 1993
In the match won by the lowest margin ever, the West Indies won the toss and chose to bat first. A good opening stand and contributions from the batsmen in the middle helped them to get to 252 runs. When the Australians came out to bat in their first inning, they were able to get to 213 runs courtesy of an excellent bowling display by Curtly Ambrose who took 6 wickets.
With a lead of 39 runs, the West Indies in their second innings put up a score of 146 runs. Things looked good for the Australians until the heartbreak happened. The wrath of Sir Curtly Ambrose struck again and his 4 wickets brought the Australians to their knees. But, they fought hard and a brilliant knock by Justin Langer led them to get really close to a win. But, they were so close yet so far from a win as they fell short by 1 run from at least equalling the score.
