Birthday special: Allan Border – Top 3 performances in international cricket
Former Australian skipper Allan Border turned 68 years old on July 27. Border entered international cricket during a Test against England in Melbourne in December-January 1978-79. He went on to play 156 Tests for Australia and scored 11174 runs at an average of 50.56 with 27 hundreds and 63 fifties. The Sydney-born batter finished his career as the highest run-scorer in Tests. He scored 6524 runs in 273 ODIs at an average of 30.62 with 39 hundreds and 39 fifties.
As an Australian skipper, Border took his team to several heights leading them to their first World Cup title in 1987 and three consecutive Ashes series victories in 1989, 1990-91 and 1993. As the legendary Australian player turns 68, let’s take a look at the top three performances of his international career:
3) 127* (140) vs West Indies, 1st Final, Benson and Hedges World Series Cup, February 06, 1985
After being put in to bat first in the Benson and Hedges World Series Cup final, Australia were reeling on 7/2 when Border walked to the crease. The southpaw played a captain’s knock of 127* (140) smashing 13 fours in his innings. Courtesy of his knock, Australia posted a good score of 247/6 in their allotted 50 overs and went on to win the match by 26 runs.
2) 200* vs England, 4th Test, Leeds, Ashes, July 1993
After winning the toss and opting to bat first at Headingley in 1993, Border vindicated his decision with a splendid double hundred. He scored an unbeaten 200 (399) with the help of 26 fours as Australia posted a massive 653/4d in the first innings. Australia further managed to win the match by an innings and 148 runs and retained the Ashes. The Australian skipper was deservedly awarded Player of the Match for his double hundred.
1) 196 vs England, 2nd Test Lord’s, June-July 1985
Replying to England’s first innings total of 290, Border almost single-handedly helped his side take a 135-run lead scoring a sensational 196 (318) with the help of 22 fours at Lord’s in 1985. He further scored an unbeaten 41 in the second innings as Australia chased down the target of 127 to win the Test by four wickets. Border deservedly got the Player of the Match award for dominating the English attack in both innings.
