Five most thrilling tied matches in international cricket
Over the past few years, the game of cricket has served the viewers with the utmost entertainment with action-packed, nerve-wracking games. Though we don’t get to witness the tied games often, whenever it happens, they leave a mark on the mind of the viewers as both sides fight tooth and nail to ensure the victory. In this article, let’s flip the pages and revisit top 5 nail-biting tied matches in international cricket.
Australia vs West Indies, First Test, 1960
Back in 1960, West Indies and Australia were involved in the first-ever tied test-match in the history of international cricket at Brisbane’s Gabba stadium. The two teams managed to score 737 runs across both their innings and lost all 20 wickets. While for West Indies Sir Gary Sobers and Wes Hall smashed a century and took a five-wicket haul, for Australia the thing was repeated by Norm O’ Neill and Alan Davidson.
The First Tied Test
Watch: #OnThisDay in 1960, Australia & West Indies played out the First Tied Test in the History of Cricket at Brisbane pic.twitter.com/kzZVC9NrLQ
— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) December 14, 2016
In the end, Australia needed just one run off the last ball with Lindsay Kline on the crease. After hitting the ball towards the square-leg, Kline started running for a single but Joe Solomon executed a brilliant throw towards the batting end to dismiss Ian Meckiff, thus, picking the 10th wicket of the hosts and ending the thrilling match in a tie.
New Zealand vs India, Third T20I, 2020
Playing in the third T20I of the five-match series, New Zealand and visiting India produced a stunning Super Over encounter at Seddon Park, Hamilton. Sent to bat first, India managed to put 179 runs on the board in their 20 overs as opening batsman Rohit Sharma scored 65 off 40 deliveries and captain Virat Kohli added 38 runs. Chasing 180, captain Kane Williamson had almost done the job for his team with 95 runs in just 48 balls. However, a clutch final-over by Mohammed Shami meant that India gave away only 8 runs and NZ fell short by just one run.
In the Super Over Williamson and Martin Guptill collected 17 runs off Jasprit Bumrah and India had a really slow start as they needed 10 runs off the last 2 balls. However, Rohit Sharma shattered the dreams of Kiwis of winning a Super Over by brilliantly hitting the last two balls of Tim Southee for two maximums.
What to do when 10 is needed of 2 in a super over?
Rohit Sharma: 6… 6. pic.twitter.com/BmY2jF1fAV
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 29, 2020
India vs Afghanistan, 2018 Asia Cup
In the 2018 Asia Cup group match, Afghanistan made a comprehensive effort against India to register their first-ever tied international match. Batting first, Afghanistan posted a total of 252 on the board in their 50 overs as the opening batter Mohammad Shahzad smashed a stunning century (124 runs off 116 balls). He was aptly supported by all-rounder Mohammad Nabi who made a contribution of 64 runs.
In reply, India had a good start as KL Rahul and Ambati Rayudu collected a 110-run stand. However, the spin attack comprising Rashid Khan and Nabi bowled stunning spells 9.5-0-41-2 and 10-0-40-2 respectively to initiate a collapse of India’s middle-order. As Rashid gave just 5 runs in his final over, the game resulted in a tie.
India vs England, 2011 World Cup
India were involved in another nail-biting match that resulted in a tie. During a group match of 2011 World Cup, playing against England, India recorded 338 runs on the board. Sachin Tendulkar scored a scintillating century while Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh also scored 50+ scores.
In reply, England had a dream start as opening batsman Sir Andrew Strauss played a remarkable innings of 158 runs. Ian Bell’s 69-run knock was very crucial in the chase as well. However, in the end England failed to cross the line as Zaheer Khan took a three-wicket haul while Munaf Patel and Piyush Chawla had two each to their name.
New Zealand vs England, 2019 World Cup final
The 2019 ICC World Cup final between New Zealand and England can be considered as the ‘best cricket match of all time’. Winning the toss, New Zealand posted a total of 241 on the board with major contributions from Henry Nicholls (55) and Tom Latham (47).
The Greatest ODI of All Time#OnThisDay in 2019, England won the World Cup by the barest of margins.
Agony for New Zealand.
Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, Jimmy Neesham, Martin Guptill – which player comes in your mind when you think of this match.pic.twitter.com/nw544TeiZp
— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) July 14, 2020
In reply, England had a torrid start as they were reeling at 86/4 in 23.1 overs. However, Jos Buttler (59) and Ben Stokes (84*) stitched a match-defining 110-run partnership. The Blackcaps made a comeback in the game as Lockie Ferguson and James Neesham took three wickets each. All this boiled down to England needing 15 runs off the last six balls by Trent Boult. With two singles, a six and a critical 6-run overthrow later, England could collect only 14 runs and the game went into the Super Over. In the Super Over also, both teams scored a perfect 15 runs. Thus, in the end, England became the title-holders as the boundary count came into play.
