On this day in 1993: West Indies snatch thrilling one-run win over Australia
Test cricket is the most demanding format of the game. And, sometimes, the game becomes so exciting that people who watch the five-day action might chew their nails in unbridled anticipation. And surely, all those who were privileged to witness the fourth Test between West Indies and Australia that concluded on January 26th 1993 at the Adelaide Oval.
Australia entered the fourth Test 1-0 up. And, the crucial encounter at Adelaide got underway with West Indies winning the toss and deciding to bat first. The legendary Desmond Haynes and Phil Simmons put on a solid 84-run stand for the opening wicket. The visitors then suffered a mini-collapse, losing 4 wickets with the addition of just 50 runs, and were in trouble at 134/5. But Brian Lara’s vital 52 saw West Indies posting 252 on the board. For Australia, Merv Hughes registered a five-wicket haul.
In reply, Australia was bowled out for 213, and in a surprise of sorts, Merv Hughes top-scored for the hosts, scoring 43. Curtly Ambrose wreaked havoc with the ball, picking up 6 wickets and giving away 74 runs. In the second innings, West Indies were shot out for just 146, with 7 of their batsmen registering single-digit scores. Tim May registered astounding figures with the ball for the kangaroos in the second innings, picking up 5 wickets, and giving away just 9 runs. That left Australia with a target of 186 for victory.
Australia then lost both their openers with just 16 runs on the board. But Justin Langer and Mark Waugh were involved in a handy 38-run partnership. Australia then lost a flurry of wickets. Mark Waugh, his brother Steve Waugh, Allan Border, Ian Healy and Merv Hughes all departed in the space of just 20 runs to leave the hosts in doldrums at 74/7. But then, Australia found an unlikely saviour with the bat in Tim May, who kept them in the hunt.
In fact, when May and Langer were in the middle of their 42-run stand, it looked as if Australia would cross the line. But Langer fell, with Australia still 42 runs away from victory with just one wicket intact. May kept the fight going, with Craig McDermott offering him company. But, when Australia was just 2 runs away from victory, disaster struck. McDermott hit Courtney Walsh straight into the hands of Junior Murray, as West Indies triumphed by a single run.
The match at Adelaide was one of the greatest Tests ever played, between two sides that were at the top of their game. 29 years have passed since that day, but the memories of that Test match still linger in the minds of the cricket-loving public.
