On this day in 1994: Allan Border bids goodbye to Test cricket

Allan Border is regarded as one of the most successful players for Australia in international cricket. The legendary batsman scored over 17,000 runs in 429 matches that he played for the national team. He also led the Aussie side in most Test matches. On this day i.e. 29th March 1994, Allan Border featured in the Baggy Green for the last time. This was in the third Test of the Australia tour of South Africa played at Kingsmead, Durban. Both teams had won 1 match each before the start of the third Test.

How it panned out

In the third game of the series, South African captain Kepler Wessels won the toss and invited the visiting side to bat first. Australia scored 269 runs in 101.2 overs in the first innings with Steve Waugh playing a fine knock of 64 runs off 150 balls. Wicketkeeper Ian Healy also made a vital contribution of 55 runs in 104 balls. For the home side, Craig Matthews picked up 4 wickets for 65 runs in his 29 overs.

In response to this total, South Africa went on to score 422 runs thus taking an important lead of 153 runs. For the hosts, Andrew Hudson, Jonty Rhodes, Brian McMillan and David Richardson registered half-centuries. Shane Warne picked up 4 wickets for the visitors followed by Steve Waugh who took 3 wickets. Australia were now under-pressure and their batting approach in the second innings clearly implied
that.

The final innings

At the end of the fourth day, Australia had scored 89/2 which meant there were minimal chances of their win. On the fifth day, Australia lost their fourth wicket at 157 runs which prompted the arrival of Allan Border at the crease for one last time in Test format. The Aussie captain batted for 166 balls and scored 42 runs with the help of 166 balls. He shared a partnership of 140 runs for the fifth wicket along with Mark Waugh who smashed a century. Waugh smacked 113 runs off 222 balls which included 13 fours.