Australia took a lead of 82 runs in the third Ashes Test in Melbourne but England still lost by an innings as they were bowled out for 68, thanks to Scott Boland’s 6/7.
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The third day of the Ashes Test between Australia and England in Melbourne will be remembered for Scott Boland’s spell. Boland, who was picked for his recent good record at the MCG, bowled brilliantly to take 6/7 and dismantle England for 68. Australia had taken a lead of 82 runs which was significant on a wicket that was aiding the pacers. But, no one ever expected England to capitulate for such a low score in dramatic circumstances.
The 68-all out for England was their lowest in Australia after 117 years. In 1904, they were bowled out for 61 and it happened at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Test match lasted for 1084 balls which was the lowest in a Test in Australia after 70 years. However, the lead of 82 and still losing by an innings put England in an inglorious company. Only three times prior to England’s capitulation has a team lost by an innings despite a lead of under 100. Here are the other instances.
The lowest point in New Zealand’s cricket history. They started off well on an Auckland wicket that assisted the pacers. John Reid hit 73 and helped New Zealand reach 200 in the first innings. Leonard Hutton hit 53 and Peter May was the next top-scorer with 48 as England eked out for a 46-run lead. It seemed to have not been enough. But, on a crazy day of cricket, New Zealand suffered humiliation. Bert Sutcliffe was the only player to reach double figures as New Zealand were bowled out for 26, the lowest total in Test history. Bob Appleyard took 4/7 and four New Zealand batsmen were out for 0. 62 years later, New Zealand came close to bowling England out cheaply as they reduced them to 27/9 in the Pink Ball Test at Eden Park. But, England escaped and reached 58.
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The pitch at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore proved to be a paradise for bowlers. Pakistan suffered the brunt of the West Indies’ brutal onslaught of their pacers. Javed Miandad held firm with 48 but Pakistan was bowled out for 131, with Malcolm Marshall taking 5/33. Gordon Greenidge showed his class with 75 and he was well-assisted by Viv Richards who smashed 48. But, Imran Khan took 5/59 and he was well-supported by Abdul Qadir who took 4/96. West Indies led by 87 and Pakistan sensed a comeback. But, the second innings proved to be a low point for Pakistan cricket. Courtney Walsh was the star with 4/21 as Pakistan slipped to 77 all out. Miandad was the top scorer with 19. This was a great comeback by the West Indies after they were routed for 53 in the first Test at Faisalabad that saw them lose.
It was a match that saw the resurgence of West Indies cricket for a brief time. The game at Sabina Park saw the Windies bring back the glory days with a brilliant spell of fast bowling against England. The visitors started well with Kevin Pietersen smashing 97, with assistance from Matt Prior who chipped in with 64. England was dismissed for 318 and the West Indies responded with confidence. Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan hit centuries but Stuart Broad’s 5/85 bowled the Windies out for 392.
Armed with a lead of 74, England needed to bat well. But, Jerome Taylor put on a fine show of bowling. Taylor took 5/11 and Suleiman Benn chipped in with 4/31. Only one player reached double figures and that was Andrew Flintoff. England was bowled out for 51 and they lost by an innings. West Indies would go on to win the series 1-0 and it was perfect revenge against England. Five years ago, the Windies were bowled out for 47 at the same venue thanks to Steve Harmison’s 7/12. Payback was sweet indeed.
