Following the embarrassment in South Africa and the first test match in Trinidad of 1999 Frank Worrell trophy, along with a remarkable comeback in the second test at Sabina Park, the third test match at Kennington Oval marked the resurgence of West Indies cricket.
The final day of this third test had all the elements to be considered one of the greatest matches ever, but a consistent highlight was the extraordinary batting performance of captain Brian Lara under immense pressure.
Let’s concentrate on the Third test match of the series between West Indies and Australia, held in Bridgetown in March 1999, and explore what makes it the greatest test match of all time, particularly Lara’s innings on the final day, which is arguably the finest in the history of Test cricket.
Amazing turnaround
A remarkable five-wicket haul by experienced fast bowler Courtney Walsh enabled the home team to dismiss Australia for a mere 146 runs, setting a target of 308. The opening partnership of 72 provided the hosts with a strong beginning, but they quickly lost Sherwin Campbell, Dave Joseph, and night-watchman Pedro Collins in rapid succession.
However, with Adrian Griffith not out on 35 and captain Brian Lara enduring a challenging final half hour, the West Indies still have an opportunity for victory, although the odds remain in favour of the visitors.
Imagining a victory for Lara’s team at the end of Day 4 felt akin to dreaming of something miraculous occurring on the final day of the Test match.
However, if such an event were to transpire and it did it would be regarded as an astonishing turnaround in the match, especially after Australia had established what seemed like an insurmountable lead with their first innings score of 490.
This can be viewed as a remarkable comeback for a team that had experienced humiliation during their recent tour of South Africa, where they were dismissed for just 51 runs in the first Test.
A rough beginning for the Windies on Day 5 made the run chase seem grim, but Brian Lara remained confident.
The West Indies began their second innings at 85 for three, needing an additional 223 runs to win. However, Australia claimed two vital wickets during the opening session of the final day, leaving the West Indies at 161-5 by lunch on the last day of the third Test at Kensington Oval.
Opener Adrian Griffith was the first to be dismissed on Tuesday, trapped lbw by Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie after a laborious 35 runs. Carl Hooper, who returned after missing the first two Tests, followed shortly after for six when he edged a Gillespie delivery and was caught behind by Ian Healy.
Nevertheless, a solid partnership between skipper Brian Lara, who remained unbeaten on 44, and Jimmy Adams with 20 not out helped maintain momentum as they brought their half-century partnership together just before the lunch break while adding 76 runs in that session.
A performance by batting genius Lara that exudes class.
In the afternoon session of the Test match, West Indies captain Brian Lara delivered an innings of exceptional quality, showcasing strokes of remarkable brilliance and skilful touches.
He received solid support from Jimmy Adams, reminiscent of their partnership in the previous test match in Jamaica where they batted throughout Day 2. The “Trinidadian Prince” aggressively attacked both Australian captain Steve Waugh and the ineffective spinner Warne, but later had a heated exchange with McGrath after being struck on the back of his helmet while ducking under a bouncer. However, he managed to control his anger and emotions, recognising that his presence at the crease was crucial for his team’s chances of winning.
He scored an outstanding unbeaten century, keeping alive his team’s slim hopes for victory on the final day of the third Test against Australia at Kensington Oval. Lara reached the three-figure-mark in style with a four off Shane Warne’s bowling; he completed it off 169 deliveries including 14 fours and one massive six.
Glenn McGrath’s intense fast bowling spell revitalized Australia’s chances in the match.
As it seemed that Lara and Adams would lead the West Indies to victory, McGrath struck by dismissing Jimmy Adams first, followed by Ridley Jacobs and Nehemiah Perry with consecutive deliveries just before tea, causing their hopes to diminish. Adams and Lara had built a partnership of 133 runs for the sixth wicket before Adams was out to McGrath after scoring a measured 38 off 125 deliveries. He was bowled between bat and pad by an exceptional delivery.
Jacobs managed only five runs before being trapped lbw by the formidable McGrath, who then sent Perry back to the pavilion lbw on his very first ball marking McGrath’s fifth wicket of the innings leading to jubilant celebrations among Australian supporters in attendance. Suddenly, the home team found themselves under pressure, requiring 54 runs for victory with just two wickets remaining at tea.
Lara, resolute and mentally resilient, overcame the challenges.
During the tea break, Australia must have believed they had secured victory, but Lara had other plans. He demonstrated exceptional batting skills while partnering with the tailenders, allowing Ambrose only a couple of deliveries to face. For most of the final session, Lara toyed with the Australian attack, executing a beautiful cover drive and a one-handed sweep shot off Warne.
He didn’t hold back against his rival McGrath either, disdainfully pulling him for a boundary. As Lara continued to accumulate runs, Ambrose at the other end gained confidence. However, when only 7 runs were needed for victory, Healy dropped Lara off Gillespie a costly mistake from the renowned keeper who was struggling in this series behind the stumps.
On the next ball, Lara took a single that exposed Ambrose to Gillespie; he attempted to glide the ball over to slips but was caught by Matthew Elliot, deepening the gloom in the West Indian dressing room as Courtney Walsh came in next known more for his bowling than his batting abilities.
Nerve-wracking conclusion that could have caused a heart attack.
A no-ball by Jason Gillespie brought the home team to a total of 303, after which Courtney Walsh successfully defended four deliveries to allow Lara to take the strike. The West Indies captain then edged Glenn McGrath’s first delivery just past Shane Warne, adding two more runs. With only three runs needed for victory, McGrath bowled a wide, and Lara capitalized by scoring two additional runs to level the match before hitting a winning boundary with an excellent straight drive.
This is only the fourth time that the West Indies have exceeded 300 runs in the fourth innings to achieve a Test victory during that period. Brian Lara’s extraordinary 213 in Jamaica during the second Test match, followed by his unbeaten 153 at Kennington Oval an innings that defies adequate praise once again demonstrated that a prodigious talent like Lara cannot be overlooked, regardless of how often he may fail. The 1999 series against Australia in the Caribbean solidified his reputation as one of the greatest batsmen to ever play this magnificent game of cricket.
He is truly one of the most captivating players to watch, and many would gladly spend their last dollar just to see him bat. And ditto for some of the sport’s greatest to have ever wielded the cricket bat.
