Boxing Day Test Memorable Moments #5 – Border and Thomson鈥檚 last wicket stand
There have been few better matches played at the MCG than the 1982 Boxing Day Test.
In the lead in to the 2012 Boxing Day Test, Cricket Victoria is counting down the 20 most memorable moments from the MCG.
Named one of the seven wonders of the sporting world in 2009, the ‘G plays hosts to Victoria’s international schedule each year and the Boxing Day Test is the jewel in the international calendar.
For further information on this year’s international fixtures at the ‘G, click here.
There have been few better matches played at the MCG than the 1982 Boxing Day Test.
An enthralling last-wicket partnership between Allan Border and Jeff Thomson threatened to snatch victory for Australia before Ian Botham claimed the final wicket with the home side needing just four more runs for the win.
The pair had come together late on the fourth day at 9-218, with Australia chasing 292 to claim the Ashes.
“When I went out to bat there was no pressure on me. Everyone expected me to play a stupid shot and get out,” Thomson told Cricinfo.
Border and Thomson survived to stumps, progressing the score to 9-255, leaving 37 to win on the final day.
“The rest of the blokes in our dressing room thought I would have a slog and get out,” Thomson said.
“But it didn’t happen that way. I can still picture the England side’s growing anxiety. They had stupid fields, bowled badly and everything was in the batsmen’s favour.”
England captain Bob Willis allowed Border easy singles, a controversial tactic at the time, and with Thomson holding up an end, the pair whittled the required total down to just four runs before Ian Botham took the ball.
“I was not worried about getting out,” Thomson said.
“I looked up at the board and we needed only four to win.
“I thought I would get a single, so AB could hit the winning runs…How stupid is that?!
“Botham could have bowled a full toss on leg stump.”
Botham bowled a shortish ball outside off-stump that Thomson sparred at it and it took the edge to Chris Tavare at second slip who got a hand to it but the ball popped up and Geoff Miller, who was at first slip, took the catch.
“It was a half-tracker and a bit of an away swinger,” Thomson said.
“A bad ball really… I just tried to push it out for a single rather than smash it… All I did was get an edge.”
Led by seven wickets from a fired up Thomson, Australia drew the final Test in Sydney to reclaim the Ashes.
Watch highlights of the partnership at http://cricvi.co/T0ZCxh
Will you be there at the 2012 Boxing Day Test to see this year’s moment?
Book your tickets at http://cricvi.co/QdOzBY
#6 – Sehwag blazes 195 http://cricvi.co/T1sINg
#7 – Umpire Hair calls Murali http://cricvi.co/TVgnsm
#8 – Brett Lee’s fiery debut http://cricvi.co/UElTyo
#9 – McGrath helps Hussey to century http://cricvi.co/UAHkCP
#10 – Lawry and Chappell post record partnership http://cricvi.co/Z8jq6W
#11 – Hughes takes on the West Indies http://cricvi.co/U86Td9
#12 – Headley’s heroics http://cricvi.co/UhUH8m
#13 – Reid destroys England http://cricvi.co/SBxEbg
#14 – Warne’s arrival http://cricvi.co/11N5Gyj
#15 – Ponting at his finest http://cricvi.co/11uTQbK
#16 – Yallop’s marathon http://cricvi.co/VeU14C
#17 – South Africa’s finest win http://cricvi.co/TweTVo
#18 – Dodemaide’s debut http://cricvi.co/V7XvrR
#19 – Tendulkar masterclass http://cricvi.co/QoLCPe
#20 – Pattinson and Siddle lead the attack http://cricvi.co/V9SUc9
Recent Posts
-
2 April, 2024Cricket Victoria launches Melbourne Cricket Academy in India in partnership with KheloMore Sports
-
27 March, 2024Victoria to host first-ever day-night MCG Test
-
26 March, 2024Carlton and Melbourne triumph this Kookaburra Victorian Premier Cricket season
-
18 March, 2024Winners announced at the 2023-24 Community Cricket Awards
-
10 March, 2024Victoria name squad for must-win Shield clash
Categories
Archives
Please note that Lane Bookings cannot be purchased in the same cart transaction as other online shop orders – they must be purchased separately.