Almanac Teams: Adelaide Test Memories

 

For this summer of cricket my theme is of each Australian test venue with a team of Australians and Visitors based on performance/s, moment, and memories. Each side is from 1980 (when I started approx. following) though there maybe the off exception. Feel free to contribute and obviously any from earlier would be great to hear from.

 

This week team is based in Adelaide

While the team is what a test batting line up may look like, there may be some imbalance as priority is for the moment in the test. The Australian has just Josh Hazlewood and Colin Miller with Steve Waugh to bowl pace. The Visitors has no wicketkeeper though Rahul Dravid has kept before.

 

Australia

 

Mark Taylor

169no v South Africa February 1998

After South Africa made 517, Australia’s innings never got going making 350 runs. This was thanks to Mark Taylor who carried his bat for the 122 overs to make 169 from 378 balls which included batting for all of Day 3. Taylor played 104 Tests for 7525 runs at 43.49.

 

David Warner

335no v Pakistan November 2019

This innings was Warner’s highest test score with his 335 coming from 418 balls including thirty-nine fours and one six in a score of 3/589. Warner batted for 127 overs after being 166no on Day 1. The Warner and Labuschagne second wicket partnership was 361. Warner played 112 tests for 8786 runs at 44.59

 

Michael Clarke

128 & 7 v India December 2014

This was the first test after Phil Hughes passing with the Brisbane test moved to a later date. Clarke was not fully fit and would have missed with hamstring issues except he wanted to play as a tribute. Clarke made 128 from 163 balls, retiring hurt at 60 at 2/206. This was to be Clarke’s last test hundred retiring in August 2015. Clarke played 115 tests for 8643 runs at 49.10.

 

Mark Waugh

63 & 115 v South Africa February 1998

Waugh had a majestic debut at Adelaie against England in 1991 scoring 138 from 188 balls. Waugh’s 115 though was not like a typical Mark Waugh innings with it coming from 305 balls. South Africa after making 517 in first innings had set Australia 361 to win with over a day left. At stumps Day 4 Australia were 2/32 with Waugh on 11no. Waugh was involved in a controversial moment when he was on 107 late on Day 5 with four wickets in hand. Waugh was struck on the arm and while walking back to square leg his bat struck the wicket. It was given not out by the third umpire as it was deemed, he was not in the middle of the stroke. Australia survived to draw losing just 7 wickets. Waugh played 128 tests for 8029 runs at 41.81.

 

Allan Border

205 v New Zealand December 1987

The Adelaide test in the 1980’s had a reputation as a batsman wicket and between 1980-91 there was only three results with six draws in a row from 1985-91. Border 205 was such a match with New Zealand batting first and making 9/485 with Andrew Jones 150 and Martin Crowe 137, Australia then made 496 before New Zealand made 7/182. Border 205 was his highest test score and came from 485 balls and included twenty fours. Border played 156 tests for 11174 runs at 50.56

 

Steve Waugh

164 & 1 and 4/26 v South Africa January 1994

Waugh started his test career as an all rounder but early days it was rare that he had good test in both disciplines. Waugh form was better as bowler early before he finally made a test hundred in 1989. From 1989 onwards Waugh had back issues and rarely bowled. Until his first test hundred he had 40 out of his 92 test wickets. However, the four tests (1 in Australia and 3 in South Africa) Australia played in succession Waugh had a purple patch taking 14 wickets at 11.43 and making 360 runs at 72.  This was the third test with South Africa up 1-0 and Waugh back after missing the first two tests injured. Waugh 164 came from 276 balls and his wickets were Kirsten, Cullinan, Rhodes, and McMillan. Waugh played 168 Tests for 10927 runs at 51.06 and took 92 wickets at 37.44.

 

 

Michael Bevan

4/31 & 6/82 and 85no v West Indies January 1997

Bevan was a reluctant allrounder who as a left arm wrist spinner who bowled a variety of balls each over, which genuinely included an unplayable one. In the summer of 1996/97 Bevan was picked as a frontline second spinner as a number 7 bat and fourth bowler after being the 12^th man in the previous test. In the first innings Bevan got the last four wickets but in the second innings he did claim the scalps of Campbell, Chanderpaul and Adams. Bevan’s 85no came off 263 balls and included 165 run partnership with Greg Blewett before Australia lost its last five wickets for 54. Bevan played 18 tests for 785 runs at 29.07 taking 29 wickets at 24.24.

 

Brad Haddin

118 & 2 Catches v England December 2013

While 2013 Ashes is recognized as the summer of Mitchell Johnson who was quite rightly player of the series, Brad Haddin summer is probably underrated. Haddin set the tone with 94 in the first test coming at 5/100. Haddin scored 493 runs at 61.63 for the series which was the best by an Australian wicketkeeper. In this test Haddin 118 came from 177 balls and included eleven fours and five sixes and a 200 run partnership with Michael Clarke. Haddin played 66 tests for 3266 runs at 32.98 and took 262 catches and 8 stumpings.

 

Colin Miller

5/81 & 5/32 v West Indies December 2000

Miller was 34 when he made his debut as a swing bowler and off spinner. Just after this test series in February 2001 Miller was announced as Australian Test Player of the year for previous twelve months. Miller in this test would claim the wicket of Brian Lara twice (Lara did make 182 1^st innings) and his 5/32 was his best ever test figures. Miller played 18 tests for 69 wickets at 26.15.

 

 

Tim May

2/41 & 5/9 and 6 & 42no v West Indies January 1993

May was recalled for his first test in four years at his home ground. In the second May came onto to bowl in the 30^th over with the West Indies four wickets down. After 6.5 overs May had taken five of the last six wickets to take his career best figures of 5/9. Australia would need 186 runs to win however Australia slumped to 8/102 when May came into bat to join test debutant Justin Langer. Langer would be out with the score at 144 leaving McDermott and May to make 42 to win, they would fall one run short. May made 42no from 99 balls which was also his highest score. May played 24 tests taking 75 wickets at 34.74 and making 225 runs at 14.06.

 

Josh Hazlewood

1/47 & 5/8 v India December 2020

India won the toss and batted and were all out for 244 early on Day 2 and then Australia was all out for 191 on Day 2 and stumps on Day 2 India were 1/9. On Day 3 India were all out before lunch for 36 in 21 overs. After Cummins got the first three wickets before Hazlewood took five of the next six wickets to end up with the figures 5 overs 3 maidens 5/8. Hazlewood has played 76 tests for 295 wickets at 24.21.

 

Pat Cummins was selected in the side but had to sensationally withdraw after he sat at a table next to positive Covid case day prior to Adelaide test in 2021.

 

Other players

 

Kim Hughes

213 & 53 v India January 1981

This was Hughes highest score coming from 301 balls and including twenty-one fours.

 

Dennis Lillee

6/171 v Pakistan December 1983

This was Lillee’s last ever 5 wickets in an innings as he would retire two tests later. In a dull draw Australia made 465 with Pakistan replying with 624.

 

Geoff Lawson

8/112 & 3/69 v West Indies December 1984

This was Lawson best bowling figures ever against the might of the West Indies which included Viv Richards for 0 and some suggestions for Greenidge after he claimed LBW in the second innings.

 

 

Dean Jones

216 & 6 v West Indies February 1989

This was Jones highest test score and included 114 run partnership with Merv Hughes who made 72no. Jones 216 came from 347 balls.

 

Mike Whitney

7/89 & 2/60 v West Indies February 1989

Whitney was recalled for his first in 18 months with Terry Alderman and helped bowl West Indies out for 369 compared to Australia 515. Surprisingly Whitney was not selected for the 1989 Ashes tour.

 

Craig McDermott

5/76 & 5/92 v India January 1992

McDermott took seven wickets on his return to test side after two-year absence in 1991, then 1992 bowled Australia to victory as India closes in an unlikely victory. India was within 90 runs with 4 wickets at Azharuddin batting when McDermott took last four wickets with India 40 runs away. In 1993 McDermott was last out for 18 in a 40-run partnership with Tim May that got Australia within one run.

 

Greg Blewett

102no & 12 v England January 1995

Test Debut for the hometown boy, Blewett nearly missed his century as Australia lost the last five wickets for 23 runs. Blewett 102 came from 180 balls.

 

Damien Martyn

124 & 6no v South Africa December 2001

Elegant Martyn hundred came from 210 balls. The miracle test in Adelaide 2006 would be Martyn’s last ever test.

 

Ricky Ponting

242 & 0 v India December 2003

Ponting scored six hundreds at Adelaide including two double centuries, averaging 60.10.

 

Justin Langer

215 & 46 v New Zealand November 2004

This was Langer’s second ever double century.

 

Mitchell Johnson

7/40 & 1/73 v England December 2013

After Australia made 9/570, Johnson ripped apart England for 172 which included last six wickets for 55.

 

Nathan Lyon

5/134 & 7/152 v India December 2014

This was the arrival of Nathan Lyon as a matchwinner as he bowled Australia to victory on the last day despite coping some stick from Kohli.

 

Tim Paine

73no & 7 catches v India December 2020

Paine was man of the match where he took 5 catches in the innings India were all out for 36.

 

Travis Head

175 & 38no v West Indies December 2022

This is so far Head’s highest score. Head has made hundreds at his hometown the last three years with 119 v West Indies 23/24 and 140 v India in 2024 off 141 balls.

 

 

Visitors

 

Chris Gayle (West Indies)

26 & 165no December 2009

Gayle carried his bat as in the second innings which put the West indies in a possible winning situation. West Indies batted first to make 451 with Australia making 412 in reply, West indies then made 317 setting Australia 330 in 2.5 sessions. Australia finished with 5/212. Gayle’s 165no was a composed innings from 286 balls and sixteen fours and one six. Gayle played 103 tests for 7214 runs at 42.18.

 

 

Desmond Haynes (West Indies)

45 & 11 January 1993

Haynes was less than a month short of his 37^th birthday when he played this test and had struggled on this tour scoring 123 runs on tour at 15.37. Haynes best moment for the tour came when fielding at short leg. With two runs to win and Craig McDermott on strike facing Courtney Walsh, McDermott struck a short ball towards a vacant leg side for the possible winning runs. Except Desmond Haynes dived to his right and got a boot to the ball to stop any run. Next ball another short ball and McDermott was caught behind, giving the West Indies a one run win. Haynes played 116 tests for 7487 runs at 42.29.

 

Brian Lara (West Indies)

182 & 39 December 2000

Lara first innings was a batting masterclass, coming from 235 balls including twenty-nine fours and one six. On his next tour in 2005 Lara would score 226 from 298 balls. Lara played 19 tests in Australia for 1469 runs and four hundreds at 41.97. Lara in total played 131 tests for 11953 runs at 52.88 and has the highest test score ever of 400no.

 

Rahul Dravid (India)

233 & 72no December 2003

India went to 1-0 series lead in the second test of the series. In a remarkable test Australia made 556 with India replying with 523. India was 4/85 but in a flashback to 2001, Rahul Dravid 233 and VVS Laxman 148 put on 303 runs. Dravid 233 came from 446 balls and included twenty-three fours and one six. Australia would be rolled for 196 and set India 230 to win. India passed the score six wickets down on the back of Dravid 72no. Dravid played 164 tests for 13288 runs at 52.31.

 

Paul Collingwood (England)

206 & 22no December 2006

Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen 158 put on 310 runs in what was thought to a be match winning partnership in England’s score of 6/551. Collingwood’s 206 came from 392 balls and included sixteen fours. In the Miracle of Adelaide test match Australia replied with 513 and at stumps on Day 4 in full out defense mode and struggling to score. Collingwood remained unbeaten as wickets fell around but only scored 22 runs from 119 balls. Australia would win by six wickets. Collingwood would play 68 tests for 4258 runs at 40.56.

 

Kevin Pietersen (England)

227 December 2010

There were no scars for Kevin Pietersen in Adelaide from four years ago. After Australia were all out for 245, England bat themselves towards victory making 5/620. Pietersen made 227 from 308 balls included thirty-three fours and one six. This will be Pietersen highest score in England innings and 71 run victory. Pietersen would play 104 tests for 8181 runs at 47.28.

 

Wasim Akram (Pakistan)

52 & 123 and 5/100 & 1/29

A brilliant all-round game from Akram, nearly won the test for Pakistan in a thrilling battle. Akram topped the score with 52 in the first innings from 68 balls as Pakistan made 257. Australia replied with 341 with Akram removing three of the top order batsmen and then the last two wickets in two consecutive balls to be on a hat trick in the second innings. Pakistan was 5/90 and just six runs ahead when Akram joined his captain Imran Khan at the crease. Imran 136 and Akram put on 191 runs with Akram innings coming from 196 balls and including eighteen fours and one six, in which dueled with Merv Hughes. Akram played 104 tests for 2898 runs at 22.64 and took 414 wickets at 23.62.

 

 

Kapil Dev (India)

8/106 & 38 December 1985

Dev was India’s captain for the 1985 tour in a test interrupted by rain. This was Dev’s second-best bowling performance bowling 38 overs in Australia score of 381. India would score 520 in reply before Australia finished up at 0/17. Dev played 131 Tests for 5248 runs at 31.05 and 434 wickets at 29.64.

 

Phil DeFreitas (England)

21 & 88 and 2/70 & 0/31 January 1995

After failing with the new ball in the 1^st test in Brisbane, DeFreitas was dropped before being recalled for the Melbourne test due to a spate of injuries. DeFreitas looked a better batsman than his average suggested and in Adelaide test he made his highest score and scored his third ever fifty. After a handy 21 in the first innings, DeFreitas got the first two wickets including David Boon for 0. When DeFreitas came into bat in the second innings England were 6/181 and just 115 runs in front. DeFreitas took to the Australian bowlers making 88 off 95 balls including nine fours and two sixes and guide England to 262 run lead. England would bowl Australia out for 156 and DeFreitas was Man of the Match. DeFreitas played 44 tests for 934 runs at 14.82 and took 140 wickets at 33.57.

 

 

Malcolm Marshall (West Indies)

5/69 & 5/38 December 1984

In an era of Roberts, Holding, Garner, Ambrose and Walsh, Malcolm Marshall is considered by many of his opponents as the greatest or quickest West Indian fast bowler. Marshall was the matchwinner in Adelaide bowling out Australia for 284 and 173 to give the West Indies a 191-run victory. Of the ten wickets, seven were top order batsman including Allan Border twice. Marshall played 81 tests for 376 runs at 20.94 and also made 1810 runs at 18.85.

 

Yasir Shah (Pakistan)

0/197 and 113 & 13

Not a recognized batsman, this was Shah only first-class century. Shah had bowled 32 overs for 0/197 as Australia made 3/589 declared including Warner 335no.  Pakistan was 6/89 when Shah joined Babar Azam at the crease. Together they put 105 with Azam making 97. Shah would make 113 from 213 balls including thirteen fours in a score of 302. Shah played 48 tests for 918 runs at 14.12 and took 244 wickets at 31.38.

 

Other moments

 

Sandeep Patil (India)

174 & 9 January 1981

This was Patil fifth test; he was a had hitting middle order batsman who scored 174 from 240 balls including twenty-two fours and one six.

 

Larry Gomes (West Indies)

124no & 21 January 1982

Capping off a great series for Gomes making 393 runs in the three-test series at 78.6. Gomes was in at 4/92 guiding West indies to 389.

 

Michael Holding (West Indies)

5/72 & 3/70 January 1982

Holding and Joel Garner 5/56 were the chief destroyers of the 3^rd test which West indies won to square the 3-test series 1-1. Holding was player of the series with 24 wickets.

 

Azeem Hafeez (Pakistan)

5/167 & 2/50 December 1983

Hafeez took five wickets in the 1^st test in Perth and grabbed another five for in the 3^rd test. Hafeez was a left arm quick that who was missing two fingers on his right hand.

 

Mohsin Khan (Pakistan)

149 December 1983

The 3^rd test was one for the batsman with Australia making 465 with Wessels 179 and Border 117no and then Pakistan made 624 with Mohsin 149, Qasim Omar 113 and Javed Miandad 131. Kim Hughes then made 106 in Australia 7/310.

 

Imran Khan (Pakistan)

13 & 136 and 2/61 January 1990

As mentioned above, Imran along with Wasim Akram rescued Pakistan from a likely defeat sharing a 191-run partnership when Pakistan was 5/90.

 

Mohammad Azharuddin (India)

1 & 106 January 1992

As Indian captain, Azharuddin struggled for runs in 1991/92 series making just 192 runs. Chasing 362 runs Azharuddin nearly got India to unlikely victory with 106 from 162 balls as India fell 40 runs short.

 

Curtly Ambrose (West Indies)

6/74 & 4/46 January 1993

Coming into the 4^th test West Indies were 1-0 down. Ambrose would get 19 wickets in last two test matches of the series as West Indies won 2-1. In both innings in Adelaide Ambrose was the one that wrecked the Australian top order. Ambrose record in Australia was 14 tests 78 wickets at 19.79.

 

Mike Gatting (England)

117 & 0 January 1995

Gatting was 37 on this tour and seen as a figure of mirth but was kept in the side due to injuries in the team. In the previous five innings he had played in the first three tests he had scored 57 runs. Gatting’s innings helped England to a score of 353 as only him and Atherton 80 got more that a start. Gatting retired after the 5^th test having made 182 for the series but with 5 scores of 9 single figure scores.

 

Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)

48 & 112 January 1996

This was Jayasuriya’s first test of the summer and first for 15 months having impressed in the one-day series as a swashbuckling opening batsman. Prior to this test Jayasuriya had played 16 tests in five years for 611 runs at 30.55 with highest score of 81. Jayasuriya would from now on become the mainstay at the top of the order making 6973 runs from 110 tests and highest score of 340. Jayasuriya 112 came from 188 balls and included fourteen fours and two sixes.

 

Shaun Pollock (South Africa)

40 and 7/87 & 2/61 January 1998

Pollock took seven of the first eight wickets as Australia tumbled to 350 in reply to South Africa 517. Pollock would then get two of the first three to have Australia 3/54 before Mark Waugh heroics saved the test.

 

Sachin Tendulkar (India)

61 & 0 December 1999

In the second innings Tendulkar was out lbw McGrath 0. Tendulkar had ducked under a McGrath bouncer which hit his shoulder and he adjudged lbw. Tendulkar would have better luck in 1998 making 153.

 

VVS Laxman (India)

148 & 32 December 2003

In memories of Kolkata 2001, Laxman and Dravid shared a 303-run partnership. Laxman 148 came from 282 balls.

 

Matthew Hoggard (England)

7/109 & 1/29 December 2006

Workman like performance from Hoggard bowling 42 overs for 7/109 where he received little support from the other as Australia piled on 513.

 

Graeme Swann (England)

2/70 & 5/91 December 2010

Swann bowled England to victory and to take 1-0 after the second test of the Ashes. Swann’s 5/91 came from 41 overs.

 

Virat Kohli (India)

115 & 141 December 2014

Kohli was acting captain with Dhoni unavailability. Kohli heroics would lead him to be appointed full time captain after the series despite the test loss.  Kohli 115 came from 184 balls and his 141 came from 175 balls. This would be the only time in his test career Kohli would score twin hundreds.

 

Cheteshwar Pujara (India)

123 & 71 December 2018

Pujara set the tone for the series as India won the first test. Pujara scored 521 runs including three hundreds at 74.42 to be man of the series.

 

More from Rodney can be read Here

 

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