TIED TEST ...!

Gavaskar and Srikkanth settled the nerves in the dressing room as they safely negotiated the new ball taken by McDermott & Reid but everyone knew the challenge was the spin from Mathew & Bright.
India lost Srikkanth (39) to be 55-1 but a century-partnership between the two stalwarts Gavaskar & Amarnath gave India succor and hope. Amarnath (51), like Srikkanth, fell to Mathews and then Bright, for the second time in the match, got Gavaskar (90). Gavaskar was batting with skill, perfection and concentration and his was the crucial wicket the Aussies wanted. In his illustrious career, a phase had come when he was bothered by the left-arm spinners.
In domestic cricket, Bedi, Goel & Co had discomfited him on some occasions but his ability and class overcome all challenges. Sadly for India, Bright got him in both the innings. At regular intervals midway through the afternoon, the Aussie spinner kept striking regular blows. Azhar (42), Pandit (39) and Kapil (one) succumbed.
India slid from 251-4 to 291-6 when the last recognized batsman, Pandit left. Australia were now sensing a win. Only Shastri stood calmly between them and victory. Chetan batted well again – in the only manner he knew, playing his shots. When he fell for 23, India needed 16 with three wickets in hand, with Shastri having More, Yadav and Maninder. Despite the odds having tilted back in India’s favour due to superb batting by the Indians on a spin friendly fifth day track, the Aussies did not give up. More fell lbw to Bright for 0 and Yadav was bowled by Bright for eight. India were four short of victory. Last man Maninder was in the company of Shastri. With scores level at 347, Shastri was 48 not out off 40 balls – three fours, two sixes.
Greg Mathews bowled to Maninder. A no ball, a wide, a bye, a leg bye, a stolen single and victory was India’s. But it wasn’t to be. Maninder got an off-break from Mathews on his pads and the Aussies chorused an appeal. Umpire Vikram Raju gave a close decision in favour of the bowling team and Australia escaped defeat. It was a tie- only the second in Test history- Australia 574-7 decl and 170-5 decl; India 397 & 347.
Whilst Australia were in front and in control four out of the five days in the match, India batted very well on the fifth day – both sides sere equally unhappy /happy with the results as both thought they could’ve won the game – Australia because they had their nose in front for most part of the game and India because they came so close to a win through a fine rearguard action. To that extent the result was a good one. Australia were probably more relieved as few teams would expect to get away when the opposition needed 16 with three wickets in hand and an established, well settled batsmen at one end.
There were many positives for both teams – Jones, Boon, Mathews and Bright for Australia; Kapil and Gavaskar for India but more importantly a team effort to come back from the jaws of defeat to the brink of victory.
Whilst Jones and Kapil shared the ‘man of the match’ award, spare a thought for Greg Mathews. Ten wickets (five in each innings), 44 and 27 not out and a catch, plus of course the conquering of nerves whilst bowling the last over, to ensure his team didn’t lose – and he didn’t get rewarded by the match referee.
Such is cricket.