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West Indies-Australia a storied rivalry

The Windes always brought the best out of Richie Benaud. (AAP Image/Sergio Dionisio)
Expert
25th December, 2015
4

If the 1960-61 Test series between Australia and the West Indies is considered among the most exciting of all time, the 2015-16 Windies-Australia series appears to be among the most lacklustre.

I sincerely hope I am proven wrong by Jason Holder’s Caribbean team in the Test starting on Boxing Day in Melbourne.

Please allow me let me go down memory lane to recreate the titanic tussles between Richie Benaud’s indomitable Aussies and Frank Worrell’s never-say-die Windies.

The cliff-hanging series included the first ever tie in Test annals. This took place in the first Test in Brisbane and a pulsating draw made possible by Ken Mackay and last man Lindsay Kline surviving the last 100 minutes drawing the fourth Test in Adelaide.

With the series tied one-all, the fifth and final Test started in Melbourne on 10th February 1961. It provided a fitting climax to an engrossing series with a world record crowd of 90,800 watching on the second day.

Benaud won the toss and sent the Windies in to bat. They totalled 292, with Garry Sobers top scoring with 64 as quickie Francis Misson took 4-58.

Australia started with an opening stand of 146 between Bob Simpson (75) and Colin McDonald (91). Peter Burge made 68 as Australia totalled 356, a handy lead of 64.

Sobers bowled unchanged for 41 eight-ball overs as he grabbed 5-120 with a mixture of medium-pace and spin. Off-spinner Lance Gibbs chimed in with 4-74.

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The Test was heading towards an exciting finish when the visitors scored 321, challenging Australia to score 258 runs for a win. The top scorer for the Windies was wicket-keeper ‘Gerry’ Alexander with 73.

Fast-medium bowler Alan Davidson swung the ball both ways as he captured 5 for 84. It was a match to remember for him as he scored his 1000th Test run and completed his Test double of 1000 runs and 100 wickets in this Test, his 34th.

Chasing a win target of 258, Australia lost 4-176 despite 92 by Simpson and 53 by Burge. But with accurate bowling by skipper Worrell and spin-king Alf Valentine, the home team was 6-236, then 7-248 and 8-256.

Still two runs to win with two wickets in hand. Another tied Test, commentators and spectators wondered. An injured Mackay came in to bat at number 9. Amid spills and chills the ninth wicket pair of Mackay and Johnny Martin scampered for a bye and Australia won by two runs and the series 2-1.

Although the West Indies lost, the Trophy between Australia and the West Indies was named the Frank Worrell Trophy.

Famous writer ‘Johnnie’ Moyes considered Benaud to be a more brilliant leader than Worrell, stating “in applauding the West Indians for lighting the fires of cricket’s rehabilitation, I give full marks to Benaud for providing all the fuel he could to keep it burning brightly, both then and after years”.

Both the winning Aussies and the gallant Windies were cheered lustily on the MCG and in street parades a few days later.

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The West Indies skipper Frank Worrell had won over Australians with his valour and sportsmanship.

I suggested on The Roar in 2009 that it should be called the Worrell-Benaud Trophy because both had contributed equally to the enchanting series.

When I sent this story to Richie, he modestly wrote back that the decision was taken by Sir Don Bradman and the Australian Cricket Board and it should remain as the Frank Worrell Trophy.

“Any change would be an insult to Sir Frank’s memory”, the unselfish Richie Benaud had e-mailed me back.

One hopes that the current West Indies team honours Sir Frank Worrell’s memory by performing with guts, enthusiasm and bravado in the Boxing Day Test.

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