A team scored 556 runs in the first innings and lost a test match. A batsman scored 242 in the first innings and still ended up on the losing side.
Yes you heard it right !
Dec 12–16, 2nd test, Border Gavaskar Trophy 2003, Adelaide.
The first test of the series ended in a draw. Steve Waugh, the captain of Australia won the toss and opt to bat first in the second test at the Adelaide Oval.
Australia lost Matthew Hayden early, but managed to put on a mammoth total of 556 runs on the board. Ricky Ponting was the chief contributor with his marathon 242.
Apart from him, Justin Langer scored 58, Simon Katich scored 75 & Jason Gillespie scored 48 runs.
For India, Anil Kumble picked up a fifer.
India in their first innings were in deep trouble with 85/4 at one stage. But then Dravid and Laxman involved in a superb partnership of 303 runs for the fifth wicket.
While Dravid scored a daddy double hundred (233), Laxman was happy to be the second fiddle & scored 148 runs.
India managed to almost negate the first innings as they scored 523 runs in their first innings.
Andy Bichel picked 4 wickets for Australia.
It did seem like the game was going nowhere, but what followed was a sensational bowling effort from India, especially from a pumped up Ajit Agarkar. He bowled the spell of his life (16.2–2–41–6) to restrict Australia to just 196 on still a good batting surface.
Chasing 233 wasn't easy. But Team India was determined. Each and every batsman contributed to the team's total. It was Rahul Dravid again who anchored the chase for India, as his 72* ensured a sensational victory for Team India.
- India won the match by 4 wickets.
- Australia lost the test after scoring 556 runs in their first innings !
- Australia lost the test after one of their batsman scored 242 in an innings !
It was truly sensational from Team India.
Image credits - Google.