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This day, 2001 witnessed one of the greatest days of Test cricket to end one of the great Test matches.
It was also one of the greatest 0-0 drawn Test series.
And that happened because of two captains who wanted to play positive cricket.
Here is what the captains had to say.
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It was also one of the greatest 0-0 drawn Test series.
And that happened because of two captains who wanted to play positive cricket.
Here is what the captains had to say.
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Waugh: "We're here to play cricket, to entertain and enjoy ourselves. You want to try and win a Test if you can. I don't see any point in playing out for a dull draw."
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Fleming: "It was fantastic, great to play and I'm sure pretty good to watch. I'm convinced it's the way Test cricket has got to go, entertainment-wise."
When the fifth day's play began, the score read Australia 486/9 declared, New Zealand 186/5.
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When the fifth day's play began, the score read Australia 486/9 declared, New Zealand 186/5.
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A draw was the only possible outcome if New Zealand made it to 287.
It was going to be steep.
While the Australian juggernaut had been halted at Kolkata and Chennai, there was little doubt that they were en route to evolve into one of the greatest Test sides of all time.
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It was going to be steep.
While the Australian juggernaut had been halted at Kolkata and Chennai, there was little doubt that they were en route to evolve into one of the greatest Test sides of all time.
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To add to that, this was The Gabba, where Australia have (as of 2020) not lost a Test match since 1988.
But New Zealand did not finch.
Cairns went after Gillespie and McGrath, reaching 50 in 55 balls.
But he and Astle fell in the space of 3 balls.
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But New Zealand did not finch.
Cairns went after Gillespie and McGrath, reaching 50 in 55 balls.
But he and Astle fell in the space of 3 balls.
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New Zealand were 243/7, still 44 away.
Parore and Nash (batting with a strained abdomen) took the score to 271. Then Parore fell off Lee.
Vettori was dropped by Warne at first slip off the first ball he faced.
He and Nash took the score to 287.
The follow on was saved.
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Parore and Nash (batting with a strained abdomen) took the score to 271. Then Parore fell off Lee.
Vettori was dropped by Warne at first slip off the first ball he faced.
He and Nash took the score to 287.
The follow on was saved.
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Fleming declared immediately, 199 behind, just before lunch.
Would Waugh take up the challenge?
In hindsight, Fleming's move was as tactical as bold. Nash was already battling an injury.
No. 11 O'Connor had knee tendinitis.
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Would Waugh take up the challenge?
In hindsight, Fleming's move was as tactical as bold. Nash was already battling an injury.
No. 11 O'Connor had knee tendinitis.
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But the declaration meant that New Zealand had only Cairns and Vettori as specialist bowlers.
It was Waugh's turn now to respond.
He sent Gilchrist to open with Hayden.
The message was clear.
Like the greatest sides in history, Waugh's Australians wanted to win.
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It was Waugh's turn now to respond.
He sent Gilchrist to open with Hayden.
The message was clear.
Like the greatest sides in history, Waugh's Australians wanted to win.
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McMillan took new ball with Cairns.
Australia lost the openers, but Ponting and Langer scored quickly.
Waugh declared at 84/2 after 14 overs.
New Zealand needed 284 in 57 overs.
Five an over against McGrath, Gillespie, Lee, and Warne.
But New Zealand responded.
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Australia lost the openers, but Ponting and Langer scored quickly.
Waugh declared at 84/2 after 14 overs.
New Zealand needed 284 in 57 overs.
Five an over against McGrath, Gillespie, Lee, and Warne.
But New Zealand responded.
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After 5 overs New Zealand were 33/0, Richardson 25 in 21.
The first counterattack came from the most unexpected source.
McGrath, bowling first-change, got Bell leg-before first ball.
Richardson reached 50 in 54 balls.
After 17 overs New Zealand were 71/1.
213 in 40 overs.
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The first counterattack came from the most unexpected source.
McGrath, bowling first-change, got Bell leg-before first ball.
Richardson reached 50 in 54 balls.
After 17 overs New Zealand were 71/1.
213 in 40 overs.
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They batted deep, with Parore at 8.
Then Warne got both Richardson and Sinclair. 90/3.
Time to shut shop?
No.
Astle began with two boundaries off Warne. Fleming joined in too, and runs kept coming.
They added 100 in 111 balls before Warne claimed Astle.
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Then Warne got both Richardson and Sinclair. 90/3.
Time to shut shop?
No.
Astle began with two boundaries off Warne. Fleming joined in too, and runs kept coming.
They added 100 in 111 balls before Warne claimed Astle.
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Fleming promoted Cairns above McMillan, but got run out himself.
McMillan had to come out.
By then the floodlights had been switched on. New Zealand needed 71 in 49.
Cairns lofted Warne for six, but McGrath pulled things back. 52 in 30.
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McMillan had to come out.
By then the floodlights had been switched on. New Zealand needed 71 in 49.
Cairns lofted Warne for six, but McGrath pulled things back. 52 in 30.
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McMillan now went after McGrath. The over went 6124.1. 38 in 24.
Cairns lofted Warne on the top tier of the grandstand. He followed with .221, which brought McMillan back on strike.
Another six. 21 in 18.
Cairns then ran a single off McGrath. 20 in 17.
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Cairns lofted Warne on the top tier of the grandstand. He followed with .221, which brought McMillan back on strike.
Another six. 21 in 18.
Cairns then ran a single off McGrath. 20 in 17.
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Most fast bowlers would have gone for the kill, but this was McGrath.
He knew that Australia were the only side who could (possibly) lose from there. It was not the time for bravado.
He knew runs had to be cut down.
So he bowled well outside off. 20 in 12.
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He knew that Australia were the only side who could (possibly) lose from there. It was not the time for bravado.
He knew runs had to be cut down.
So he bowled well outside off. 20 in 12.
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Waugh, too, decided to take a step back. He replaced Warne with Lee.
Cairns lofted the second ball towards long-on, where Waugh had parked his best fielder.
Ponting held on.
Unlike McGrath, Lee tried to attack for some reason. They got 5 more. 15 from 6.
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Cairns lofted the second ball towards long-on, where Waugh had parked his best fielder.
Ponting held on.
Unlike McGrath, Lee tried to attack for some reason. They got 5 more. 15 from 6.
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But it was that man, McGrath.
You could not score 15 off him, especially when he wanted to bowl defensive in a Test match.
All New Zealand got were 5 singles. It was a draw.
You could not score 15 off him, especially when he wanted to bowl defensive in a Test match.
All New Zealand got were 5 singles. It was a draw.
