The Greatest Test Matches in Recent Cricket History

A Test match is the true measure of both the players as well as the audiences, with diehard fans sticking around for the days-long match and its entertaining twists and turns. While a lot of other formats of the game have gained popularity across the globe, we believe that Test cricket still stands superior. Test match is the one true way of putting a cricket team under the ultimate test of character and endurance. When thrown into the center of an epic match with four innings, the players must learn to keep not only their physical strength about them but also their mental endurance.

Also Read: The Most Memorable Test Centuries in Cricket History

Impact of DRS on modern Test matches

In recent years, Test cricket has witnessed significant changes due to technological advancements. Technology has made a substantial difference in how the game is played on the cricket field. The decision review system (DRS) is a prime example. DRS combines technology such as the Hawk-Eye, UltraEdge, and Hot Spot to review on-field decisions accurately. 

In the past, umpires had to rely on their eyes and ears alone to make decisions on the field, which often resulted in mistakes being made. The introduction of the DRS was a significant step forward, as it allowed for decisions to be reviewed and corrected if necessary.

One of the most significant impacts of DRS has been on the accuracy of LBW decisions. In the past, LBW appeals were often a source of controversy, with umpires sometimes making mistakes due to the difficulty of judging the trajectory of the ball. Within the introduction of Hawk-Eye, however, LBW decisions are now much more accurate and objective, ensuring that the right decision is made every time.

Greatest Test Matches in Recent Cricket History

2023 Ashes Series

The Ashes 2023 series has earned the right to be labelled one of the greatest Test matches in recent cricket history after several thrilling matches and a number of drama-charged moments. From Zak Crawley's first-ball four at Edgbaston to Stuart Broad's fairytale final wicket on the last night at The Oval, this was a series that kept one country awake and the other on its feet.

On finishes alone, there has never been a more nail-biting battle than this 2-2 deadlock. For the first time ever, four Tests in the one series were decided by less than 50 runs or three wickets, with the only blow-out being a washed-out draw in Manchester. 

The 2005 Ashes is often held up as the holy grail of the Test series this century. The 2001 Border-Gavaskar Trophy is among the other great battles. But this series now has a rightful place in that conversation, after two months of drama between the two sides.

India vs Australia: The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2021

Historically, series between Australia and India have been won by the home side. In fact, until 2019, India had never won a series down under, but heading into the 2020/21 edition of the Border-Gavaskar trophy, there were doubts about whether they could do it again and solidify their spot as the world’s best Test team.

Those doubts were only amplified when they lost the first Test by 8 wickets having been rolled for just 36 in the second innings, and though they managed to climb back to 1-1 heading into the fourth and final Test, they were missing virtually their entire bowling attack through injury as well as the one and only Virat Kohli. They held their own in the first couple of innings, but by the time Day Four ended they had been set a monumental 328 for victory and had just a day to do it.

At 1/18 things were looking dire, Shubman Gill put together a brilliant 91 to give them a chance. After he was dismissed and stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane followed soon after, Rishabh Pant entered the fray. The diminutive wicket-keeper had been overlooked for the first Test, but he proved his worth in spades with a brilliant 89* to lead his side to a 3-wicket win with just over 3 overs remaining, handing them back the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the process.

Also Read: Most Test centuries in overseas by active batters

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 2014

At lunch on the final day of the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Test match, nobody in their right mind would ever have predicted it would end as one of the most exciting of all time.

Sri Lanka had just been bowled out for a thoroughly mundane 214 off 101.4 overs, with the innings meandering along at a rate of just 2.1 runs per over. The rest of the Test hadn’t been much better, and the end result was that Pakistan required 302 runs in the final two sessions. At the best of times that would be highly improbable, but given how the rest of the Test had been played, it seemed impossible.

Led by a 103 from Azhar Ali and rapid-fire scores of 48 and 68 from Sarfraz Ahmed and Misbah-ul-Haq respectively, Pakistan snuck over the line with one over to go. Perhaps never in Test cricket history has the ending of a match sat in such stark contrast with the way the rest of it was played, and it’s for that reason that this match sneaks in as one of the greatest Test matches of all time.

England vs New Zealand, 2013

This was a match that flayed all Test cricket obituary writers. With more twists and turns than a Hollywood thriller, the match provided an edge-of-the-seat, nail-biting finish.

New Zealand had a lead of 239 runs but did not enforce the follow-on. They continued to bat until reaching a target close to 500. The match seemed over for England, who were 237 for 7 wickets. 

Hoping for a draw, England actually survived 25 overs with Stuart Broad scoring 6 runs off 77 balls. Just when the match appeared drawn though, a fantastic spell by Kane Williamson claimed 2 wickets in 3 balls. Surely, the Kiwis would go on to win. But the 11th man Monty Panesar and Matthew Prior survived the last 16 balls, drawing the match.