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For the die-hard cricket fan, the ongoing debate about the ‘best’ format feels needless — nothing comes close to Test cricket.
With T20s booming and ODIs evolving, many newer supporters gravitate towards the shorter stuff. But the longest format still delivers a level of drama and tension unmatched anywhere else. Five days might sound excessive, yet within that span the game swings back and forth in ways no other format can replicate.
The second decade of the 2000s produced some truly unforgettable Test matches, and below we look at seven of the very best.
7. Australia v Pakistan – 2nd Test in 2010
The Sydney Test between Australia and Pakistan in January, 2010, delivered five days of non-stop drama.
Bowled out for a miserable 127 on day one, thanks largely to Mohammad Asif’s superb 6/41, Australia found themselves 206 behind after Pakistan posted 333. Shane Watson and Phil Hughes briefly breathed life back into the match with a century stand, but at 257/8 another collapse seemed inevitable.
Michael Hussey’s superb unbeaten 134, supported by Peter Siddle’s gritty 38 in a 123-run ninth-wicket partnership, somehow set Pakistan a Testing 176. The visitors cruised to 77 for three before Nathan Hauritz (5/53) sparked an astonishing collapse.
He removed Mohammad Yousuf and Misbah-ul-Haq with successive deliveries – this swung the match toward Australia’s favour. With Doug Bollinger picking up two quick wickets as well, Australia defended 176 to win by 36 runs.
6. India v South Africa – 2nd Test in 2010
After being thrashed by an innings in Nagpur, India arrived at Eden Gardens knowing their No 1 Test ranking was on the line. South Africa began brightly at 218/1, only to crumble to 296 all out on the opening day.
India’s heavyweights then took charge: Sehwag’s blistering 165 and Tendulkar’s elegant 136 powered them to 643/six declared, a commanding lead of 347. Rain wiped out most of the third and fourth days, leaving a tense final-day shootout.
Hashim Amla’s unbeaten 123 anchored South Africa’s resistance, with the tail fighting desperately. But with just ten balls left, Harbhajan Singh trapped Morne Morkel lbw, sending Eden Gardens into raptures. India levelled the series, held on to their No 1 ranking, and delivered one of the venue’s great finishes.
5. England v Australia – 4th Test in 2010
England went down under at the beginning of the decade after regaining The Ashes the previous year. Before the beginning of the series, this was tipped to be one of the closest Ashes series in Australia for years, with the Aussies often dominating.
The Boxing Day Test began with the series at 1-1; England were far superior in the first two Tests but struggled in Perth.
Australia were bowled out for just 98 in their first innings and England ended their perfect first day with a lead of 59 without losing a wicket.
England went on to score 513 thanks to Jonathan Trott and ended up winning by an innings and 157 to retain The Ashes in the Aussies’ backyard.
4. Pakistan v Sri Lanka – 3rd Test in 2014
Four days of this Test match were not the best advertisements for Test cricket, with the game seemingly drifting out to a draw.
Sri Lanka scored 428 in their first innings at a slow run rate of just over 2 runs per over.
Pakistan fell 87 runs short of their first innings total but bounced back and bowled Sri Lanka out for just 214, giving the hosts a target of 302.
The problem? They had just 60 overs to chase down the total.
With Pakistan down 1-0 with just this Test remaining, they went all out for the win and it paid off.
Pakistan emphatically chased the runs down in just 57 overs thanks to a brilliant century by Azhar Ali and quickfire runs by Sarfaraz Ahmed and Misbah-ul-Haq.
3. South Africa v India – 1st Test in 2013
As with the Pakistan v Sri Lanka Test match, it looked as if this one would be heading for a draw. After the first innings, India had a lead of just 36 but Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli piled on the first in India’s second innings.
The visitors set South Africa a total of 458 to win, which would have been a world record chase.
The Proteas lost two late wickets at the end of day four and many would have thought they’d attempt to play out for a draw.
However, Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers put on an incredible 205 for the fifth wicket. By the time both were dismissed, South Africa needed just 16 runs from 19 balls. To the bemusement of every supporter, Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander blocked the last three overs to see out a thrilling draw.
2. South Africa v Sri Lanka – 1st Test in 2019
This is arguably one of the greatest Test innings to have ever been played. Sri Lanka were one of the most impressive Test teams at the turn of the millenium, however declined dramatically late in the decade.
Many predicted they would only be playing for pride in South Africa after a drubbing in Australia.
Chasing 304 for victory in the first Test, they were 206/5 at one stage before they lost four quick wickets.
At 226/9, the game seemed all but over. However, Kusal Perera smashed the Proteas bowlers across all parts to score 153 not out and dramatically saw Sri Lanka over the line. Perera could also thank Vishwa Fernando who stuck around at the other end.
1. England v Australia – 3rd Test in 2019
We posit that this is the greatest Test innings to have ever been played – certainly in the first decade of this century.
England were in all sorts of trouble after being dismissed for just 67 and The Ashes seemed all but lost. Even without Steve Smith due to concussion, the Aussies set England 359 to win which looked impossible with their fragile batting line-up.
Thanks to Joe Denly and Joe Root, England had slight hope but neither could capitalise on a good start. Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow got England down to just 117 to win and with just four wickets down, the fans were dreaming.
However, in typical England fashion, a batting collapse commenced, leaving England needing 73 to win with just one wicket left.
Cometh the man, cometh the hour. Stokes, just as Perera did for Sri Lanka, smashed the bowlers to all parts including an incredible switch hit for six.
After hitting the winning runs through the covers, Headingley erupted and fans have fond memories of that day and Jack Leach cleaning his glasses will forever be iconic.
