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Closest draws in Test cricket

November 27, 2011 11:08 IST

The Mumbai Test provided only the second instance when a Test match was drawn with scores level. The following table lists the closest draws in Test cricket: 

Runs remaining

Team

Score

Target

Opposition

Venue

Season

1

England

204/6

205

v Zimbabwe

Bulawayo

1996-97

1

India

242/9

243

v West Indies

Mumbai WS

2011-12

6

India

355/8

361

v West Indies

Mumbai BS

1948-49

6

England

228/9

234

v West Indies

Lord's

1963

8

Australia

238/8

246

v England

Melbourne

1974-75

9

India

429/8

438

v England

The Oval

1979

10

New Zealand

274/6

284

v Australia

Brisbane

2001-02

Ashwin's allround feat

R Ashwin narrowly missed the distinction of becoming only the third player in cricket history to score a century and capture 10 wickets in the same Test. Only Ian Botham and Imran Khan have done so (both v India!).

Ashwin is still in an august company as only 4 other players have scored a century and taken 9 or more wickets in the same Test. The details: 

Player

Performance

Vs

Venue

Season

IT Botham (Eng)

114 & 13-106

India

Mumbai WS

 1979-80

Imran Khan (Pak)

117 & 11-180

India

Faisalabad

 1982-83

JH Sinclair (SA)

106 & 9-89

England

Cape Town

 1898-99

R Benaud (Aus)

100 & 9-154

South Africa

Johannesburg

 1957-58

R Ashwin (Ind)

103 & 9-190

West Indies

Mumbai WS

 2011-12

Greatest disparity between two innings

After scoring a mammoth 590 in the first innings, West Indies were bowled out for a paltry 134 in the second innings. The disparity of 456 runs is the highest in Test cricket history for a side losing all 10 wickets in the second innings. The details: 

Difference

For

Vs

Venue

Season

Inns1

Inns2

456

WI

Ind

Mumbai WS

 2011-12

590

134

426

SA

Aus

Melbourne

 1910-11

506

80

422

Eng

Aus

Adelaide

2006-07

551-6d

129

420

Aus

Eng

Sydney

 1894-95

586

166

419

Aus

WI

Bridgetown

 1954-55

668

249

383

SL

Aus

Colombo SSC

1992-93

547-8d

164

383

Pak

Eng

Leeds

2006

538

155

COMPILED BY RAJNEESH GUPTA