Exactly 19 years ago, during the third Test of Australia’s tour of West Indies in 1999 at Bridgetown, Barbados, Brian Lara scored his 12th Test century as West Indies defeated Australia in a dramatic fashion. Having lost the last Test by 10 wickets at Kingston, Steve Waugh, the then Australian captain, had won the toss and chose to bat.
On the back of centuries from Steve Waugh (199) and Ricky Ponting (104), Australia scored 490-10 in 153.4 overs in the first innings. West Indies’ off break bowler Nehemiah Perry (33-5-102-3) was the highest wicket-taker for the home team.
In reply, Sherwin Campbell’s 105 (271) saw West Indies scoring 329-10 in 103.5 overs. With bowling figures of 33-5-128-4, Glenn McGrath was the pick of the Australian bowlers. A 141-run first innings lead had it in it to put Australia in a dominating position in the match, provided they posted a decent total on the board in the second innings.
Courtney Walsh’s 17th five-wicket haul, 17.1-3-39-5, saw Australia getting bundled out for 146 in 150.1 overs. Shane Warne, who came out to bat at No. 9, top-scored with 32 (48). West Indies were set a target of 308 runs to win the match and gain a 2-1 lead in the series. At Stumps Day 4, they were reduced to 85-3 in 47 overs. Lara was unbeaten on 2*.
West Indies lost a couple of wickets in the form of Adrian Griffith (35) and Carl Hooper (6) in the first hour, thus increasing Australia’s chances of winning the match. It was at this point in time that Lara and Jimmy Adams stitched a 133-run partnership to bring back West Indies into the match. That being said, the match was yet to receive its share of twist.
West Indies lost three wickets for 10 runs only to be reduced at 248-8. For all the hard work that Lara had done, this was the toughest period for his team required another 60 runs to win and he had to bat with a No. 10 in Curtly Ambrose. The legendary fast bowler gave full support to Lara as he hung in the middle for a 54-run partnership. Lara eventually scored the winning run in the 121st over as West Indies won the match by 1 wicket.
Lara ended up scoring 153* (256) with the help of 19 fours and a six. Watch the full video:
