Finishing almost a hundred years to the day of the first Test, on March 17, 1977, the single Centenary Test at the MCG had more memorable moments than most Test series.
There was Rick McCosker, who was bowled off his jaw by Bob Willis, bravely returning, bandaged and wired up, in the second innings. Australia made just 138. Then there was the inspired and inspirational bowling of Dennis Lillee whose 5/26 doomed England to a paltry 95.
Then Australia’s fighting second innings, with young David Hookes lashing Tony Greig for five consecutive fours, before being bowled by Derek Underwood one ball later for 56.
There was Rod Marsh’s 110, a cameo 66 from Doug Walters, and McCosker’s return at number 9. And where you thought England might cave in, faced with a deficit of 463, the old enemy was 2/267 at lunch on the fifth day, with Lillee labouring and Gilmour injured, and Randall batting eccentrically on.
Randall was given out on 161, but Marsh signalled that he hadn’t taken the catch cleanly - but Randall was out at 174. The result, made in cricket heaven was 45, exactly the same as 100 years before.
Back to top