Five of the best test matches ever played

2. England beat Australia by 18 runs – Headingly, 1981

The Ashes 1981

Score- Australia 401 & 111; England 174 & 356

As per many cricket experts, this is the greatest test match of all time. The series is simply dubbed as ‘Ian Botham’s Ashes’. This was just the second time in Test match history that the side following on had won. At the point when Ian Botham landed to bat in England’s second innings, they were five wickets down and still 122 runs behind.

England lost their next two wickets in quick successions and it looked all over for them. Only then came an awesome inning from Ian Botham (149 not out from 148 balls with 27 fours and a six), aided by a fine fifty from Graham Dilley. The pair put a rapid 117 run partnership for the 8th wicket. Chasing the target of 130, Australia was cruising at 56 for one. Then an astonishing spell of 8-43 by Bob Willis shattered the Australian innings for 111.

3. South Africa lost to England on the very last ball of the match – Durban, 1948

SA vs England

Score- South Africa 161 & 219; England 253 & 128

Chasing a target of 128 from 28 overs, England was 126 for 8 at the end of 27.5 overs. With three balls left any one of four results remained possible. Alec Bedser was on strike with Cliff Gladwin at the non-striker's end. Bedser leveled the score with a single and changed the end. Gladwin missed the second ball.

Afterward, in a deep conversation, he and Bedser decided to race in any outcome except the wicket being hit. As the bowler commenced his run-up, all the South African fielders ran towards the wicket to prevent the single which would win the match. Gladwin swung his bat, but again missed his stroke and the ball struck his thigh and bounced a yard or two in front of him. Before the fielder from the short leg picked the ball, both the batsmen changed their end. A drama came to an end.