Year in Review: Top 5 Test performances of 2013

1. Stuart Broad’s 11/121 vs Australia (Ashes, 4^th Test, Chester-le-Street)

The Ashes always brings to its watchers special performances that will be remembered in the cricketing fraternity for a long time to come. This year was no different, which saw some stunning cricket being played between England and Australia.

This particular game, Australia might have seen a ray of hope of winning this Test after being 2-0 down already in the series, having dismissed England for 238 at the start of Day 2 before they came in to bat, blissfully unaware of the Broad-storm that was going to strike them soon.

David Warner was the first to depart for just 3, after being bold by Broad who decided to start things with his wicket. Usman Khawaja then departed without troubling the scorers, giving a straightforward catch to Prior behind the stumps. Australia had lost 2 wickets with the score of only 12 on the board. Skipper Michael Clarke, who stuck around for some time for his 6, got caught in slip in the 14th over.

They Aussies did have a partnership of 129 in between for the 5th wicket, before Broad struck again to remove Shane Watson who made 64 before edging it to the wicketkeeper. The Aussies bettered the English score and ended at 270. This is what made the game interesting. England replied with 330, helped by Ian Bell’s ton. Australia were put in to bat before lunch on day 4 for the final time, with 299 required to win.

A draw was out of the question with almost 2 days left in the game. Australia sailed through to 100 without losing a wicket. Graeme Swann got the first wicket for England when he sent back Chris Rogers. David Warner and Khawaja also departed sometime after, but things were still under control.

Until Broad started his flurry of wickets starting with skipper Clarke, clipping his off-stump with a beautiful delivery that swung away from him. Steven Smith played on a short delivery onto his stumps, and suddenly the equation of the match was changed. They still required more than 100 to win now with just 5 wickets left.

Soon after Bresnan removed Watson, and the very next over Broad claimed Haddin leg before. The batting collapse that happened had reduced them from 174/3 to 181/7, and in a space of 5 overs the whole scenario of the game had changed, and England were the new favourites. Broad then cleaned up the remaining 3 wickets-Ryan Harris went leg before, Nathan Lyon had no answer to a full in-swinger that disturbed his stumps, and when Peter Siddle was caught at mid-off by Anderson, England could not control their delight as they secured the urn, and that too in style.

Broad was the man of the moment having picked up 6 wickets this time, bettering his figures of 5/71 of the previous innings, with 6/50 this time. England had pulled out a win from nowhere, and they had their bowlers to thank. Australia went back disappointed to say the least.