Line and Length
Cricketer Of The Year
Discussions on cricket generally focus on fine innings and great bowling performances that are often matchwinners.
This thread takes a look at partnerships that have saved matches.
One of my earliest memories of Test cricket was listening to the final day's play of the 2nd 1953 Ashes Test played at Lords. Willie Watson and Trevor "Barnacle" Bailey came together at 4 - 73 with almost 5 hours to play and an improbable 270 needed for victory. They withstood the whole range of Australian bowling (led by Lindwall and Davidson) until Watson, in his first Ashes Test, was dismissed for 109 at 5.50pm. He had batted for 345 minutes taking 201 minutes over his second fifty. Bailey followed shortly afterwards for 71 having batted for 255 minutes. There was no last minute reversal after the sterling rescue by this pair.
Watson played just 23 Tests making 2 centuries and 3 fifties at a modest 28.85 while Bailey was more of an all-rounder. He (Bailey) played 61 Tests making one century and 10 fifties @ 29.74 while capturing 132 wickets @ 29.21
I still remember listening to the broadcast of the day's play as a boy. I recall being upset and disappointed when they both fell, but they had saved the game.
No doubt there have been many similar match-saving partnerships in recent times and I look forward to reading about those you have seen or listened to.
This thread takes a look at partnerships that have saved matches.
One of my earliest memories of Test cricket was listening to the final day's play of the 2nd 1953 Ashes Test played at Lords. Willie Watson and Trevor "Barnacle" Bailey came together at 4 - 73 with almost 5 hours to play and an improbable 270 needed for victory. They withstood the whole range of Australian bowling (led by Lindwall and Davidson) until Watson, in his first Ashes Test, was dismissed for 109 at 5.50pm. He had batted for 345 minutes taking 201 minutes over his second fifty. Bailey followed shortly afterwards for 71 having batted for 255 minutes. There was no last minute reversal after the sterling rescue by this pair.
Watson played just 23 Tests making 2 centuries and 3 fifties at a modest 28.85 while Bailey was more of an all-rounder. He (Bailey) played 61 Tests making one century and 10 fifties @ 29.74 while capturing 132 wickets @ 29.21
I still remember listening to the broadcast of the day's play as a boy. I recall being upset and disappointed when they both fell, but they had saved the game.
No doubt there have been many similar match-saving partnerships in recent times and I look forward to reading about those you have seen or listened to.
