Arthur Crabtree wrote:Athers v Donald was a thrilling contest, but no need for the Test to be selected.
Id totally disagree. If I wanted to pick the shining example of what test cricket is to me, it was that 4th evening. The game was a thrilling spectacle, England had come out all guns blazing, Cronje fought back with a blinder along with a combative Pollock. They set a total that looked like a winner on an up and down deck, we then came out to bat in hostile conditions and put 150 without a wicket down, then cue a cluster of wickets. They fought back, took a narrow but significant lead, we got into them. And then came that passage of play. At various stages in the first innings, both teams looked on top. It see-sawed into an epic battle. Even when England had South Africa 5 down for under a 100 in the 3rd innings, you felt with the 50 odd run lead it might not be enough on that deck.
The scorecard made it look easy, but the game was up in the air. 250 required on that pitch, in the 90s when 250 on day 4 was really some ask..... you just couldnt take your eyes off it. One wicket seemed like it could bring all 10 quickly. And South Africa tried. God they tried.....
The most compelling day of sport in my lifetime. And thats before you add the significance of what it meant for the English game after a period of woeful performance. The 5th test was also a barnstormer. The 3rd test was lopsided but who can forget Gus Fraser blocking out Donald at full pace for a few overs to avoid a crushing defeat.
Thorpe's SL efforts in 2001 were a joy. The Pakistan victory was immense in the same year, but then again the nature of it was a farce and it taints it somewhat. 2005 Edgbaston ending felt pure Ecstasy, if only because the preceding hour before the Kasper wicket felt like you knew what was coming. You went through that annoying motion of a convincing and important victory turning into one which Australia could take a lot away form (which felt important at the time for England's momentum), to the beginnings of panic that it might be tight, to praying for the final wicket. The OT test was very good too.