Tim's ATG Test Series - First and Second Tests

Despite the two teams carrying '1st XI' and '2nd XI' monikers, the talent on display would seem to ensure an evenly contested series, and that was certainly the case over the course of the first two Tests...

First Test - Cape Town
Tim's 1st XI took the first match in Cape Town despite being skittled for 79 by tea on the first day, when a dramatic opening spell from Lillee reduced the 1st XI to 0-3 then 4-4, with Sutcliffe, Bradman, Hammond and Sobers all dispatched for ducks. Headley's 96 gave the 2nd XI a 154 run first innings lead, but Hutton responded with an eight hour 142 second time round, and consistent support down the order set the 2nd XI 243 to win on the final day. Warne and Muralitharan then got to work on a wearing pitch and the 2nd XI never stood a chance as the two greatest wicket takers in Test history secured a comfortable 143 run victory.

1st XI 1st Inns 79 (Lillee 5-29)
2nd XI 1st Inns 233 (Headley 96, Pollock 51; Muralitharan 4-26, Marshall 4-54)
1st XI 2nd Inns 396 (Hutton 142, Bradman 65, Hammond 44; Davidson 5-89)
2nd XI 2nd Inns 99 (Warne 5-30, Muralitharan 4-35)

TIM'S 1st XI WON BY 143 RUNS


Man of the Match: L Hutton

2nd Test - Lord's
The 2nd XI responded in fine style at Headquarters and levelled the series after controlling the match from start to finish. They racked up a commanding 453 in the first innings with Gavaskar's 153 the fulcrum, and only an epic innings from Don Bradman kept the 1st XI in the game, his 241 out of 383 ranking amongst the truly great individual performances. Muralitharan completed his ten wicket match haul to restrict the 2nd XI's scoring in the second innings, but Gavaskar's fourth evening declaration set Imran's team 277 to win, and despite a defiant 79* from Imran himself the task was too much, with Dennis Lillee topping and tailing the innings to finish with his second five-for in successive Tests.

2nd XI 1st Inns 453 (Gavaskar 153, Lara 98, Hobbs 71; Muralitharan 6-95)
1st XI 1st Inns 383 (Bradman 241; Hadlee 5-87)
2nd XI 2nd Inns 206-8 dec. (Lara 50, Pollock 45; Muralitharan 4-46)
1st XI 2nd Inns 197 (Imran Khan 79*, Hammond 54; Lillee 6-27)

TIM'S 2nd XI WON BY 79 RUNS


Man of the Match: DG Bradman

So, 1-1 after two Tests, with the 2nd XI striking back well. Bradman, Gavaskar and Hutton have all compiled epic innings, whilst Muralitharan and Lillee have been the undoubted stars with the ball. Reports on the remainder of the series will follow very soon...