Image Credit- Cricket Australia.
Venue- WACA Ground, Perth [January 1993]
In the Australian summer of 1992-93, West Indian Cricket Team toured Australia to play 5 test matches. At the end of 4 tests, the series was levelled at 1-1. It was thus a must win game for both the teams if they wanted to lift the cup.
It is interesting to note that when Curtly Ambrose looked at the WACA pitch before the start of the game, he went to his skipper and said that you win the toss; we will win the match and the series. It is because the pitch looked perfect for fast bowling. However it was the Australian Captain Allan Border who won the toss and surprisingly elected to bat first.
On a bowling friendly wicket Australians had a solid start. At one stage their scorecard read 85-2. It appeared that they will reach a fighting total on such hard wicket. But, what happened next was something truly unbelievable. Curtly Ambrose in his small spell of 32 deliveries picked up 7 Australian wickets for just 1 run. In no time the entire Australian team was torn apart. From 85/2 they were all out for a small total of 119. The Windies were truly back in the game.
Riding on Phil Simmons 80 and Keith Arthurton's 77 the visitors ended up scoring 322 in their first innings. In response the Aussies were bowled out for just 178 in their second innings. Ian Bishop picked up 6 whereas Ambrose picked up 2 wickets in the second innings. The Windies won the game by an innings and 25 runs. Furthermore they also won the 5 match series 2-1. For his extraordinary spell Curtly Ambrose was awarded the man of the match award.
To watch that iconic spell of Ambrose, Click Here.
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