What are your favourite cricket moments???
This week marks an incredible moment in the history of cricket: the 2000th Test match is to be played at the home of cricket, Lord’s.
In the run up to the occasion, I ‘ve been asking some of the team here at Laureus to offer their thoughts on those Test matches from the past that they have found most unforgettable…
Here’s a brief selection:
Will: Sydney Cricket Ground, 2011 – For me it was being at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January watching us win the Ashes in Australia for the first time since before I was born. Having spent the previous month staying up most of the night watching on TV, it was amazing to be able to watch the climax live in person on my first visit to Australia. The atmosphere was incredible as the SCG opened its gates for free, and the only people in the stadium were thousands of English cricket supporters, joining a huge contigent of the Barmy Army singing away. The next day made it extra special as I had the opportunity to meet one of the protagonists, Paul Collingwood, as well as some of the people involved in historic Ashes series at a Laureus project visit.
Shelly: Chennai, 2008 – One of the most impressive and emotional test innings, which I have witnessed, was Sachin Tendulkar’s 103 not out to defeat England in Chennai 2008. Tendulkar dedicated the victory to the victims of the recent terrorist attacks on Mumbai.
David: The Oval, 2005 – Shane Warne drops Kevin Pietersen on the final day of the fifth test in 2005. Warne and Pietersen were friends and Pietersen goes on to score over 150, saving the fifth test and therefore ensuring England win the Ashes for the first time in years.
Marcus: Antigua, 2004 -Brian Lara’s record-breaking 400 not out for West Indies against England in 2004 was an incredible innings from arguably the most elegant batsman of all time. Matthew Hayden had recently broken Lara’s previous record and this was a memorable response in front of the packed crowd in Antigua.
Roger: Old Trafford, 2005 – Michael Vaughan 167 (or something) – basically stuffed the Aussies and won the Ashes.
Natasha: Old Trafford, 1956 – This is going to be an old one, which, though I wasn’t around at the time, as a cricket fan my Dad has told me about it countless times. It was the the Test in ’56 when he took all 10 wickets. Just an AMAZING thing to achieve.
Now you’ve heard some of our favourite Test match moments, we would love to hear some of yours.
Do you think there are any others worth mentioning? How about those not involving England and their Ashes victories???
Send us your favourite Test moments in the box below and follow us on @LaureusSport to find out the most popular!!
Tony Hawk visits Indigo Skate Camp
Laureus World Sports Academy Member skateboard legend Tony Hawk has presented a brand new portable Half-Pipe to the Indigo Youth Movement in Isithumba, a country village near Durban.
1. Liverpool vs Manchester United
Liverpool get their title campaign back on track with a win against their most bitter of rivals in a dramatic 2-0 victory at Anfield. Goals from Fernando Torres and David Ngog seal the win for the Reds.
2. The NFL in London
The NFL returned to Wembley Stadium for the third time in three years as the New England Patriots destroyed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 35-7 in front of nearly 90,000 fans.
3. Jensen Button – World Formula One Champion
Jensen Button sealed his first Formula One World Championship in Brazil after leading the Drivers Championship since the beginning of the year. The Brawn driver made it two wins in two years for British drivers after Lewis Hamilton’s win in 2008.
4. Valentino Rossi – World MotoGP Champion
Valentino Rossi won his seventh MotoGP World Championship in Malaysia with one race to spare. The Italian, who many consider the best to ever race motorbikes, finished the race in third place for the Yamaha team.
5. Barcelona lose to Rubin Kazan in Champions League
This week saw one of the biggest shocks ever to take place in the UEFA Champions League as European Champions Barcelona went down 2-1 at home to Rubin Kazan. The Russian Champions are taking place in their first ever Champions League and were virtual unknowns outside of Russia before this season.
This week was highlighted by last minute wins from two of the biggest teams either side of the Atlantic so let’s start with them:
1. Michael Owen scored a dramatic late goal to seal victory for Manchester United in one of the great derby matches of all time. It was the coolest of finishes from a classic predator striker. Instead of the goal (which you’ve probably seen five times already), enjoy this clip from Sky’s fanzone:
2. 11 points down with 5.35 left on the clock; things were looking bleak for the Patriots in last week’s NFL game against the Buffalo Bills. Fortunately they have someone called Tom Brady at quarterback and 2 touchdown drives later, the Pats walked off the pitch with a 25-24 win under their belt.
3. Hole-in-one for 1 Million dollars? No problem:
1. Kim Clijsters. Greatest Comeback Ever? Quite possibly. Her US Open win certainly ranks up there with the famous comebacks by Michael Jordan, Lance Armstrong and George Foreman. Congratulations Kim, we reckon that’s a guaranteed Laureus nomination*.
2. Not for the first time, Roger Federer does something pretty special. He called it the “greatest shot I ever hit in my life”. Who are we to argue?
3. Congratulations to Germany for beating England in the Women’s European Cup Final. German’s convincing 6-2 win included an incredible 40-yard goal from Melanie Behringer (at 4:04 below)
