Dampening the spirits
Rain saved New Zealand from certain defeat against India at the Basin Reserve. We look at 11 other instances when the weather had a decisive influence on the result
Derek Underwood finishes with 7 for 50 at The Oval to square the series for England • Getty Images
England v Australia, The Oval, 1968
Facing Derek Underwood on a wet wicket turned out to be a nightmare for the Australians as they battled to save the fifth Test. A draw seemed obvious when rain flooded the outfield at lunch on the fifth day, but miraculously enough, play resumed at 4.45pm, thanks to the sunshine, and the assistance of several volunteers who swept and mopped the ground as if their lives depended on it. England needed to claim the last five wickets in 75 minutes, and after an anxious, wicketless passage of play, Underwood took over. On a drying pitch, the ball almost stopped on pitching and lifted alarmingly; the lower order singularly failed to read him. He claimed the last four wickets in 27 deliveries for six runs, finishing with 7 for 50.
Facing Derek Underwood on a wet wicket turned out to be a nightmare for the Australians as they battled to save the fifth Test. A draw seemed obvious when rain flooded the outfield at lunch on the fifth day, but miraculously enough, play resumed at 4.45pm, thanks to the sunshine, and the assistance of several volunteers who swept and mopped the ground as if their lives depended on it. England needed to claim the last five wickets in 75 minutes, and after an anxious, wicketless passage of play, Underwood took over. On a drying pitch, the ball almost stopped on pitching and lifted alarmingly; the lower order singularly failed to read him. He claimed the last four wickets in 27 deliveries for six runs, finishing with 7 for 50.
England v Pakistan, Lord's, 1974
Six years later Pakistan were at the receiving end of an Underwood attack, this time at Lord's. The Test, in the middle of a wet summer, was dogged by controversy when Pakistan lodged a complaint over the inadequate covering of the pitch. On a spiteful surface, Underwood claimed five and sent Pakistan crashing from 71 for 0 to 130 for 9. England enjoyed the better of the conditions when they batted, and claimed a substantial lead of 140. However, the pitch was battered by more showers on the rest day, thanks to the inadequate experimental covers, and Pakistan were exposed yet again to the deadly Underwood. He took 8 for 51 to halt their fightback and they lost their last seven wickets for 34. England needed only 87 to win but the dreaded rain kept them indoors the entire fifth day. Ultimately luck favoured the visitors, who escaped with a draw.
Six years later Pakistan were at the receiving end of an Underwood attack, this time at Lord's. The Test, in the middle of a wet summer, was dogged by controversy when Pakistan lodged a complaint over the inadequate covering of the pitch. On a spiteful surface, Underwood claimed five and sent Pakistan crashing from 71 for 0 to 130 for 9. England enjoyed the better of the conditions when they batted, and claimed a substantial lead of 140. However, the pitch was battered by more showers on the rest day, thanks to the inadequate experimental covers, and Pakistan were exposed yet again to the deadly Underwood. He took 8 for 51 to halt their fightback and they lost their last seven wickets for 34. England needed only 87 to win but the dreaded rain kept them indoors the entire fifth day. Ultimately luck favoured the visitors, who escaped with a draw.
England v Australia, Lord's, 1934
England and Yorkshire left-arm spinner Hedley Verity's finest hour. He bagged 15 wickets, including 14 in a day, to bowl England to an innings-and-38-run victory. The pitch had initially been perfect for batting: England racked up 440, and opener Bill Brown's century took Australia to a confident 192 for 2 at stumps on day two. Then a severe thunderstorm overnight transformed the track into a virtually unplayable one, and Australia's last eight wickets went down for 81 runs. It was still anybody's game, though, with Australia 284 for 8, six runs short of the follow-on - they had great spinners in Charlie Grimmett and Bill O'Reilly, who could capitalise on the pitch as well as Verity. However, they couldn't force the hosts to bat again, and Verity spun England to their only 20th-century Ashes win at Lord's.
England and Yorkshire left-arm spinner Hedley Verity's finest hour. He bagged 15 wickets, including 14 in a day, to bowl England to an innings-and-38-run victory. The pitch had initially been perfect for batting: England racked up 440, and opener Bill Brown's century took Australia to a confident 192 for 2 at stumps on day two. Then a severe thunderstorm overnight transformed the track into a virtually unplayable one, and Australia's last eight wickets went down for 81 runs. It was still anybody's game, though, with Australia 284 for 8, six runs short of the follow-on - they had great spinners in Charlie Grimmett and Bill O'Reilly, who could capitalise on the pitch as well as Verity. However, they couldn't force the hosts to bat again, and Verity spun England to their only 20th-century Ashes win at Lord's.
Australia v England, Brisbane, 1950
The first Test of the 1950-51 series witnessed a procession of wickets when a typical Brisbane storm struck after Australia were bowled out for 228 on the opening day. The rain had an impact on the pitch, which changed in character from slow to treacherous. The ball either reared up high or kept alarmingly low, and the close-in catchers had a field day. England were at a hopeless 68 for 7 when the captain, Freddie Brown, declared. Not that the Australians had it any better. Alec Bedser and Trevor Bailey shared the wickets to reduce them to an embarrassing 32 for 7 before the Australian captain, Lindsay Hassett, bravely declared to set England a challenging 193. Len Hutton's attacking 62 in a total of 122 was lost in the wreckage. It marked the start of Australia's domination in the series.
The first Test of the 1950-51 series witnessed a procession of wickets when a typical Brisbane storm struck after Australia were bowled out for 228 on the opening day. The rain had an impact on the pitch, which changed in character from slow to treacherous. The ball either reared up high or kept alarmingly low, and the close-in catchers had a field day. England were at a hopeless 68 for 7 when the captain, Freddie Brown, declared. Not that the Australians had it any better. Alec Bedser and Trevor Bailey shared the wickets to reduce them to an embarrassing 32 for 7 before the Australian captain, Lindsay Hassett, bravely declared to set England a challenging 193. Len Hutton's attacking 62 in a total of 122 was lost in the wreckage. It marked the start of Australia's domination in the series.
England v Australia, Edgbaston, 1975
It was a match England lost at the toss. A dull, grey morning ought to have assisted England's seam bowlers, but surprisingly, they struggled as Australia knocked off a more-than-sufficient 359. Rain was forecast through the Test and it arrived at the appointed hour, much to England's disadvantage. Dennis Lillee and Max Walker took five each to sink England to 101 before Australia enforced the follow-on. Jeff Thomson made up for his erratic spell in the first innings to take five in the second - aided by the damp conditions - to inflict a humiliating innings defeat. The result proved decisive to the series as the three remaining games ended in draws.
It was a match England lost at the toss. A dull, grey morning ought to have assisted England's seam bowlers, but surprisingly, they struggled as Australia knocked off a more-than-sufficient 359. Rain was forecast through the Test and it arrived at the appointed hour, much to England's disadvantage. Dennis Lillee and Max Walker took five each to sink England to 101 before Australia enforced the follow-on. Jeff Thomson made up for his erratic spell in the first innings to take five in the second - aided by the damp conditions - to inflict a humiliating innings defeat. The result proved decisive to the series as the three remaining games ended in draws.
South Africa v India, Johannesburg, 1996-97
India recorded their first ever Test win in South Africa in 2006, but they could have achieved the feat nine years earlier, had it not been for rain. They fought back hard at the Wanderers after a royal hammering in the firsst two Tests and had the hosts staring at defeat at 76 for 5 on the fifth day, chasing an improbable 356. A thunderstorm halted play and on resumption, South Africa lost two quick wickets; but then the euphoria turned to frustration as Daryll Cullinan and Lance Klusener combined to add a dogged 127 to keep the visitors at bay. The light deteriorated with four overs left and Cullinan, who saw off the weather and a threatening Javagal Srinath, walked off a hero with an unbeaten 122.
India recorded their first ever Test win in South Africa in 2006, but they could have achieved the feat nine years earlier, had it not been for rain. They fought back hard at the Wanderers after a royal hammering in the firsst two Tests and had the hosts staring at defeat at 76 for 5 on the fifth day, chasing an improbable 356. A thunderstorm halted play and on resumption, South Africa lost two quick wickets; but then the euphoria turned to frustration as Daryll Cullinan and Lance Klusener combined to add a dogged 127 to keep the visitors at bay. The light deteriorated with four overs left and Cullinan, who saw off the weather and a threatening Javagal Srinath, walked off a hero with an unbeaten 122.
England v India, Lord's, 1971
This closely fought match was deserving of a result, one that could have gone either way until rain had the final say. After India gained a slender first-innings lead, their spinners combined to restrict England to 191, leaving them a target of 183 in just under four-and-a-half hours. Sunil Gavaskar and Farokh Engineer went on the attack but the task got tougher as dark clouds gathered. India's downfall was primarily due to reckless batting against the spinner Norman Gifford, and England were firm favourites at 145 for 8. With Bishan Bedi at the crease and the bunny BS Chandrasekhar to come, only a downpour could have saved India and that's precisely what happened after tea. Divine intervention it turned out to be, as India went on to claim a historic series win at The Oval.
This closely fought match was deserving of a result, one that could have gone either way until rain had the final say. After India gained a slender first-innings lead, their spinners combined to restrict England to 191, leaving them a target of 183 in just under four-and-a-half hours. Sunil Gavaskar and Farokh Engineer went on the attack but the task got tougher as dark clouds gathered. India's downfall was primarily due to reckless batting against the spinner Norman Gifford, and England were firm favourites at 145 for 8. With Bishan Bedi at the crease and the bunny BS Chandrasekhar to come, only a downpour could have saved India and that's precisely what happened after tea. Divine intervention it turned out to be, as India went on to claim a historic series win at The Oval.
England v India, Lord's 2007
Thirty-six years later bad light and rain were again the heroes for India in the first Test of a series in England, which they went on to win 1-0. MS Dhoni also played his part in saving the game, making an unbeaten 76, but wasn't helped by some reckless stroke-selection from the tailenders, especially Zaheer Khan and RP Singh. He managed to survive a nervy five overs with last man Sreesanth in the fading light on a drizzly final day before play was called off a few minutes before tea. England and Monty Panesar were convinced they had Sreesanth lbw in what proved to be the game's penultimate over, but umpire Steve Bucknor remained stoic in the face of a loud appeal.
Thirty-six years later bad light and rain were again the heroes for India in the first Test of a series in England, which they went on to win 1-0. MS Dhoni also played his part in saving the game, making an unbeaten 76, but wasn't helped by some reckless stroke-selection from the tailenders, especially Zaheer Khan and RP Singh. He managed to survive a nervy five overs with last man Sreesanth in the fading light on a drizzly final day before play was called off a few minutes before tea. England and Monty Panesar were convinced they had Sreesanth lbw in what proved to be the game's penultimate over, but umpire Steve Bucknor remained stoic in the face of a loud appeal.
Australia v England, Melbourne, 1937
The match that featured the innings Wisden rated the best Test knock of all time. Don Bradman's match-winning second-innings 270 came with him batting at the unusually low position of No. 7, with Australia 0-2 down in the series, against a potent bowling attack including Gubby Allen, Bill Voce and Verity, on a rain-affected pitch, with his reputation as a captain and batsman on the line. And he was struggling with the flu to boot. Australia's modest 200 in the first innings turned into a daunting total after a deluge made the pitch a batsman's nightmare. England declared at 76 for 9, and in a bid to save his batsmen from the worst of a rapidly improving track, Bradman resorted to sending in the less-than-formidable O'Reilly (batting average 12.81) and Chuck Fleetwood-Smith (9) as openers. Both were out quickly, but Australia went on to make 564, set England a target of 689 and bowl them out for less than half that.
The match that featured the innings Wisden rated the best Test knock of all time. Don Bradman's match-winning second-innings 270 came with him batting at the unusually low position of No. 7, with Australia 0-2 down in the series, against a potent bowling attack including Gubby Allen, Bill Voce and Verity, on a rain-affected pitch, with his reputation as a captain and batsman on the line. And he was struggling with the flu to boot. Australia's modest 200 in the first innings turned into a daunting total after a deluge made the pitch a batsman's nightmare. England declared at 76 for 9, and in a bid to save his batsmen from the worst of a rapidly improving track, Bradman resorted to sending in the less-than-formidable O'Reilly (batting average 12.81) and Chuck Fleetwood-Smith (9) as openers. Both were out quickly, but Australia went on to make 564, set England a target of 689 and bowl them out for less than half that.
England v South Africa, The Oval, 1965
South Africa's record in England as they entered the series made for sorry reading: only one series win in nine attempts, and four victories in 41 Tests. However, going into the final match with a 1-0 lead, they seemed on course to take the series after setting a target of 399. Seventies from Eric Russell, Ken Barrington and Colin Cowdrey gave them some anxious moments, though. A riveting finale was in the offing with Cowdrey unbeaten on 78, and England needing 91 in 70 minutes with six wickets remaining; a cloudburst, though, had the decisive say, ruling out further play. It was South Africa's final day of Test cricket in England for nearly 30 years.
South Africa's record in England as they entered the series made for sorry reading: only one series win in nine attempts, and four victories in 41 Tests. However, going into the final match with a 1-0 lead, they seemed on course to take the series after setting a target of 399. Seventies from Eric Russell, Ken Barrington and Colin Cowdrey gave them some anxious moments, though. A riveting finale was in the offing with Cowdrey unbeaten on 78, and England needing 91 in 70 minutes with six wickets remaining; a cloudburst, though, had the decisive say, ruling out further play. It was South Africa's final day of Test cricket in England for nearly 30 years.
South Africa v England, Centurion, 2000
What was initially applauded as a victory for cricket and for common sense turned out to be the first Test in which match-fixing was proven. With the second, third and fourth days of the Test washed out, the dead rubber was heading for a bore draw. Hansie Cronje suggested to Nasser Hussain that both teams forfeit one innings each to set up a gripping final day. Hussain accepted the offer after observing how well the track played early on the fifth day, and England pulled off a thrilling two-wicket win off the final over. After the game, Hussain showered Cronje with praise: "It was a very special thing that Hansie did." Only later did it emerge that Cronje had been urged to make the offer of forfeiting an innings by a bookie, who gave him 53,000 rand and a leather jacket in exchange for "making a game of it".
What was initially applauded as a victory for cricket and for common sense turned out to be the first Test in which match-fixing was proven. With the second, third and fourth days of the Test washed out, the dead rubber was heading for a bore draw. Hansie Cronje suggested to Nasser Hussain that both teams forfeit one innings each to set up a gripping final day. Hussain accepted the offer after observing how well the track played early on the fifth day, and England pulled off a thrilling two-wicket win off the final over. After the game, Hussain showered Cronje with praise: "It was a very special thing that Hansie did." Only later did it emerge that Cronje had been urged to make the offer of forfeiting an innings by a bookie, who gave him 53,000 rand and a leather jacket in exchange for "making a game of it".
Siddarth Ravindran and Kanishkaa Balachandran are sub-editors at Cricinfo