After New Zealand’s Henry Nicholls’ bizarre dismissal against England at Headingley on Thursday, we look at three other freak Test dismissals.
Wayne Phillips, Australia vs England, Edgbaston, 1985
England and Australia were all square at 1-1 heading into the fifth Test of a six-match Ashes series.
Wayne Phillips was helping bat Australia to the safety of a draw when, on 59, he cut at left-arm spinner Phil Edmonds, the ball looping off Allan Lamb’s instep at silly point, straight to England captain David Gower at silly mid-off.
England claimed the catch and umpire David Shepherd, after consulting with David Constant at square leg, gave Phillips out.
In an era before the decision review system (DRS) there was no way for a distraught Phillips to challenge the verdict and TV replays were inconclusive in any event.
Phillips’ exit sparked a collapse, with Australia bowled out for 142 in an innings and 118-run defeat. England moved 2-1 up and another innings win at The Oval meant they regained the Ashes.
Dean Jones, Australia vs West Indies, Georgetown, Guyana, 1991
Australia batsman Dean Jones had made just three in a Test in Guyana when he was clean bowled by West Indies quick Courtney Walsh.
Umpire Clyde Cumberbatch, however, had called no-ball – something Jones didn’t hear amid the din of a noisy crowd celebrating his exit.
Non-striker Border, however, was yelling at Jones to get back in his crease but the onrushing Carl Hooper reacted quicker, grabbing the ball and uprooting the one stump still standing to complete a run-out.
Nevertheless, Jones should have been reprieved under Law 38.2, which states: “If a no-ball has been called, the striker shall not be given run out unless he attempts to run.” Jones had not made any attempt to go for a run.
A tense situation was compounded by the fact that, in an age before neutral umpires, the home board provided the match officials. By the time it was realised a mistake had been made, Jones had left the field and it was too late to reverse the decision.
Sachin Tendulkar, India vs Australia, Adelaide, 1999
One of the more infamous ducks in cricket history took place when India hero Sachin Tendulkar ducked low into a Glenn McGrath bouncer during a Test at Adelaide. But he failed to evade the delivery and was given out by home umpire Daryl Harper after the ball thudded into his left arm near the elbow.
Australia were adamant the ‘Little Master’ was out but his millions of fans at home and abroad thought differently.
Tendulkar’s dismissal left India reeling at 27-4 and they went on to lose the match by 285 runs.
© Agence France-Presse
