Top 5 match-saving performances on the final day of test
#2 New Zealand against Australia at Perth, 1989
New Zealand faced off against Australia in November 1989 at Perth in a one-off Test match, and it turned out to be one of the most epic draws of all time. The visitors asked the hosts to bat first, and the hosts put themselves in a strong position thanks to Boon, whose double hundred saw them get to a score of 9/521 in their first innings.
When the visitors came in to bat in their 1st innings, they were skittled out for just 231 as Aussie pacer Merv Hughes picked up 4 wickets. The follow-on was enforced and the Kiwis were once again in early trouble at 2/11.
New Zealand’s left-hander Mark Greatbatch held fort at one end, even as the visitors lost more wickets and were in a precarious position at 4/168 when the fourth day of match ended. On the final day of match, Mark Greatbatch carried on in a similar vein as the previous day, but the Kiwis were jolted by the dismissals of Crowe and Ian Smith in quick succession.
Cairns joined the set batsman out in the middle and the duo added vital 45 runs for the seventh wicket. After Chris Cairns got out, Snedden came in and batted with grit to stitch an unbeaten 88-run partnership which ensured that the test match ended in a draw. Greatbatch was awarded with the Man of the Match award for his resolute 146 off 485 balls.
