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Top 5 partnerships in Test cricket which came in a losing cause

New Zealand v Australia - 2nd Test: Day 4

Partnerships are always the key to a team’s victory in cricket. Over the years, there have been numerous partnerships in Test cricket which have gone down in the history books and have been crucial to a side's triumph.

However, there have been many big partnerships that have resulted in defeat for the respective team. Here are the 5 biggest Test partnerships in a losing cause.


#5 281- Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh against West Indies at Bridgetown, 1999

Ponting and Steve Waugh's brilliant partnership could not prevent Australia from losing an exciting Test against West Indies
Ponting and Steve Waugh's brilliant partnership could not prevent Australia from losing an exciting Test against West Indies

Australia and West Indies were tied 1-1, when the Test series between the two teams shifted towards the third Test at Barbados. Australia batted first and were 144/4 when Ricky Ponting came in to join skipper Steve Waugh.

Both batsmen batted superbly and reached their respective centuries. The duo added 281 runs for the fifth wicket before Ponting was dismissed by Nehemiah Perry for 104. Waugh was later dismissed by Perry, falling a run short of his double-century. Australia ended their first innings at 490.

Some brilliant bowling by Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie gave the visitors a 161-run lead. However, Courtney Walsh’s sensational spell of 5/39 bundled the Aussies for a paltry 146 in the second innings.

The hosts needed 308 to win the match and were struggling because of the bowling efforts of McGrath and Gillespie again. However, Brian Lara carried the team on his shoulders and scored a magnificent 153, which saw the Windies through with one wicket left.

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