Leeds Ashes Test thriller: Five other instances of famous one wicket wins

The Leeds Ashes Test witnessed an absolute humdinger with England pulling off a remarkable win. Chasing 359, England looked to be out at 286/9 but Stokes shared a brilliant 76-run stand for the final wicket as England secured a thrilling one-wicekt win. Ben Stokes slammed 135 and England had drawn level in the five-match Ashes series. Stokes' efforts have given England hope that they can reclaim the Ashes and end their golden summer on a high after winning the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Following the end of the Leeds Test, here are five other famous instances when the tail played a part in a tense one-wicket win. 

1) Kusal Perera scripts history for Sri Lanka - South Africa vs Sri Lanka Durban 2019

Sri Lanka had a poor record in Tests in South Africa, registering a win in just one Test in almost two decades. In Durban, Sri Lanka had to chase a total in excess of 300 and they looked to be out of the contest at 226/9. However, Kusal Perera had other ideas and he proceeded to counterattack in grand style. Vishwa Fernando, the No.11, took some blows in his body as Kusal Perera found the boundary at regular intervals. Kusal's knock of 153 and his partnership of 78 with Fernando gave Sri Lanka a famous victory and they went on to create history by becoming the first Asian nation to win a Test series in South Africa.

2) Jimmy Adams holds nerve for West Indies - West Indies vs Pakistan Antigua 2000

It was a Test match of fine margins. Pakistan made 269 thanks to Mohammad Yousuf's 103 while West Indies managed a slender four-run lead. Pakistan were bowled out for 215 and in response, Wasim Akram produced a masterclass of swing bowling. Having taken six wickets in the first innings, Akram went on to take five wickets in the second innings as West Indies were staring down the barrel at 197/9. However, Jimmy Adams, the West Indies skipper who hit 60 in the first innings, was once again in the forefront and by taking singles and braces, West Indies neared the target. Pakistan missed a massive run-out chance when both batsmen were at the same end and it cost them dearly as Adams helped West Indies sneak over the line and win the series. 

3) A Very Very Special escape - India vs Australia Mohali 2010

VVS Laxman had always made it a point to hurt Australia in Tests on a regular basis. His 281 in Eden Gardens changed the course of cricket history and halted Australia's run of 16 consecutive Test match wins. India needed 216 for victory and were in deep trouble at 124/8. Laxman, plagued with a back spasm, batted valiantly and he found a good ally in Ishant Sharma who batted like a top order batsman. Ishant and Laxman rotated the strike regularly and found the boundaries when the opportunity presented itself. When Ishant was dismissed for 31, India still needed 11 runs and Pragyan Ojha was almost run-out, earning the wrath of Laxman. However, Laxman and Ojha combined to get India over the line and once again hurt Australia.

4) Inzamam ul Haq and the Karachi great escape - Pakistan vs Australia 1994

Australia were looking to register their first win in Pakistan after almost 30 years and they came close in Karachi. Pakistan were reduced to 258/9 and Australia had come close to sealing a win in Pakistan's fortress in Karachi. However, Inzamam displayed his match-winning prowess and he found a brilliant ally in Mushtaq Ahmed. Australia. plagued with injuries to bowlers, struggled to break the stand and Pakistan closed in. When Inzamam looked to smash Shane Warne over midwicket with just four runs needed, he missed and was in danger of being stumped but wicketkeeper Ian Healy missed it and Pakistan had secured a famous win in Karachi.

5) New Zealand withstand the Caribbean might - New Zealand vs West Indies 1980

The West Indies were at the peak of their dominance in the 80s. New Zealand were expected to be blown away by West Indies' mighty pace quartet but they pulled off a surprise in Dunedin. Sir Richard Hadlee took 11 wickets and New Zealand needed 104 runs to pull off a sensational win. At 73/8, New Zealand looked to be down and out but Lance Cairns held firm. West Indies had a caught behind appeal denied and this incensed Michael Holding who kicked two stumps out of the pitch in anger. Cairns and Gary Troup shared a 27-run stand for the ninth wicket but once Cairns was dismissed, New Zealand needed four runs. Troup and Stephen Boock knocked off the runs in tense fashion as New Zealand won by one wicket. West Indies lost the series 0-1 and this would be their only loss for 15 years.

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HIGHLIGHTS

• England levelled the five-match Ashes series 1-1.
• Ben Stokes blasted his eighth Test century.
• This was Australia's sixth one-wicket loss in Tests, the most for any team.