November 1 to 15, 2001 was test crickets hectic fortnight. Four test series in different parts of the world commenced and presently are in progress. Eight teams are vying for supremacy. At Bloemfontein South Africa out played India. At Dhaka Bangladesh who were certainly heading for a sixth successive defeat, were at last rescued by rain to earn the first draw in their short test cricket history. At Brisbane, good fortune favoured Australia in barely escaping certain defeat, leaving the courageous Black Caps stranded, 10 runs short of what would have been a famous victory. The return of Chris Cairns to the New Zealand team was the marked difference. At Galle, Brian Lara posted a brilliant century (178) but Sri Lanka's bowling magician triggered a West-Indies collapse with 6-126 and strongly placed at 423-4, the West Indies lost six quick wickets for only 25-runs.

Presented below is a brief review of three recently completed test matches:

Bloemfontein Test, 3-7 November 2001:
India's woes continued. They lost the first of a 3-test series at Bloemfontein by 9-wickets. South Africa had already been declared strong favourites in the test yet, on the first day India showed fine character by posting an imposing score of 372 for 7. Sachin's return had made immediate impact on the performance of the team. The newcomer V Sehwag (105) assisted the champion batsman to yield a 220-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Tendulkar notched, up his 26th century (155). In reply, centuries by Gibbs (107), and Klusener (108) and other equally brilliant knocks by Kirsten (73), Kallis (68) and McKenzie (68) helped South Africa gain a substantial 184 runs lead. Despite South African batsman's dominance Javagal Srinath bowled his heart out and claimed 5 for 140 to become the 5th Indian bowler to claim 200 test wickets. Srinath was playing his 54th test. However the most distinguished feature of South African innings was a characteristically thunderous knock by Lance Klusener. South African Captain Shaun Pollock demolished the Indian 2nd innings taking six wickets for 56 and that sealed the fate of the test match. India were dismissed for a relatively low total of 237 in the second innings and South Africa easily sailed to victory with a day to spare. Shaun Pollock claimed 10-wickets for 147 runs.

Dhaka Test, 8-12 November 2001:
If one goes through the history of Test Cricket, at least Bangladesh is doing better than the South Africans had done in their start. Finally, Bangladesh's losing streak ended helped by fortunate weather. Persistent rain forced the first test between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe to end in a draw. Needing another 199 runs to make Zimbabwe bat again, Bangladesh seemed headed for another innings defeat placed at the low score 125 for 3 in the second innings. Zimbabwe had amassed 431 in reply to the home team's paltry 107 in the first innings. Of note was superb all-round performance by 20-year old Travis Friend scoring 81 and claiming 5 for 31 in Bangladesh's first and 2/26 in the second but incomplete innings. He had put Zimbabwe on course to an innings victory which was later robbed by rain. Craig Wishart (84), Douglas Marillier (73) and Heath Streak (65) were the other notable scorers. For Bangladesh, Habibul Bashar (65) scored another fifty and Mashrafe Mortaza, claimed 4 for 106, Enamul Haque 3 for 74 and Manjural Islam 2 for 74.

Brisbane Test, 8-12 November 2001:
The weather affected first Test between Australia and New Zealand ended in a draw after two sporting declarations by the rival captains that set up a pulsating finish in the end. Australia was certainly at the receiving end when New Zealand's gallant effort had come within 10 runs of a famous victory in the drawn game. New Zealand were set to score 284 runs to win off 57 overs.

Earlier, 10 hours play had been lost to rain over the three previous days. Australia eventually tasted their first draw in 24 tests since September 1999 in Sri Lanka at Colombo. The final day saw 459-runs scored and fall of 11 wickets. Only on eight previous occasions had more runs been scored in a day in a test-match. New Zealand had won the toss and put Australia into bat. Hayden (136), Gilchrist (118) and Langer (104) scored centuries and Australia firmly in the driving seat after declaring at 486 for 9 in the first innings. In reply, New Zealand were 147 for 5 at one stage but their match hero, Chris Cairns, who had earlier claimed 5-146 in the Aussie first innings, stroked 61 to stage Black Cap's recovery. The other New Zealand hero was Dion Nash who hung on for 93 minutes and scored 25 to ensure his team avoided follow-on and New Zealand declared at 287 for 8. Australia's Steve Waugh took the example by heart and declared their second innings at 84 for 2 to challenge New Zealand.

In return, a determined New Zealand took up the challenge and were on course for a memorable win requiring 97 runs off 15 overs in the final hour. Opener Mark Richardson (57), Stephen Fleming (57), Nathan Astle (49) and Chris Cairns (43) all contributed quick runs in a brave bid for victory against the top team in Test cricket. New Zealand looked well set to pull off an extraordinary victory needing only 13-runs off the last four balls when Aussies tremendous One-Day experience helped them overcome the panic and avert defeat. What an exciting finish!

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