On May 3, 1995, Australia beat the West Indies by an innings and 53 runs at Sabina Park to take the four-Test series 2-1 — and end West Indian dominance of Test cricket after 15 years and 29 unbeaten series. Steve Waugh's 200 and a 231 stand with twin Mark anchored the win.
The West Indies had been unbeatable since 1980 thanks to a permanent rotation of four pace bowlers. The 1995 series was widely seen as the last great West Indies team's last stand. Steve Waugh's confrontation with Ambrose in Trinidad — 'don't write cheques your body can't cash' — had set the tone.
Series level 1-1 going into Sabina Park. The first Test (Bridgetown) was a draw; Australia won the second (Trinidad); West Indies won the third (Bridgetown again). Sabina Park, Kingston, was the decider.
The West Indies had not lost a Test series for 15 years — back to 1980 in New Zealand. They had been undefeated through the Greenidge-Haynes-Richards-Lloyd-Marshall-Garner-Holding-Roberts golden decade and into the Ambrose-Walsh-Bishop era. Australia, captained by Mark Taylor, arrived in the Caribbean in March 1995 specifically determined to end it. The first three Tests were level 1-1 going into Sabina Park. The match-defining moment came when Steve Waugh, who had taken five blows to the body from Curtly Ambrose in Trinidad in the second Test (and famously refused to back off), made 200 in the first innings at Kingston. He added 231 with Mark Waugh (126) for the fifth wicket — a then-Australian Test record. Australia 531; West Indies 265 and 213 in reply. Australia won by an innings and 53 runs and lifted the Frank Worrell Trophy for the first time since 1976. The West Indies' 15-year unbeaten run was over.
Australia bat first; lose openers cheaply
Steve Waugh and Mark Waugh 231 partnership for the fifth wicket
Steve Waugh 200, Mark Waugh 126
Australia 531; West Indies 265 in reply
West Indies 213 in second innings
Australia win by an innings and 53 runs
Frank Worrell Trophy returns to Australia after 19 years
1980
West Indies' last Test series defeat (in New Zealand).
1976
Australia's last Frank Worrell Trophy win before 1995.
April-May 1995
Series 1-1 going into Sabina Park.
May 3, 1995
Australia win by an innings and 53; series and trophy won.
“We knew if we played to our ability we could end it. The team had been preparing for this for years.”
“Steve Waugh's hundred won that series. He just refused to be intimidated.”
Allan Border had retired in 1994 having never beaten the West Indies; Mark Taylor became the first Australian captain since Greg Chappell to do so. The result triggered a transition: Steve Waugh would soon take over the captaincy and lead Australia to the dominance of the late 1990s and 2000s. The West Indies, meanwhile, slid into the longest decline in cricket history.
The end of the most dominant era in cricket history. Test cricket had a new world champion.
The Sabina Park Test is the bookend of cricket's greatest team era. The West Indies have not won a Test series in Australia since. Australia's dominance from 1995 to 2007 began at Kingston. Brian Lara, ever gracious, congratulated Mark Taylor on the field as the trophy was lifted.
Yorkshire v Essex
1932-06-16
On 15-16 June 1932 Herbert Sutcliffe (313) and Percy Holmes (224*) put on 555 for the first wicket against Essex at Leyton, breaking the world first-class record for any wicket and adding a layer of folklore — including a scoreboard that read 554 for several minutes and a hastily reversed declaration — that has clung to the partnership ever since.
Australia v England
1933-02-14
With the fate of the Bodyline series in the balance and England 216 for 6 chasing 340, Eddie Paynter checked himself out of a Brisbane hospital where he was being treated for acute tonsillitis, taxied to the Gabba in pyjamas and a dressing gown, and batted for nearly four hours to score 83. England drew level on first innings, won the Test by six wickets and the series 4-1.
Australia
1934-09-25
Days after the 1934 Oval Test, Bradman fell seriously ill with appendicitis that progressed to peritonitis. With antibiotics not yet available, he was given little chance of survival; his wife Jessie left Adelaide on a sea voyage to England prepared for the worst. He recovered after weeks of intensive nursing in a London nursing home and returned to first-class cricket the following Australian summer.