Nine hundred from 1988
A look at every 100th Test down the years: No. 1100 to No. 1900 includes Inzamam's triple-century, Nasser's farewell, and a Cape Town Test played in May
Andrew McGlashan
27-Jun-2011
Omar Henry was the first non-white cricketer to play for South Africa, in Test No. 1200 • Getty Images
No. 1100: England v West Indies, 1988, Old Trafford
By the end of the 1980s, England-West Indies battles were still as one-sided as they had been for the whole decade. Draws were taken as markers of huge success by England. This Test, though, was one of the ritual hammerings. The hosts also went through four captains in the series: this match was John Emburey's second in charge. The highest score by an England batsman was David Gower's 34 in a second innings of 93 all out. Malcolm Marshall took 7 for 22; he was well supported by a young Curtly Ambrose. "The 6ft 7in, 24-year-old Leeward Islander, although unknown to most English followers, was not without local knowledge, having taken more than 100 wickets the previous year in the Central Lancashire League," Wisden said. England would get to see a lot more of Ambrose over the following decade, and leave with many painful memories.
By the end of the 1980s, England-West Indies battles were still as one-sided as they had been for the whole decade. Draws were taken as markers of huge success by England. This Test, though, was one of the ritual hammerings. The hosts also went through four captains in the series: this match was John Emburey's second in charge. The highest score by an England batsman was David Gower's 34 in a second innings of 93 all out. Malcolm Marshall took 7 for 22; he was well supported by a young Curtly Ambrose. "The 6ft 7in, 24-year-old Leeward Islander, although unknown to most English followers, was not without local knowledge, having taken more than 100 wickets the previous year in the Central Lancashire League," Wisden said. England would get to see a lot more of Ambrose over the following decade, and leave with many painful memories.
No. 1200: South Africa v India, 1992-93, Durban
This was one of the most significant Tests in the game's long history: South Africa's first home match in 23 years, after they were readmitted into the international fold. Rain over the final three days meant a contest never really developed, but it was about more than the game. Omar Henry became the first non-white to play for South Africa, and Kepler Wessels became the first player to make Test hundreds for two countries. Jimmy Cook, one of the finest batsmen of the apartheid era, fell first ball of the Test on his debut. The match also included a huge technological milestone for the sport, with the TV umpire introduced for line decisions. Sachin Tendulkar, already established as one of the game's biggest names, was the first batsman dismissed by TV evidence. "After a slight pause, Cyril Mitchley, the square-leg umpire, signalled to Karl Liebenberg, the umpire in the pavilion, by shaping a TV screen with his fingers," was how Wisden reported the moment. "Thirty seconds later Liebenberg lit the green light to signify that Tendulkar was out."
This was one of the most significant Tests in the game's long history: South Africa's first home match in 23 years, after they were readmitted into the international fold. Rain over the final three days meant a contest never really developed, but it was about more than the game. Omar Henry became the first non-white to play for South Africa, and Kepler Wessels became the first player to make Test hundreds for two countries. Jimmy Cook, one of the finest batsmen of the apartheid era, fell first ball of the Test on his debut. The match also included a huge technological milestone for the sport, with the TV umpire introduced for line decisions. Sachin Tendulkar, already established as one of the game's biggest names, was the first batsman dismissed by TV evidence. "After a slight pause, Cyril Mitchley, the square-leg umpire, signalled to Karl Liebenberg, the umpire in the pavilion, by shaping a TV screen with his fingers," was how Wisden reported the moment. "Thirty seconds later Liebenberg lit the green light to signify that Tendulkar was out."
No. 1300: England v West Indies, 1995, Edgbaston
The series was level at 1-1 following England's famous victory at Lord's, and it was believed instructions had been sent out to Warwickshire to prepare a pitch that would help both seamers and spinners. What they got was 22 yards bare at either end but covered in lush, green grass where the tall West Indian quicks liked to pitch the ball. The first delivery of the game, from Curtly Ambrose, ballooned over Mike Atherton for four byes. Atherton didn't survive the first over, and England crumbled for 147. Against bowlers of lesser pace, West Indies built a strong lead. England's second innings was even worse than their first; the dressing room resembled a casualty department - Alec Stewart, Jason Gallian and Richard Illingworth suffered broken fingers. Robin Smith's twin 40s were two of his gutsiest innings, but West Indies won by an innings and 64 runs.
The series was level at 1-1 following England's famous victory at Lord's, and it was believed instructions had been sent out to Warwickshire to prepare a pitch that would help both seamers and spinners. What they got was 22 yards bare at either end but covered in lush, green grass where the tall West Indian quicks liked to pitch the ball. The first delivery of the game, from Curtly Ambrose, ballooned over Mike Atherton for four byes. Atherton didn't survive the first over, and England crumbled for 147. Against bowlers of lesser pace, West Indies built a strong lead. England's second innings was even worse than their first; the dressing room resembled a casualty department - Alec Stewart, Jason Gallian and Richard Illingworth suffered broken fingers. Robin Smith's twin 40s were two of his gutsiest innings, but West Indies won by an innings and 64 runs.
No. 1400: South Africa v Pakistan, 1997-98, Johannesburg
One of the many developments in Test cricket has been the rise of lower-order batting, and this Test was a prime example. Both sides were bailed out of trouble before rain wiped out much of the final two days. South Africa were 166 for 8 when Mark Boucher, in his second Test, and Pat Symcox joined to add 195 for the ninth wicket - a record partnership that stands to this day; Symcox reached his only Test hundred. In reply, Pakistan also faced problems and slipped to 112 for 5 before the recovered thanks to Azhar Mahmood, who scored 136. It was his second hundred in four Tests against South Africa and he would add another in the next game, in Durban. However, after that he didn't pass 41 for the rest of his Test career. With two innings completed by the end of the third day, the match was set up for an interesting finish, but Highveld rain blew in to end those hopes.
One of the many developments in Test cricket has been the rise of lower-order batting, and this Test was a prime example. Both sides were bailed out of trouble before rain wiped out much of the final two days. South Africa were 166 for 8 when Mark Boucher, in his second Test, and Pat Symcox joined to add 195 for the ninth wicket - a record partnership that stands to this day; Symcox reached his only Test hundred. In reply, Pakistan also faced problems and slipped to 112 for 5 before the recovered thanks to Azhar Mahmood, who scored 136. It was his second hundred in four Tests against South Africa and he would add another in the next game, in Durban. However, after that he didn't pass 41 for the rest of his Test career. With two innings completed by the end of the third day, the match was set up for an interesting finish, but Highveld rain blew in to end those hopes.
No. 1500: England v West Indies, 2000, Edgbaston
By the turn of the millennium West Indies' aura was well and truly diminishing, but they began this series with a convincing victory, before the balance of power started to shift significantly towards England. It was still the early days of the Nasser Hussain-Duncan Fletcher partnership and this defeat suggested much work remained to be done. It was that familiar foe Courtney Walsh who did a lot of damage, with eight wickets in the match, but Curtly Ambrose bowled far better than the one scalp he took suggested. They were well supported by Franklyn Rose and Reon King, and Jimmy Adams' painstaking 98 extended West Indies' lead. However, this was to be their last victory against England until Jamaica in 2009. It took 16 years for the next 500 Tests, after the first thousand, compared to 24 for the previous 500. The rate would only increase.
By the turn of the millennium West Indies' aura was well and truly diminishing, but they began this series with a convincing victory, before the balance of power started to shift significantly towards England. It was still the early days of the Nasser Hussain-Duncan Fletcher partnership and this defeat suggested much work remained to be done. It was that familiar foe Courtney Walsh who did a lot of damage, with eight wickets in the match, but Curtly Ambrose bowled far better than the one scalp he took suggested. They were well supported by Franklyn Rose and Reon King, and Jimmy Adams' painstaking 98 extended West Indies' lead. However, this was to be their last victory against England until Jamaica in 2009. It took 16 years for the next 500 Tests, after the first thousand, compared to 24 for the previous 500. The rate would only increase.
No. 1600: Pakistan v New Zealand, 2002, Lahore
A huge win for Pakistan, by an innings and324 runs, and it remains New Zealand's heaviest defeat in Test cricket. The result was set up by Inzamam-ul-Haq's career-best 329, which led Pakistan to a huge 643, before the visitors were simply blown away. Shoaib Akhtar claimed 6 for 11 - five bowled and one lbw - as New Zealand managed just 73. "Akhtar was always fast, but it is this new-found accuracy which makes him such a dangerous customer, the one who well and truly inspires chill in the hearts of batsmen," said a match report. Second time around was a little better for New Zealand - Shoaib couldn't bowl due to a swollen ankle. Though there was never any hope they would survive, Danish Kaneria had to work hard to collect 5 for 110. That, though, was as far as the series would go. Hours before the second Test was due to start in Karachi, a car bomb exploded in front of the New Zealand team hotel killing 14 people. The players only narrowly escaped, and were soon on a plane home.
A huge win for Pakistan, by an innings and324 runs, and it remains New Zealand's heaviest defeat in Test cricket. The result was set up by Inzamam-ul-Haq's career-best 329, which led Pakistan to a huge 643, before the visitors were simply blown away. Shoaib Akhtar claimed 6 for 11 - five bowled and one lbw - as New Zealand managed just 73. "Akhtar was always fast, but it is this new-found accuracy which makes him such a dangerous customer, the one who well and truly inspires chill in the hearts of batsmen," said a match report. Second time around was a little better for New Zealand - Shoaib couldn't bowl due to a swollen ankle. Though there was never any hope they would survive, Danish Kaneria had to work hard to collect 5 for 110. That, though, was as far as the series would go. Hours before the second Test was due to start in Karachi, a car bomb exploded in front of the New Zealand team hotel killing 14 people. The players only narrowly escaped, and were soon on a plane home.
No. 1700: England v New Zealand, 2004, Lord's
This was the beginning of England's "magnificent seven" summer, where they won every Test against New Zealand and West Indies. They had to work hard to earn the first of those victories, which wasn't sealed until the final afternoon, when Nasser Hussain signed off his Test career with an unbeaten 103, hitting the winning runs and then retiring. As one career ended in fine style, another started: Andrew Strauss marked his Test debut with a first-innings hundred. He was on the way to a match double before Hussain ran him out for 83. However, New Zealand played their part in the match. Mark Richardson produced one of his finest performances, with scores of 93 and 101, while Chris Cairns lit up Lord's with 82 off 47 balls on the second morning. But England's bowlers chipped away, led by Steve Harmison, fresh from his heroics in the West Indies, who took eight wickets for the match.
This was the beginning of England's "magnificent seven" summer, where they won every Test against New Zealand and West Indies. They had to work hard to earn the first of those victories, which wasn't sealed until the final afternoon, when Nasser Hussain signed off his Test career with an unbeaten 103, hitting the winning runs and then retiring. As one career ended in fine style, another started: Andrew Strauss marked his Test debut with a first-innings hundred. He was on the way to a match double before Hussain ran him out for 83. However, New Zealand played their part in the match. Mark Richardson produced one of his finest performances, with scores of 93 and 101, while Chris Cairns lit up Lord's with 82 off 47 balls on the second morning. But England's bowlers chipped away, led by Steve Harmison, fresh from his heroics in the West Indies, who took eight wickets for the match.
No. 1800: South Africa v New Zealand, 2005-06, Cape Town
A back-breaking Test for the bowlers, which brought 1226 runs for 21 wickets. Yet for the first day it was very much an even contest, and New Zealand were 279 for 7 when Stephen Fleming was joined by James Franklin. Fleming was already past his hundred and over the next 71 overs the two would add what was at the time the second-highest eighth-wicket stand, worth 256. Fleming finished with 262, and Franklin a career-best 122. The runs continued to flow when it was South Africa's turn. Hashim Amla registered his maiden Test hundred and Ashwell Prince also reached three figures. Daniel Vettori clocked up a marathon 63 overs, and by the time South Africa were finally bowled out, interest had long since dried up.
A back-breaking Test for the bowlers, which brought 1226 runs for 21 wickets. Yet for the first day it was very much an even contest, and New Zealand were 279 for 7 when Stephen Fleming was joined by James Franklin. Fleming was already past his hundred and over the next 71 overs the two would add what was at the time the second-highest eighth-wicket stand, worth 256. Fleming finished with 262, and Franklin a career-best 122. The runs continued to flow when it was South Africa's turn. Hashim Amla registered his maiden Test hundred and Ashwell Prince also reached three figures. Daniel Vettori clocked up a marathon 63 overs, and by the time South Africa were finally bowled out, interest had long since dried up.
No. 1900: New Zealand v West Indies, 2008-09, Napier
There were enough individual performances of note to keep this match alive until the final afternoon, when it finally petered out into a draw. The headline act came from Chris Gayle, who made 197 in West Indies' second innings when they were flirting with trouble, and although he struck seven sixes, it was also an innings of rare restraint, taking 396 balls. Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Tim McIntosh traded first-innings hundreds, but the bowlers also made a mark. Iain O'Brien took a career-best 6 for 75, as did Fidel Edwards with 7 for 87. The series was drawn 0-0.
There were enough individual performances of note to keep this match alive until the final afternoon, when it finally petered out into a draw. The headline act came from Chris Gayle, who made 197 in West Indies' second innings when they were flirting with trouble, and although he struck seven sixes, it was also an innings of rare restraint, taking 396 balls. Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Tim McIntosh traded first-innings hundreds, but the bowlers also made a mark. Iain O'Brien took a career-best 6 for 75, as did Fidel Edwards with 7 for 87. The series was drawn 0-0.
Andrew McGlashan is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo