The Two Tied Tests in Cricket History
Only two Tests in cricket history have ended in a tie — the 1960 Brisbane Test between Australia and West Indies, and the 1986 Chennai Test between India and Australia. Both remain remarkable sporting events.
In over 2,700 completed Test matches in cricket history, only two have ended in a tie — the exact same number of runs scored by both teams across all four innings. A tie differs from a draw (the more common result): in a tie, the match finishes with both teams' innings completed and the scores exactly equal. The rarity of a tied Test makes each result extraordinary.
The First Tied Test: Brisbane 1960
Australia vs West Indies, Brisbane, December 1960. The match began in controversy and ended in the most dramatic possible way. Australia, chasing 233, reached 232/9 with three balls remaining. Wally Grout ran a bye. Joe Solomon threw in from square leg to run out Ian Meckiff attempting the winning single — the last ball of the over. Australia were all out for 232 — tied. The Brisbane crowd erupted in a noise not heard at a cricket ground before.
Joe Solomon's Throw — The Moment of the First Tied Test
With two balls remaining and Australia needing one run to win, Grout scampered a bye. Meckiff ran for the tie-breaking run — a third run that would win the match. Solomon threw the stumps down from 20 yards at square leg. Direct hit. Meckiff was run out by inches. The match was tied. The series was forever remembered as Frank Worrell's series — the first time the Worrell Trophy was contested — a series that revived cricket's drama after years of dull tactical play.
The Second Tied Test: Chennai 1986
India vs Australia, Madras (now Chennai), September 1986. Chasing 347 to win, Australia reached 347 when the last wicket fell. Dean Jones had batted over seven hours in the Chennai heat for 210, reportedly vomiting from dehydration on the pitch but refusing to leave. Greg Matthews had taken 10 wickets in the match. Maninder Singh was caught at short leg from the last ball — the scores tied at 347. Australia could not win; India could not win. A tie after five days of extraordinary cricket.
Dean Jones and the Dehydration Story
Jones's 210 in the Chennai tied Test has become one of cricket's legendary stories. He scored in temperatures above 40°C and vomited several times during his innings. His captain Allan Border reportedly told him to 'get a yellow taxi' and go home if he couldn't continue — spurring Jones to bat harder. Jones later described it as the toughest innings of his career. He lost 6 kg of bodyweight during the knock.
Difference Between a Tie and a Draw
- A tie: match completed, all innings finished, both sides scored exactly equal runs — has occurred twice
- A draw: match incomplete when time expires, or both sides have not completed their innings — occurs in roughly 28% of all Tests
- A draw is not a failure of cricket — it often reflects sustained defensive batting under extreme pressure
- A tie is so rare that less than 0.1% of Tests in history have produced one
Frequently asked questions
How many tied Tests have there been in cricket history?
Only two: the 1960 Brisbane Test (Australia vs West Indies) and the 1986 Chennai Test (India vs Australia). Both are exceptional events in a sport with over 2,700 completed Tests.
What is the difference between a tie and a draw in cricket?
A tie occurs when all innings are completed and both sides have scored exactly equal runs. A draw occurs when time expires before a result is reached. Ties are extremely rare; draws are common, occurring in about 28% of all Tests.
Who batted 210 in the 1986 Tied Test?
Dean Jones scored 210 for Australia in the Chennai Tied Test in 1986, batting for over seven hours in extreme heat and humidity. It is one of the most physically demanding innings in Test history.