The Tied Test of 1960: Cricket's First and Most Dramatic Tie
The 1960 Brisbane Test between Australia and the West Indies ended in cricket's first-ever Tied Test — a match of extraordinary drama that transformed Test cricket's appeal and created the Frank Worrell Trophy.
The first Test of Australia's 1960-61 series against the West Indies at the Gabba in Brisbane produced cricket's first Tied Test — one of the most extraordinary finishes in the sport's history. Australia and the West Indies scored exactly the same number of runs (737 each), with the match ending with the scores level as the last wicket fell. The match involved all five days of drama, last-ball tension, a run-out that tied the match, and performances of the highest quality from both sides.
The Final Over
The match went into the final over with Australia needing 6 runs to win with 3 wickets in hand. West Indies fast bowler Wes Hall bowled. The tension was extraordinary. Two wickets fell in the over. The last ball was bowled with Australia needing two runs to win. A run-out off the last ball of the final over left the scores level — Richie Benaud's team fell short by one run, but since the scores were exactly level, the result was a Tie. It is the most dramatic moment in Test cricket history and the first instance of a Tied Test.
Impact on the Game
The Tied Test transformed the perception of Test cricket globally. The series, under captains Richie Benaud and Frank Worrell, was notable for its sporting spirit and attacking play. When the West Indies team left Australia, the people of Melbourne gave them a ticker-tape farewell parade — the first time a sporting team had received such a send-off in Australia. The Frank Worrell Trophy, awarded to the winner of Australia-West Indies Test series, was created in Worrell's honour. The series is credited with reviving interest in Test cricket at a time when its appeal was under pressure.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Tied Test in cricket?
A Tied Test occurs when both teams score exactly the same number of runs in their combined innings — a statistically extraordinary outcome that has happened only twice in Test history: Brisbane 1960 and Madras 1986.
Who were the captains in the 1960 Tied Test?
Australia were captained by Richie Benaud and the West Indies by Frank Worrell. Both captains were celebrated for the attacking, sporting cricket played in the series.
What is the Frank Worrell Trophy?
The Frank Worrell Trophy is awarded to the winner of Test series between Australia and the West Indies. It was named in honour of Frank Worrell — who captained the West Indies in the famous 1960-61 series — after his death in 1967.