Jack Finglton, the Australian batsman of the 1930s and one of the most entertaining writers on the game, devoted a book to it and entitled it “The Greatest Test of All”.
It is 50 years ago since the Australian left-arm swinger Alan Davidson delivered the first ball of the first Test to West Indies opener Conrad Hunte at the old ‘Gabba ground in Brisbane.
Six days later, in the late afternoon of December 14, 1960 – or, as it was the Caribbean, the wee hours of the morning as we followed the unfolding events through the crakling ABC commentary on our Rediffusion sets – Joe Solomon’s direct hit of the stumps from square-leg secured the fourth run out of Australia’s second innings and completed the first tie in the history of Test cricket.
Only one ball remained of the final,
