Many of the reader's suggestions are in the 1990s, and few prior to 1972, which either indicates that the compiler of the main list missed a lot of recent matches, or that cricket was exceptionally good in the 90s, or that readers have short memories. The compiler believes that the biggest ommissions are likely from first-class cricket, and welcomes the few first class matches proposed here.

Thanks to the readers who took the time to mail us. Many of their suggestions are good candidates for the 100 best, and certainly worth a look! Here in reverse chronological order are the suggestions.

1. 3rd Test: South Africa v England at Durban, 26-30 Dec 1999 If a Test match is a true test of skill, endurance and courage, this match had all three. It is also the last match of the century in which quite a few records were achieved. Batting first, England compiled 366/9 in almost two days, barring rain. At the end of the first day's play, England had made only 135/2 in 85.1 overs, the least runs made in an (almost) complete day's play in South Africa. In reply, South Africa were bundled out for 156 and forced to follow on for the first time in 33 years (including their ban from international cricket). Caddick took a career best 7-46. However South Africa took the match away from England's grasp in their second innings by making 572/7 by the end of the 5th day's play, their highest total against England. Gary Kirsten played a monumental innings of 275 ,equalling the South African Test record highest score before being bowled in the last over of the day. His innings was also the second longest in Test cricket, 878 minutes. Boucher made his record second century as nightwatchman and featured in a South African record 5th wicket partnership of 192. (Suggested by Rehan)
2. 2nd Test: Australia v Pakistan at Hobart, 18-22 Nov 1999 This match far outstripped the Kiwis' more recent comeback. The quality of batting and bowling in this match was triple A+. Wasim, Saqlain, Slater, Waqar's induckers, Warne, Inzamam, Ijaz, Shoaib and last but not least, the chase in the 4th innings and Gilchrist's pyrotechnics combined with Langer's gutsy determination to produce victory. Throw in Joe the Cameraman then you have a truly memorable match. (Suggested by Karl Brettig, Zac Hain and Abdul Hussain)
3. 3rd Match: Pakistan v Sri Lanka at Sharjah, 15 Oct 1999 Pakistan were down and out with SL needing about 26 to win with 7 wickets in hand. Abdul Razzaq takes 5 wickets as match ends in a draw. (Suggested by Farhan Feroz)
4. 9th Super Six Match: Australia v South Africa at Leeds, 13 Jun 1999 One of the matches you seemed to have missed out is Aus V SA in Leeds (world cup 99 #) this is the match which set the stage for semi final. I may be biassed about this match, since I was at the ground, but it was one of the best matches I can remember in a long time. (Suggested by Apurv Patel)
5. World Cup 99: 7th Super Six Match: Pakistan v Zimbabwe at The Oval, 11 Jun 1999 I recommend Pakistan v Zimbabwe in the World Cup 99 because it was a good match where Pakistan kept on taking wicket after wicket, Shahid Afridi played well in the middle order, and Saqlain Mushtaq showed he was world class offspinner (Suggested by Z Shah)
6. 4th One-Day International New Zealand v South Africa McLean Park, Napier 26 March 1999 (Suggested by Duane Pettet, Gideon Davy, Preet Kamal Singh). Duane writes:-

   Another heart-tugging emotional game, since I was there, oooooooh boy what an unbelievable game, only 40 overs per side too. NZ make a fairly OK 191, Kirsten out first ball of the chase and struggle at 19/2, but at 107/2 after 23.1, things are cruisy, not even needing 5 an over to win.

   Then chiefly through Astle, and supported by Vettori and Larsen, NZ claw their way back and up to a dozen, but at least 8-9 incredibly close third umpire decisions are required in the innings - almost all bar 1 (maybe 2) go RSA's way, and most due to poor camera angles, fuzziness, incomplete picture information including one where Klusener should've been run out backing up from a straight shot, deflected on to the stumps by Astle, but given benefit of the doubt.

   He went on to belt RSA to the match, 18 from Nash's final over - 6 runs off the final ball with 4 needed.

   Astle also took what Cronje (and the rest of the RSA team in the dressing room afterwards) described as "the most amazing catch we've ever seen in our cricketing careers" to get rid of Pollock (running a mile around from wide long on, and diving full stretch near the sightscreen in slippery, wet conditions to snatch a stunner just above the ground, sliding through to the loudest, most deafening "hairs on your back standing on end" cheer I have ever heard, and it lasted for nearly half a minute to a minute it seemed)

7. CUODS Match #10: Australia v England at Adelaide, 26 January 1999. England seize defeat from the jaws of victory - suggested by Chris Pope.
8. CUODS Match #8: England v Sri Lanka at Adelaide, 23 January 1999 Eng vs SL in Australia 1998-99.Eng made 303 but SL won a very aggressive controversial match in the last over (Suggested by Jagadeesan Rajagopalan).
9. Asian Test Championship 1st Test: Pakistan v. India at Calcutta, 16-20 Feb 1999 One of the great comebacks. Pakistan, 26/6 in the first half hour, recovered to make 185, mainly due to Moin Khan's stubborn 70. Srinath took 5-46. In reply, India mustered 223, Ramesh contributing 79. Shoaib (4-71) bowled Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid with successive balls. Pakistan, 38 runs behind made 316 in their second innings. Saeed Anwar carried his bat for a magnificent 188 not out in Pakistan's innings. Srinath had superb figures of 8-86 to finish with 13 wickets for the match. India were left with a difficult target of 279. They folded to be all out for 232, Shoaib Akhtar again taking 4 wickets and Tendulkar be ing controversially run out. Pakistan fought back well in an entertaining match marred by crowd trouble towards the end. (Suggested by Rehan Hussain, Karachi)
10. 3rd ODI: Pakistan v Australia at Lahore, 10 Nov 1998 Set 316 for victory Australia reached the target with the loss of only four wickets and in the process set a ODI run chase record. Gilchrist and Ponting each making centuries. (Suggested by David Kempster)
11. 2nd Test: Pakistan v Australia at Peshawar, 15-19 Oct 1998 Who can forget that match! Mark Taylor equalling Bradman's 334 after 2 days of batting in Pakistan. It was an unbelievable performance. (Suggested by James Kennedy)
12. Sharjah Match 6: Australia v India, 22 Apr 1998 India vs Australia, Sharjah 22 April 98. Chasing 284, India need to score 254 to overhaul NZ net runrate to qualify for the final when at 138/4 in the 30th over play is interrupted by a sand-storm. The revised targets are 254 and 237 off 46 overs - to win and ovarhaul NZ net run rate respectively. Sachin Tendulkar launches into an amazing assualt (nothing new for the Aussies they had been facing his wrath all the way since Feb that year), and almost brings India to an impossible win. Of course a couple of days later he plays another match winning innings to win the cup but surely this match was superb considering the situation he was faced in after the interruption. Tendulkar scored 143 and the next best score by an Indian in that match was 35. (Suggested by Rajeev Soneja and Apurv Patel)
13. Ranji Semi-final: Hyderabad v Karnataka at Hyderabad, 9-13 Apr 1998 Amazing performance by Kanwaljit Singh. He sat down on the pitch and wept after Hyderabad lost the match. 14/100 in a losing cause is heartbreaking. (Suggested by Vijay Kumar).
14. Mumbai v Australians at Mumbai (Brabourne), 24-26 February 1998 Bombay destroyed Aus and set up the series win, especially nullifying Warne. Aus being defeated by a touring side was also uncommomn. Srt's first FC 200. Game over in 3 days. (Suggested by SM)
15. Silver Jubilee Independence Cup Final #3: India v Pakistan at Dhaka, 18 Jan 1998 One more of those exciting India-Pak tense and close matches. Pak make a mammoth total of 314 in 48 overs thanks to brilliant centuries by Anwar and Izzi. Tendulkar gave India a brilliant start, Ganguly made a brilliant century and Robin gave more than his 100% for his 83. However it was greenhound Kanitkar who saved the day (actually almost night!) for India by hitting a four when 3 runs were required from the last two balls. (Suggested by Vivek Singh)
16. Match #7: New Zealand v South Africa at Brisbane, 9 Jan 1998 RSA 300, NZ NZ 124/6 in the 31st and looking dead. Cairns, Parore, Nash belt NZ back and end up on 298 - needing 3 off the last ball, Nash is caught skying one to a running Klusener in the leg side deep, had it not been taken, at least a tie would be secured. The ball prior, Nash scooped up a smart shot from Pollock - copious replays finally before the 3rd umpire adjusted 4 not 6 - but there were 2 ropes - it was overlapping in that part of the ground and it hit the back rope. Had it not overlapped, it would've been 6 and tied the scores. 3 runs more, and I believe unquestionably it would've been the greatest comeback win from the dead in ODI history. (suggested by Duane Pettet)
17. 2nd Test: Australia v South Africa at Sydney, 2-5 Jan 1998 South Africa batted themselves out of the match on day 1 (5/197 off 97 overs) and were spun out by S.Warne on day 4. Warne bowled Jacques Kallis with a peach of a delivery to take his 300th Test wicket. Donald's bowling to the Waughs during Australia's innings was also a highlight. (Suggested by Vivek Nayak)
18. Wills Quadrangular Tournament Match 2: Pakistan v South Africa at Lahore, 2 Nov 1997 SA scored 271 in 50 overs. Pakistan lost 3 wickets in first 5 balls for nought and were 7/4 at one stage,but went on to lose only by nine runs. (Suggested by Saad Habib)
19. 2nd TEST: Zimbabwe v New Zealand at Bulawayo, 25-29 Sep 1997 Two of the less celebrated teams of recent times fought out this tremendous match. Remarkably, only one man got past 100, and one man took a 5fer in the match. Good team contributions make up for an exciting match. The match ended with NZ requiring 11 runs to win and with just two wickets in hand. NZ recovered to 403 from being 162/6 in the first innings. Zimbabwe crashed to 227/8 from being 200/4 in their second. Great Match. Went all the way to the wire. (Suggested by Vijay Kumar)
20. 2nd TEST: S.Africa v Australia at Port Elizabeth, 14-17 Mar 1997 This was an amazing match. So many twists and turns in just four days. Mark Taylor sent South Africa into bat, whereupon they crumbled for 209 in the face of a hostile spell from Jason Gillespie (5/54). McMillan and Richardson rescued RSA from 7/95. In reply, the Aussies was destroyed for 108. At stumps on day 2, South Africa were 0/83 in their second innings, an overall lead of 184. The morning of day 3 saw RSA lose all 10 wickets for just 81 to be all out for 168. The South Africans couldn't handle Michael Bevan's left-arm spin. Australia thus required 270 to win. Mark Waugh came to the party with a brilliant hundred, but at 5/258 Australia lost 3 for 7 in 11 balls. Ian Healy hit a six off Hansie Cronje's bowling to win the match for the Aussies, and clinch the series 2-0. (suggested by Bill Koulis and Vivek Nayak)
21. 3rd ODI: Zimbabwe v England at Harare, 3 Jan 1997 Alistair Campbell's big hitting takes Zimbabwe to 249 in their quest to complete a rare ODI series sweep of England. When Eddo Brandes, an erratic performer at best, destroys England's top order with the hat-trick of Knight, Crawley and Hussain, victory seems assured. A tight spell from Paul Strang makes certain, and Eddo becomes a national hero. (Suggested by David Dyte)
22. Titan Match 9: India v Australia at Mohali, 3 Nov 1996.
    On a belter of a track, India made 289 with a brilliant 61 from Sachin and 94 from Azhar. Chasing, Aus were 155/4 with the asking rate crossing 7.5. Then they brilliantly counter-attacked. Last over 1 wicket remaining - 6 runs to win. Sachin takes the ball and a run-out.(Suggested by Jagadeesan Rajagopalan)
23. Titan Match 3: India v Australia at Bangalore, 21 Oct 1996
    - India's Srinath & Kumble scored the 52 runs needed to score an unlikely victory. (Suggested by Jagadeesan Rajagopalan)
24. 2nd ODI: India v Pakistan at Toronto, 17 Sep 1996 The first Sahara cup in Toronto and Pakistan chase 263 successfuly ,getting to the target on penultimate ball. (Suggested by Saad Habib)
25. World Cup: Kenya v Sri Lanka at Kandy, 6 Mar 1996 The Kenya vs. Sri Lanka match in the 1996 World Cup in which Sri Lanka scored 398 runs batting first. This should be on the list because it is the highest score any team ever made in a 50 overs match. (Suggested by Inter853@aol.com)
26. World Cup: Kenya v West Indies at Pune, 29 Feb 1996 The Kenya vs. West Indies match in the 1996 World Cup, in which Kenya made 166, then West Indies batting second with the full 50 overs, was bowled out for 98. How can any one forget that? (Suggested by Inter853@aol.com)
27. 4th TEST: West Indies v Australia at Kingston, 29 Apr-3 May 1995 This match was one of the greatest because, after Australia won this match, it was the first time in 30 years that West Indies lost a Test Series. Australia won the match by an Innings and 53 runs. Richie Richardson made 100 in the first innings, Steve Waugh made 200 and Mark Waugh made 126 in the second innings. Australia won the series 2-1. (Suggested by Inter853@aol.com)
28. 1st Test 1994-95 Pakistan v. Australia at NSK, Karachi Sept 28-Oct 2 This was one of the most exciting matches played on Pakistani soil, and an extremely memorable Test. Some good batting by Bevan and Steve Waugh carried Australia to 337 all out after winning the toss and electing to bat. In reply, Pakistan could only score 256. Australia were cruising at 171/2 before Wasim (5-63) and Waqar (4-69) got them out for 232. David Boon stood firm with 114 not out. That left Pakistan with 315 to win the match, which looked a dim prospect with them on 258/9, Warne taking five of those. But the best was still to come. Inzam am-ul-Haq and last man Mushtaq Ahmed took them to a famous victory with an unbroken 57 run last-wicket partnership. However, Australia were left rueing their missed chance when, with 3 runs required, Inzamam stepped out of his crease to Warne and the ball spun so sharply that 'keeper Healy missed the stumping chance and the ball went to the boundary for four byes. This match was also Mark Taylor's captaincy debut, in which he made a pair. (Suggested by Rehan, Nasir Afaf, Farhan Feroz, and Abdul Hussain)
29. 4th ODI: New Zealand v Pakistan at Auckland, 13 Mar 1994 Waqar Younis took a wicket in the last over to tie the match.taking 6 wickets in the process. (Suggested by Jamal)
30. Hero Cup, 1st SEMI: India v South Africa at Calcutta, 24 Nov 1993 How could you forget the Hero Cup semi final between India and South Africa where South Africa just needed 6 runs to win the match. But Sachin Tendulkar with his magnificent bowling just gave three runs and won the match for India. (Suggested by Achyut Kalyan Kodali and Dineshaj@aol.com)
31. FINAL: Sussex v Warwickshire at Lord's, 4 Sep 1993 Dermot Reeve takes Warwickshire to an incredible victory after they had been set a record breaking total of 322 to win by Sussex. Reeve hit 13 off the first five balls of the last over to set up a dramatic last ball. (Suggested by Mike W)
32. 4th Test Australia vs W.Indies 1992/93 Adelaide Oval. How could you have omitted the closest result in test history? Sure it wasn't high scoring but the quality of the bowling rather than the pitch saw to that. This was one of the most heartbreaking matches I have witnessed (from an Aussie point of view of course!) (Suggested by Karl Brettig)
33. Benson & Hedges WSC Australia v Pakistan at Hobart, 10 Dec 1992 Asif Mujtaba of Pakistan hit a six off the last ball of the match to tie the game. (Suggested by Jamal)
34. TEST: West Indies v South Africa at Bridgetown, 18-23 Apr 1992 South Africa playing its first test after readmission have taken the first inning lead thanks to a fine 173 by debutante Hudson. Another debutante Jimmy Adams takes four wickets with his slow left arm spin to restrict the South African lead to 83 runs. In their second innings, West Indies were in dire straits with 184/7. Adams once again batted with resolve to make an unbeaten 79 with only the tailenders for company. Requiring only 200 to win, the South Africans were comfortably placed at 122/2 at the end of the fourth day with skipper Wessels and Kirsten batting solidly. The test took a dramatic turn on the last day with Ambrose and Walsh ripping apart the South African batting to dismiss them for 148, Ambrose the destroyer-in-chief taking 6 wickets and Walsh the rest. The West Indies win the test, boycotted by the Bajans due to the non inclusion of Cummins in the team, and Richie Richardson the new captain forges a unified team out of the ashes of the old one. (Suggested by Vikram Deshmukh)
35. FINAL: England v Pakistan at Melbourne, 25 Mar 1992 Pakistan were looking to finish with an exceptionally small total, but Inzamam helped score a very quick 48 runs along with assistance from Wasim Akram to lead them to an undefeated 249. (Suggested by Stan Foley)
36. Final: Bombay v Haryana at Wankhede Stadium, Bombay, 3-7 May 1991 Ranji Trophy final. March '91. Bombay vs Haryana. Haryana win by 2 runs as they fight back an incredible resurgence by the Bombay batsmen led by Dilip Vengsarkar as he remains not out on 132. Bombay needed well in excess of 350 to win on the final day. Tendulkar scores 96 and Kambi 45. The Haryana attack consists of Kapil Dev and Chetan Sharma. The last 50 runs come in partnership with no 11, and 24 of them in one over if I remember right. the final wicket is lost as no 11 (Abhey Kuruvilla) and Vengsrakar's runner (L. Rajput) go for a quick single as Vengsarkar is reduced to tears at square leg. (Suggested by Rajeev Soneja)
37. Semi-Final, 1st Leg: Natal v Transvaal at Durban, 13 Mar 1991 I attended a limited over day night game at Kingsmead that led to my love of cricket. It was a game between Natal and Transvaal. Jonty Rhodes was batting and had 7 runs to win off the last ball. Richard Snell then bowled a no ball, but Jonty hit it for 6. The scores were tied, but Transvaal were ahead on wickets. The next ball went for 4 and Natal were victorious. I hope this counts as a tight match!
38. 1st TEST: England v India at Lord's, 26-31 Jul 1990 "bah. They've missed out the 1990 Lord's Test. Goochie's 333, Kapil Dev's four sixes in a row to avoid the follow-on..." (Suggested by Dylan O'Donnell and Terry Smith)
39. 4th ODI: India v New Zealand at Baroda, 17 Dec 1988 This is a memorable match due to sheer fact that is was spectacular batting by Mohammad Azzaruddin that won them the match and was the most memorable innings of his career. (Suggested by Apurv Patel)
40. 3rd TEST: West Indies v Pakistan at Bridgetown, 22-27 Apr 1988 Another match which you seem to have missed is the great 3rd Test of the three Test series between Pakistan and West Indies in 1988 at Bridgetown when Benjamin took on Imran and company and guided West Indies to victory by two wickets. I would say that this was probably the best series of all time with all matches evenly fought. (Suggested by Rahul Agarwal)
41. 5th TEST: India v Pakistan at Bangalore, 13-17 Mar 1987 In that test match Pakistan won by just 16 runs. Pakistan were bowled out for 116 in the first innings. After that it was tremendous bowling by Iqbal Qasim and Tauseef Ahmed (both took nine (9) wickets in the match) that turned the match around in favor of Pakistan. Gavaskar was the only person who stood like a rock on that turning surface. The last test match of a great player he (Gavaskar) was finally out for 96. It was the first series that Pakistan won in India. The tension and atmosphere whenever these two countries play together coupled with the fact that both the teams had wonderful legendary players (in American terms - future hall of famers ) made this test match a memorable one. (Suggested by Saad Z. Siddiqi, Saad Habib and others)
42. Australia v England at Sydney, 22nd January 1987 Alan Lamb's last over heroics took England to a victory and himself to 77* after not hitting a single boundary prior to that final over in a masterful one day display (Suggested by Steve Marsh)
43. 5th TEST: Australia v England, Sydney, 10-15 Jan 1987 This might sound a bit biased toward modern-day Tests in Australia - Ashes ones at that - but another cliff-hanger was the last of the series in 86/87 when Australia scored a consolation win after Peter Sleep bowled John Emburey off the last ball of the match in Sydney. (Suggested by Forbes Klemm)
44. 1st TEST: West Indies v India at Kingston, 23-28 Feb 1983 I'm a little surprised that no one has seen fit to include India vs West Indies at Kingston, 23-28 February, 1983 (a match in which Viv Richards played what he terms his greatest innings). India batted first and slumped to 127-7 before Yashpal Sharma (63) and Balwinder Sandhu (he of bowling-Greenidge-who-had-shouldered-arms-in-the-1983-WC-final fame) took them to 251 all out. The Windies did little better, only getting a 3 run lead in the face of some tight bowling by Kapil Dev and Ravi Shastri who both took 4-fers (Greenidge got a 70). In the Indian second innings, Holding sensationally bowled Gavaskar off the first ball as Sunny shuffled too far across and lost his leg stump. Enough time had been lost to rain that as India headed into the last day still in their second innings at around tea time, it looked like the match would be drawn. Then, suddenly and fatally, Roberts took three wickets in an over as India slumped from 6-168 to 174 all out. The West Indies needed 172 to win in 25 overs at almost seven an over. Greenidge and Haynes got them off to a flyer but things looked tough. Then Richards came in and smashed 61 off 34 balls. The loss of Greenidge, Haynes, Lloyd and Roberts (sent up for a slog) kept things interesting. Logie came in, playing his debut test and hit a six off the first ball he received. He scored 10 in all, consisting of a four and a six. Amarnath bowled the last over of the day, with the Windies needing 6 to win. Marshall took a single off the first ball, and then Dujon hit a six off the second. Phew. What a match. (Suggested by Samir Chopra)
45. 4th TEST: Australia v England at Melbourne, 26-30 Dec 1982 I am surprised to note that you have omitted the great Melbourne test of the 1982-83 Ashes tour when Border and Thomson took Australia to the brink of victory and fell short by 3 runs as Miller took a rebound from Tavare's hand off Botham's bowling and Thompson was thus dismissed. I suppose this match should be right up there with the all time great matches and in fact will certainly be in my top ten simply because it is one of the few matches or in fact the only match where the scores of each of the four innings are so similar. Also the match ebbed and flowed throughout coming to a rather dramatic and justified end. On a lighter note it is probably one of the last memories of England fighting against Australia in a live series. (Suggested by Forbes Klemm and Rahul Agarwal)
46. 1st TEST: Australia v West Indies at Melbourne, 26-30 Dec 1981 Picture this: the time is late 1981, the West Indies are clearly the best team in world cricket, and Australia has had an unimpressive year, what with being mown down by a certain overweight lad from Somerset and all. However one of our shining lights has been Dennis Keith Lillee, who has, thus far, taken 75 wickets in 12 matches, and is also poised to break Lance Gibbs's decade-old world record of 309 Test wickets -- Lillee has 306 as of Christmas Day.

    The Boxing Day Test at the MCG begins with Michael Holding running amok -- he took 5/45 for the day, and was chiefly responsible for the Aussies being 3/8, then 4/26 and eventually all out for 198. However there was also a 43 run stand for the last wicket -- not only was it the second highest of the innings, but certified bunny Terry Alderman held out for long enough to allow Kim Hughes to progress from 70-odd to an heroic 100 not out.

    All had taken only 68.1 overs, meaning that the Windies had to see out a nasty little half hour session before stumps. They failed to do so, crumbling to 4/10. At 2/5 Lloyd sent out Colin Croft (now of CricInfo fame) as nightwatchman, but Lillee quickly dismissed him, leaving the then-greatest-batsmen-in-the-world Viv Richards to bat out a few overs as the shadows got longer and longer. It seemed he'd succeeded, as he was left to face the last ball of the day from Lillee. With the crowd of fifty thousand chanting his name, he steamed in, got an inside edge, and bowled Richards. I can still remember the fierce, animalistic look in Lillee's eyes, and the slumped shoulders of the West Indian in one of my favourite ever sports photographs. The crowd didn't move for about an hour, staying to chant, ``Lil-lee, Lil-lee, Lil-lee'' and soak in the amazing events. Not only had their hero got figures of 3/5 (I think.), but he'd equalled Gibbs's world record.

    The next day saw Larry Gomes (with Lloyd and then Dujon) take the score to 5/134, when Lillee struck again. An outside edge to Greg Chappell at second slip, and suddenly there was the record. Marsh lifted his mate high in the air, and the game stopped for some time. When it restarted, Lillee got three more wickets (to go to 7/83, his best ever Test figures) and the West Indies made it to 201, a somewhat unlikely lead of three runs.

    When Australia batted again, a good start of 3/184 (courtesy of Laird's 64, Wood's 46 and Border's 66) was torn apart by that man -- Michael Holding -- again. This time he took 6/62 (11/107 for the match) and Australia lost its last 7 wickets for only 38 runs. Nonetheless, they'd still set the West Indies 220 for victory, and the pitch was crumbling (as Melbourne pitches do).

    It was only the fourth day, but it soon became apparent that 220 was a huge target. Wickets fell steadily, with no partnership more than 42, and the West Indies were 9/161 as Lillee (with only two wickets for the innings) started his 28th over. With the first ball he had Joel Garner LBW, and Australia had won by 58 runs. Hughes got the man of the match award for his century, but Lillee had 10/127, and a new world record, *and* we'd beaten the West Indies where few expected us to.

    I'm sure I'm biased by the fact that I was only seven years old at the time, and Dennis Lillee was (and maybe still is) my hero, but it seemed amazing then, and still does now. How could one even think of omitting it from the 100 great matches of the century? :) (suggested by Daniel Mortlock)

47. 3rd TEST: Pakistan v India at Karachi, 14-19 Nov 1978 India vs Pakistan at Karachi, November 1978. India start slowly, only getting to 195-4 on the first day with Gavaskar not out on 96. They finish at 344, Gavaskar making 111. Pakistan are in trouble at 155-5 in reply, but recover to 481/9 thanks to a youngster by the name of Javed Miandad who gets a 100. India reply with 300 all out, late on the fifth day, as Gavaskar gets his second century of the match (137; Gavaskar later claims that he was out in both innings before scoring but refused to walk since it was Pakistan that he was playing in and against). Pakistan need 164 to win in double quick time. Majid and Asif open but the asking rate climbs to 7/over as Miandad comes in at one-down. The running between the wickets that follows defies description as they keep pace with the run rate. Asif is out and Imran comes in to have a slog. Strangely, Bedi puts himself on and is blasted for 17 in one over (an act which costs him his captaincy-besides the series loss of course) and Pakistan win yet another thriller. (Suggested by Samir Chopra)
48. 2nd TEST: Pakistan v India at Lahore, 27 Oct-1 Nov 1978 Here's another one. India vs Pakistan at Lahore. October 1978. Pakistan win the toss, send India in on a Lahore greentop. India are dismissed for 199 with Gavaskar falling to the little known Saleem Altaf and Mohinder Amarnath doing his hit-wicket-on-a-bouncer trick. India strike back with the wicket of Mudassar Nazar in the closing moments of play bringing in Wasim Bari as nightwatchman. The next day, Bari carries on to 85 and Zaheer Abbas continues his love affair with Indian bowlers as he puts together his masterly 235*. Pakistan declare around lunch at 539-6. India finish the day at 92-0 with Gavaskar and Chauhan looking good. On the fourth day, both openers are controversially given out in the nineties, but India continue to battle at finish the day at 307-3. On the last day, India finally slumps from 406-4 to 465 all out. Pakistan, though, need to score quickly to win and they do, making 126 at six an over to squeeze out a win in the dying moments of the match. (Suggested by Samir Chopra)
49. World Cup 1975: Pakistan v West Indies at Birmingham, 11 Jun 1975 West Indies vs Pakistan: World Cup 1975. Pakistan were highly regarded favourites, but had lost their first match against Australia despite a run a ball 65 from opener Majid Khan against Lillee and Thomson. Now Majid again takes it to Andy Roberts and Co with a superb 60, and the West Indies are left to chase 266 in their allotted 60 overs. They are down to 166 for 8, and when Pakistan get the 9th wicket, the West Indies still need 64 of 14 overs with Andy Roberts and Derek Murray at the crease. West Indies get the runs with three balls to spare amongst unequalled excitement, and this win ultimately squeezes them through to the semi-finals. We all talk about the super West Indian sides of the 70's and 80's but, as with Steve Waugh's current Australian team and that marvellous last over from Fleming to Kluesner in this year's World Cup semi-final, there was a critical point without which West Indies would have been out of the 1975 World Cup. (Suggested by Nasir Afaf)
50. 5th TEST: England v West Indies at The Oval, 12-17 Aug 1976 Richards 291, Amiss 200, Holding 14 wkts - most competitive game of series. (Suggested by Terry Smith)
51. 3rd TEST: India v West Indies at Calcutta, 27 Dec 1974-1 Jan 1975 A close game which swung the momentum of the series. West Indies appeared to be headed toward a third successive win (and the series) when Roberts bowled India out for 233. A surprising burst from unlikely hero Madan Lal saw the West Indies lose some early wickets. A couple of fortuitous run outs and some good bowling by the Indian spinners restricted the West Indies to 240. The Indian second innings was held together by a brilliant 139 from Viswanath, leaving the West Indies 310 to win. At a critical juncture early on the 5th day, Lloyd was bowled by Chandrasekhar, and the Indian spinners wrapped up the rest. (Suggested by Uday Rajan)
52. 1st TEST: Australia v England at Brisbane, 29 Nov-4 Dec 1974 Thomson & Lillee burst on scene, T Greig 110 - really created excitement. (Suggested by Terry Smith)
53. 5th TEST: West Indies v England at Port-of-Spain, 30 Mar-5 Apr 1974 A rare win for England in the West Indies as Greig took a lot of wickets bowling off cutters. (Suggested by Terry Smith)
54. Sussex v Surrey at Eastbourne, 12-15 Aug 1972: World records galore as a rain affected county championship with 3 declarations explodes in the final three overs. Sussex seem certain to win at 187/1 needing just 205, but 8 wickets fall in two overs bowled by Pat Pocock, leaving the match drawn. (suggested by Jeff Green)
55. Surrey v Australians, 1956 Another would be Laker's "other match" in the Surrey Australians game of 1956 the extent of the visitors weakness against finger spin was amply demonstrated before Laker realy rubbed it in at Old Trafford, He got all 10 in the first innings and Lock 7 in the second to give Surrey the first win against the Australians by a county for a very long time. (Suggested by Jeff Green)
56. Surrey v Worcestershire, County Championship, 1954 My own "greatest ever game" would be Surrey Worcs in 1954, with thundery rain all over the country no play looked likely at all, when it started early afternoon on the first day Worcs were dismissed for (without checking the exact numbers) 24 by Bedser and Lock. Surrey then batted and on a truly awful rain affected wicket looked to be cruising at 92/3 when Surridge (the Surrey captain) appeared on the balcony to declare! The bowling is even better second time around and Worcs are beaten by an innings and 48 runs. 10 minutes later the heavens opened and the Oval was under water. Surrey were the only team to get a win in the round of matches, although others got more play, and won the championship by 2 fewer points than they got for this game. (Suggested by Jeff Green)