by The Professor » Sat Feb 04, 2017 11:06 am
On this day in 1936 Thomas Leather and Ron Oxenham delivered the final twist to lead the Australia XI to shock victory over the Madras Presidency.
Needing 262 to win, the Australian XI soon lost Frank Tarrant and Ron Morrisby for seven and two respectively. Wickets continued to fall regularly until the partnership of Stork Hendry and Charles Macartney who put on 76 between them. Both fell soon after each other which led to a mini collapse when Australia went from 152-5 to 171-8.
Due to injury Oxenham was dropped down 4 places and had to come out with a runner in the form of last man Thomas Leather. When Frederick Mair was the ninth man out for Australia he simply switched places with Leather and became Oxenham's runner. At this point Australia still needed 76 to win.
Perhaps due to a sense of overconfidence, Madras Presidency captain, Con Johnstone persevered with his slow bowler Ram Singh. Leather took this bowler on and built up confidence and runs. The Madras Presidency dropped chances off both Leather and Oxenham and soon the total seemed dubiously near. Soon enough Australia were at 256-9 with five needed to win. Oxenham hit the captain for a four to level the scores and with the single off the next ball Australia won the match.
The last wicket partnership between Oxenham and Leather was worth 76 and is still the highest winning last wicket stand.
"It has been said of the unseen army of the dead, on their everlasting march, that when they are passing a rural cricket ground the Englishman falls out of the ranks for a moment to look over the gate and smile."