In 2002, New Zealand and England played the first Test match of the series in Christchurch from 13–16 March.
Two great innings but opposite results.
March 16 is a historic day in Test cricket. On this day, two leading batsmen from different countries were successful in scoring double centuries in Test cricket. The only difference was that while one was awarded the player of the match despite hitting the slowest double century, the other saw his country lose by 98 runs.
We are talking about Navjot Sidhu and Nathan Astle. Navjot scored a brilliant 201 against West Indies’ most brutal bowling attack in the second Test at Port of Spain in 1997. With some decent batting from Shivnarine Chanderpaul (42) and Roland Holder (91), West Indies scored 296 runs in the first innings.
VVS Laxman came to bat first but was dismissed for zero by Curtly Ambrose. In this tense moment, Navjot handled the pressure brilliantly and managed to score 201 runs with a total of 19 fours and one six. Navjot remained on the field for 673 minutes and faced 491 balls. After this, Rahul Dravid (57) and Sachin Tendulkar (88) batted equally well. The match ended in a draw but Navjot was praised for standing tall against the West Indies bowling attack. Navjot was also given the Player of the Match award.
In 2002, New Zealand and England played the first Test match of the series in Christchurch from 13–16 March. England had set a target of 550 runs against the Kiwi team. Mark Richardson (76) and Stephen Fleming (48) managed to put up some decent scores but that was not enough for New Zealand in hopes of a win. At this time, Nathan came on the field at number 5 and played a brilliant innings of 222 runs in just 168 balls with the help of 28 fours and 11 sixes. His other teammates failed to generate a similar response and New Zealand could manage only 451 runs. Englishman Graham Thorpe, who scored an unbeaten 200, was adjudged the player of the match.
Get all the latest updates cricket news, cricket pictures, cricket videos, IPL Auction 2022 And cricket score Here