J.R. Thomson c Miller b Botham 21

Unlike the previous posts in the series so far, this one reports on something I didn't actually see. But I lived it. My, how I did. Along with 20,000 spectators at the MCG. In Manchester it's the night of 29-30 December 1982 - I don't now remember what time, but I was already in bed - and I'm listening to cricket on the other side of the world. Obviously. Thommo is keeping Allan Border company in a stand for the 10th wicket eventually worth 70 runs, as Australia inch towards their target of 292. Unbearable tension at the MCG and in Mayville Drive. Then this:

By the time Botham began the eighteenth over of the morning Australia were within 4 runs of victory. His first ball was short of a length and wide of the off-stump. Thomson, sparring at it, edged a none-too-difficult catch to Tavaré, the second of Botham's two slips. Tavaré managed only to parry it, the ball bouncing away behind him but within reach of Miller, fielding at first slip, deeper than Tavaré. With a couple of quick strides Miller reached the catch and completed it, the ball still some eighteen inches off the ground. - Wisden 1984

Whatever its shortcomings in other departments the 1982-83 Test series will have as legacy the closest Test match ever played between England and Australia. England 284 and 294, Australia 287 and 288; what could be closer than that? It should, in fact, have been a lot less close, for Australia, in their second innings, were 218 for 9 when Thomson joined Border. Together these two added 70, Willis making little attempt to get the out-of-form Border out. In due course Border, with no one up for the catch and offered singles whenever he fancied, made the most of his open net practice. Growing visibly in confidence, and with Thomson generally secure at the other end, Border took Australia to within a boundary of a remarkable victory. - Patrick Eagar with a commentary by Alan Ross, Summer of Speed: The Fight for the Ashes in Australia 1982/3

It was wider than I wanted, Jeff sensed it was there to hit, but his decision seemed to fail him and a shot which had started out as a slash fell away into an unconvincing stab. It seemed that at the last second his nerve wavered. The ball took the outside edge and the crowd watched in mesmerized horror as it flew towards Tavaré at second slip. Some of the other players told me later that they had turned their heads away when they saw the ball jump out of Chris's hands and so missed Geoff Miller's dash from first slip to clasp the chance in both hands. - Ian Botham, Botham Down Under

With Border on strike, I summoned reserves of energy and bowled my best and tightest over of the day. Border just could not get a single, so Thomson had to face the start of a new over from Ian. The end came with the first delivery, but not without further cause for coronaries. Thomson edged the ball to second slip and Tavaré, normally a safe catcher, fumbled it. History shows, however, that he did manage to knock the ball upwards, over his head and Geoff Miller ran behind him from first slip to grab the ball. - Bob Willis, The Captain's diary: England in Australia and New Zealand 1982-83

In the end, Australia's splendid last wicket pair were only one firm stroke from victory as the field closed in to cut off the single when Thomson edged the 103rd ball of another tension-packed morning to Tavaré at second slip. Into and out of the doubtless clammy palms of the Kent captain it went, but fortunately for him - and his peace of mind for the rest of his days - Miller snatched the ball out of the air and England were home after 85 minutes of cricket so compelling that a crowd of almost 20,000, admitted free, were often reduced to silence. - The Daily Telegraph [Michael Carey], The Ashes: Chappell's Revenge

At 12.24 pm Botham began the 18th over of the morning session, the 12th with the new ball, and his 25th. The first delivery was wide of the off stump. Jeff Thomson, half slashing, half poking[,] tried to ease the ball behind point. It took the outside edge of his bat and flew at an eminently catchable height to second slip where Chris Tavaré[,] as if in slow motion, knocked it up with both hands, and behind him. It was an easy catch seemingly gone begging until the bearded Geoff Miller at first slip saw the ball rise invitingly in the air, dashed behind Tavaré and grabbed it in both hands. - Chris Harte, The Fight for the Ashes 1982-83

One writer wrote that his maiden aunt in Elwood, wherever that is, would have gobbled it. It hit Tavaré on the ball of the right thumb as the hand came up, which had the priceless virtue from England's point of view of giving the ball air, but was no consolation to Tavaré who had no chance of a second attempt. Help, precious and memorable, was on the way. - Robin Marlar, Decision Against England

The closest Test match ever played between England and Australia? Until this one.

[For links to the other posts in this series, see here.]