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On this day, May 13, 2003, the West Indies scripted one of the greatest victories in Test cricket history by pulling off the then-highest successful run chase in the longest format of the game. Facing Australia cricket team in the fourth Test at St John’s during Australia’s tour of the Caribbean, the hosts chased down a daunting target of 418 runs to secure a memorable three-wicket victory.
The Test began with Australia batting first after winning the toss. However, the visitors struggled against the fiery pace of young fast bowler Jermaine Lawson, who produced one of the finest spells of his career. Lawson ripped through the Australian batting lineup and claimed sensational figures of 7/78. Opener Justin Langer top-scored with 42 runs off 74 deliveries, striking six boundaries. Australia were eventually bowled out for 240 runs. Veteran pacer Mervyn Dillon also supported Lawson brilliantly and picked up two wickets.
In reply, West Indies matched Australia’s total exactly by scoring 240 in their first innings. Legendary batter Brian Lara led the resistance with a classy knock of 68 runs from 94 balls, including 12 boundaries and a six. Australia’s bowling attack shared the wickets evenly, with Andy Bichel and Brett Lee taking three each, while Glenn McGrath chipped in with two.
Australia responded strongly in their second innings and took firm control of the match. Langer played a superb innings of 111 runs from 161 deliveries, smashing 17 fours and one six. His opening partner Matthew Hayden was even more dominant, hammering 177 runs from 260 balls with the help of 22 boundaries and three sixes. Australia piled up 417 runs and set West Indies a massive target of 418 to win.
For the hosts, Dillon once again impressed with the ball and picked up 4/112, while Omari Banks and Vasbert Drakes claimed two wickets apiece.
Chasing 418 in the fourth innings against a world-class Australian bowling attack looked nearly impossible at the time. However, the West Indies batters produced a remarkable fightback. Lara contributed an important 60 runs from 119 deliveries before departing, but the backbone of the chase came from Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
Sarwan played a magnificent innings of 105 runs from 139 balls, striking 17 fours, while Chanderpaul remained calm under pressure and scored 104 runs off 154 deliveries, including 17 boundaries and a six. Their partnership guided West Indies closer to history before the lower-order batters finished the job.
West Indies eventually completed the chase in 128.5 overs, registering one of the most iconic victories in Test cricket history. Although Australia still won the four-match Test series 3-1, the historic chase in St John’s remains one of the proudest moments in West Indies cricket history.
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