Experts on Twitter point out ICC's mistake in tied Test match post

Today, 14th December holds a special place in Test cricket history. 56 years from this day back in 1960 an Australia vs West Indies Test match at the iconic Gabba, Brisbane ended in a tie. It was the first ever instance in the history of the game when a Test match concluded while both the teams had equal scores. The rareness of this occurrence can be understood by the fact that only once after that a Test ended in a tie. It was the India v West Indies Chennai Test of 2013, the last series of Sachin Tendulkar.

In the 1960 Test match West Indies had scored 453 runs in the first innings; Australia in their response bettered it with 505 runs and managed a crucial 52 runs lead. In the second innings, Windies were bowled out for 284 runs and set Australia a target of 233 runs. It proved to be a nail-biter and the hosts needed 6 runs to win in the last over which worth 8 balls at that time. They lost 3 wickets and only managed to level the scores as the last batsman was dismissed on the 7th ball. The match thus ended in a tie.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) like they do on most days that have historic significance posted a picture from the match on Twitter and wrote- “#OnThisDay in 1960, Australia and West Indies finished a Test with scores level in Brisbane. It was the first ever tied Test.”

But to the surprise of cricket fans, the picture was actually not from the Test. One of the most acclaimed statisticians from India Mohandas Menon identified that the image was indeed not from the match in discussion and from some other game as the wicketkeeper didn’t look like West Indies’ Gerry Alexander to him.

Mohandas tweeted- @ICC is this pic of the Brisbane tied Test? The West Indian keeper was Gerry Alexander. And the keeper in pic doesn’t look like Alexander.

@ICC is this pic of the Brisbane tied Test? The West Indian keeper was Gerry Alexander. And the keeper in pic doesn't look like Alexander.

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) December 14, 2016

Harsha Bhogle who had worked in tandem with him during his commentary days also pointed out that the six fielders that are placed around the bat was not something that happened in the Brisbane Test.

Harsha tweeted- @ICC also towards the end I don’t think there were 6 around at the bat at any time in Brisbane

@mohanstatsman @ICC also towards the end I don't think there were 6 around at the bat at any time in brisbane

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 14, 2016

After the embarrassment, ICC removed the Tweet but it had by then reached out to most cricket fans and they started tweeting about it.

Jarrod Kimber who is a popular cricket writer posted a screen grab of the tweet from ICC along with Mohandas’ reply.

Played pic.twitter.com/AnUM5SqqNi

— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) December 14, 2016

@mohanstatsman @ICC no, I'm pretty sure that's Adelaide, so 1961 (in which Alexander played) or 1969 when Henriks kept for Windies

— Paul Johns (@pdmjohns) December 14, 2016

@mohanstatsman @ICC I think Paul Sheahan batting with Alan Connolly. 1968 Adelaide 2nd innings. Aust 9 down hung on for draw.

— droyk kewal (@droykk) December 14, 2016

@mohanstatsman and gloves too modern , batsman to me looks like Paul Sheahan or Greg Chappell. Not Ferry Alexander for sure.

— droyk kewal (@droykk) December 14, 2016

@mohanstatsman @ICC Could have used this pic. pic.twitter.com/tdqYQrS3GP

— Papya. (@Dhaanu) December 14, 2016