The History of Classic Test Matches Telegraph Edition

TEST cricket raises its bat to acknowledge 150 years not out in 2027 and this volume recalls 25 of the greatest matches. From the “timeless’ Test of 1939 – a 10-day draw between South Africa and England – to Ben Stokes’ Ashes heroics at Headingley 80 years later, the collection is a reminder of the format’s unique and enduring appeal.

Whittling down the 2,600-plus Tests that have been played to 25 has been no easy task. Some demand inclusion for their end result, such as the only two tied Tests: Australia vs West Indies (Brisbane, 1960) and India vs Australia (Madras, 1986). 

Others recall individual or team heroics: Ian Botham and Bob Willis transforming England from 500-1 outsiders to winners against Australia (Headingley, 1981); Jim Laker taking 19 Australian wickets in a match (Old Trafford, 1956); or Colin Cowdrey coming out at the non-striker’s end with a broken arm to save a Test (Lord’s, 1963). Perhaps that is the beauty of this volume: every Test match tells a different story.

Choose from a range of cover colours and personalise your copy with a name and message to create a unique keepsake. Whether for a cricket enthusiast, or someone who remembers it first-hand — you hold not just a gift, but a piece of test match history ready to be passed on. 

Archivist insight: We reproduce these newspaper articles from scan archives. In some cases, there’ll be blemishes and the reproduction quality might not be as clear or precise as it was in the original paper.