Trivia: Ian and Greg Chappell — a pair of hundreds for a pair of brothers in the same Test

Records are created and shattered, but only few remain invincible. Such was the record between Australian brothers Ian and Greg Chappell in the first Test at Basin Reserve in 1974.

Records are created and shattered, but only few remain invincible. Such was the record between Australian brothers Ian and Greg Chappell in the first Test at Basin Reserve in 1974. Skipper Ian got it right at the toss and opted to bat first on a quiescent surface, which had a strong breeze blowing over.   Also Read: Twitterati blasts Greg Chappell over comment on Indian team

New Zealand drew the first blood in the form of Keith Stackpole as Murray Webb shattered the former’s timber and moments later Dayle Hadlee got the better of Ian Redpath. The fall of Redpath meant the Chappell brothers were together out in the middle.

Both the batsmen stuck to their guns and stitched a massive partnership in the first innings of 264 runs. The skipper Ian raced towards his century in 207 deliveries while Greg’s innings was a classy display of impeccable timing and grace. Greg brought up his ton in just 160 deliveries. At the end of the day, Ian departed after edging one Webb for 145 but Greg remained unconquered on 162. Also Read: Indian teams have tried to take short-cuts rather than work hard, says Greg Chappell

Gregg continued with same buoyancy on the very next day and plundered some quick runs, getting to his double ton in the meantime. Greg was unbeaten on 247 at lunch, which is when Australia declared the innings at 511 with intent to produce a result. A triple century looked feasible for Gregg had only his skipper not declared their innings on a docile surface. Greg would definitely have been devastated after being on the brink of achieving a personal milestone but it wasn’t to be.

Ian’s hope of winning the Test was whacked after New Zealand scored 484 in their first innings riding on Bevan Congdon and Brian Hastings’ tons. Australia once again walked out to bat and the wicket was not playing any role in assisting the bowlers.

At Lunch on Day 5, Australia had already piled 193 runs to their existing 27-runs lead from the first innings. Ian was once again drilling his path to another tenacious century and a result looked inaccessible considering the nature of the pitch in past four days. Ian opted to bat further and smacked another ton. Greg walked in after Redpath made the long walk back on 93, Congdon denied him a century.

Greg accompanied Ian once again and the duo contributed 86 and the former looked unstoppable. He resumed batting from he had left in the first innings and scored a gritty 133 off just 175 deliveries. His scintillating innings included 18 well-designed boundaries while Ian ended his innings for a resolute 121. Once again, it was a refined demonstration of delicate timing and brilliant batting. History was created at Wellington, though the Test ended in a draw but Ian and Greg inscribed their names with gold.

This was the first time in the history of cricket that the feat was achieved where two brothers scored two centuries each against the red ball in the same match. Till date, the record has been unbeaten and will require some serious skill set, and of course a pair of brothers to emulate.