On this day

1995 The unofficial heavyweight championship of the cricket world began in sensational style when Australia reduced West Indies to 6 for 3 in the first half-hour in Bridgetown. Australia were weakened by the absence of Craig McDermott - they had Paul Reiffel and Brendon Julian taking the new ball - but Glenn McGrathshowed the first signs of greatness, and his second-innings five-for, which included the key wicket of Brian Lara, set the Aussies up for a ten-wicket win. In the first innings Lara had gone controversially after flashing 65, caught by Steve Waugh at gully even though replays showed the ball touching the ground. 1997 A better day for West Indies in Barbados, and another of their famous get-out-of-jail bowling performances. India needed only 120 to win the third Test, but they were cut off at 81, with only VVS Laxman and extras reaching double figures. In Brian Lara'sfirst match as captain, he crucially caught his opposite number, Sachin Tendulkar, for 4.