10 Times Test Cricket Was Pure Drama – And We Loved Every Ball of It
Introduction
Not every iconic Test match is remembered for heroism, grit, or epic comebacks. Sometimes, it’s the absurd, the bizarre, or the downright hilarious that makes funny cricket moments and unforgettable. Test cricket has had its share of full-blown drama—be it comical collapses, miraculous saves, off-field tantrums, or simply events that made fans laugh, cry, or both. Here’s a countdown of 10 funniest Test cricket matches proved it’s not just a game—it’s a full-blown stage show.
1. England vs West Indies, Kingston 1998 – When the Match Lasted Less Than 2 Days
A five-day festival turned into a two-act play. England walked into Sabina Park, expecting a contest. What they got was an Ambrose-Walsh demolition job. In just 19.1 overs, England were bowled out for 46 in their second innings—their second-lowest total in Test history. Yes, you read that right. Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh made the ball talk (or scream), and England had no answers.
Drama Factor: The match ended before some English fans even landed in Jamaica. The scorecard looked like a phone number, and disbelief was the only constant on both sides.
2. India vs South Africa, Mumbai 2000 – A Turnathon Gone Wrong
Day 1 and the pitch was already spinning square. Murmurs in the commentary box turned into chuckles as batsmen began treating straight deliveries like googlies. Spinners from both teams had a feast, but India’s batting imploded in their second innings with 113 all out with Kumble—yes, the bowler—top-scoring with 27. South Africa won by innings and 71 runs.
Drama Factor: It felt more like kabaddi than cricket. The pitch was a minefield, and batsmen were victims of friendly fire.
3. Pakistan vs Australia, Sydney 2010 – The Catch That Wasn’t
Pakistan were on top. Australia were hanging by a thread. Mohammad Amir bowled a beauty, Hussey edged it, caught behind! Or was it? The umpire said not out. No DRS. Ball-tracking and replays showed it was out. Pakistan collapsed like a deck of cards. Hussey finished unbeaten and took Australia to a win from the grave.
Drama Factor: Misfielding, umpiring blunders, and collapses made this a tragicomedy for Pakistan fans. From joy to heartbreak in five bad overs and one missed call.
4. England vs India, Lord’s 2011 – The Zaheer Khan Hamstring Saga
First session, first spell—Zaheer was in rhythm. One wicket down, and then… a clutch of the thigh. He was done. India had walked into the Lord’s Test with only three pacers. With Zaheer out, the attack limped, literally and figuratively. England piled on the runs. With no adequate backup, India struggled. It was the first Test of the series and the rest of the matches went downhill.
Drama Factor: Imagine preparing for battle and forgetting your sword. That’s how India looked after losing Zaheer.
5. India vs New Zealand, Mohali 1999 – The Mankading Mayhem
During New Zealand’s second innings, Anil Kumble ran out Craig McMillan at the non-striker’s end in a Mankad-style dismissal. While legal, it sparked outrage. The crowd booed, the commentators debated, and sportsmanship was questioned the mankading incident in test.
Drama Factor: It wasn’t just the dismissal—it was the fallout. Spirit of the game or rulebook justice? Fans picked sides.
6. 1st Test, India vs Sri Lanka, Kanpur 2009 – The Light Show
Imagine this: floodlights on, sun still glowing, yet play stops for bad light. Umpires looked up at the sky like lost poets. Players stood around, confused. Fans booed. Play resumed… only to be halted again. The match was halted multiple times due to poor light—despite the floodlights being on and the sun still up. Umpires were more dramatic than players.
Drama Factor: Daylight drama. It was Test cricket meets stand-up comedy. Even the weather couldn’t understand the rules.
7. New Zealand vs England, Auckland 2013 – The Great Escape
A cult classic was born. England were 90/4 on Day 5, chasing 481 on Day 5 and Then 237/9. Enter Matt Prior and Monty Panesar. Monty, who hadn’t batted since the Jurassic era, faced 5 overs of pace and spin with monk-like serenity. A draw was earned. But Matt Prior and Monty Panesar hung on to draw the Test in one of the most comedic-yet-heroic defensive acts.
Drama Factor: Watching Monty block like a monk while Prior sweated it out was prime-time entertainment. The crowd cheered every defensive shot like a six. Monty became the meme hero we didn’t deserve.
8. West Indies vs England, Port of Spain 1994 – The Helmet Grab
Brian Lara had just broken Sir Garry Sobers’ record with 375. But what went viral? A fielding mix-up where Carl Hooper took a catch, lost control, the ball bounced off a helmet lying nearby—and somehow, it was ruled out.
Drama Factor: Helmet catch? Accidental assist? The weirdest legal dismissal in cricket. Cricket’s version of pinball. Fielding meets slapstick, but the rules said it counted.
9. India vs Bangladesh, Hyderabad 2017 – Mushfiqur’s Laughable Review
Umesh Yadav bowled a peach. Ball crashed into Mushfiqur Rahim’s pads. Plumb. Given out by the on-field umpire. Mushfiqur took the DRS. Hawk Eye Replays showed three reds—impact in line, wickets hitting, no bat. But it was just a hope and misplaced optimism. Even the umpire cracked a smile. Mushfiqur lost the review and decision stayed out.
Drama Factor: DRS gone wild. Fans called it the “worst DRS taken of the decade.” Bangladesh lost a review, and fans lost it in laughter.
Want to dive deeper into how DRS and LBW decisions work? Read our full explainer here.
10. Pakistan vs Australia, Hobart 1999 – Inzamam’s Slip Show
Inzy was a genius with the bat—and a slapstick legend between the wickets. In this Test, he tripped over his own feet while taking a run, rolled on the pitch, dislodged the stumps himself, and almost collided with his partner. All in 10 seconds.
Drama Factor: Inzy’s coordination was a meme factory. A funny but costly moment that summed up Pakistan’s chaos.
Watch all of Inzy’s funniest run-outs in this hilarious compilation.
Final Thoughts
Test cricket is often called the gentleman’s game—but let’s not forget, it’s also a magnet for madness. These matches weren’t about trophies or series wins; they were about moments that had fans howling, rewinding, and remembering.
They show us that even in the slowest format, chaos can unfold at any moment—whether it’s a fielding blooper, a DRS disaster, or a run-out that makes it to blooper reels for eternity.
If you enjoyed this lighter side of Test cricket, check out our article on 10 Test Battles That Moved the Cricketing World for the inspiring and heroic side of the game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the funniest moment in Test cricket history?
A1. Mushfiqur Rahim’s DRS blunder against India in 2017 and Glenn McGrath’s shouldering arms to a middle-stump ball in 1996 are often remembered as the funniest moments in Test cricket.
Q2. Has any Test match ever ended in under two days?
A2. Yes, multiple Tests including England vs West Indies (1998) have ended in under 2 days due to dramatic collapses.
Q3. What is the worst review taken in Test cricket?
A3. Mushfiqur Rahim’s review during India vs Bangladesh 2017 is often cited as one of the worst DRS calls.
Q4. Why do funny cricket moments matter in Test cricket?
A4. They provide comic relief, humanize the players, and break the monotony of long days with unforgettable incidents.
Q5. Are these matches still celebrated today?
A5. Yes, these matches are often featured in retrospectives, highlight reels, and blooper compilations.