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Captain on fire! Allan Border’s Ashes hundred that silenced England in 1986-87

Poulomi Chakraborty

Allan Border's exceptional ton (Source: @EssexCricket/x.com)Allan Border's exceptional ton (Source: @EssexCricket/x.com)

In schoolbooks, we grow up reading about heroes who rise against the odds, and cricket’s history mirrors that spirit perfectly. Over the years, since the beginning, cricket has seen some superheroes who rose in crucial moments, dragging their team out of a slump.

The competitions bring out the best in any players, and rivalries are the best stage of it. While countless battles have faded with time, the Ashes between England and Australia remains unmatched across generations.

Over the years, the big stage witnessed some heroics, and players became legends. While Australia boasts a galaxy of stars, Allan Border’s legacy towers above many. His unforgettable Ashes century in 1986-87, crafted when Australia were in deep trouble, cemented his legacy.

Allan Border’s gritty 70 sparks Australia’s march to dominance

The historic Ashes was born in 1882, and since then, whenever England and Australia clashed in the longest format, fans enjoyed unmissable encounters. Legendary knocks turned players into immortals, and decades later, the Ashes still echo with tales of courage, drama, and unforgettable heroics.

In Australia’s cricketing history, Allan Border is a legend who crafted his own legacy with his excellence. Among all his heroics, the Adelaide Test of the Ashes 1986-87 still holds a special place as the Australians fought a battle with brave hearts, taking their team to a safe place in a fiery face-off against the arch-rivals.

Coming to bat first, Australia had a brilliant start with Geoff Marsh’s 43 and David Boon’s spectacular ton. After Boon’s dismissal, captain Allan Border joined Dean Jones on the field, and Australia received the boost that they needed.

Taking control, Border faced the lethal English attack with a brave heart. Partnering with Jones for a 126-run stand, he battled through with a crucial 70 off 130 balls. He may have missed the century, but it was an early sign of the storm that England saw in the second innings.

A heroic century that breaks England’s spirit

In the first innings, Allan Border stunned the English bowling unit with his masterclass, but the visitors are destined for a nightmare. Replying to Australia’s 514, England ended their first innings in 455 runs, and Australia returned to the field in the second innings, and England faced another humiliation on the field.

Returning in the second innings, Australia faced setbacks, losing two crucial wickets of David Boon and Dean Jones in just eight runs. Standing on that brink, Allan Border joined Marsh, and the cricket world witnessed a masterclass. Tightening his grip, he tore through English bowlers and smashed a gritty fifty.

In the first innings, he missed a well-deserved century and didn’t miss the shot in the second innings. Anchoring the innings, he channeled his brilliance and smashed a spectacular hundred. With his furious tone, Australia declared their innings in 201 runs.

The match ended without a result, but Allan Border’s courage told a different story. England tried hard to dominate Australia, but Border stood like a wall. In a rivalry filled with Australian triumphs, this defiant knock continues to tower over the rest.