Tied Test
A tied Test is a Test cricket match where, after four innings, the team chasing the target is all out and both teams have the same score. It is extremely rare.
As of December 2024, there have been only two ties in 2,573 Tests since 1877. Both involved Australia and ended on the last over, with the scores level at the end of play. The first tie was in 1960 at The Gabba in Brisbane, West Indies vs Australia. The second was in 1986 at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, India vs Australia.
1960, Brisbane: West Indies scored 453; Australia 505; West Indies 284; Australia set a target of 233 to win. Australia were all out for 232 on the final over, tying the match.
1986, Chennai: Australia declared 574/7; India were 397; Australia 170/5; India finished 347 all out, tying the match. Greg Matthews took 5 wickets in the second innings and Dean Jones scored 210 for Australia.
A tie is different from a draw. A draw happens when time runs out with no winner after four innings. There have been other matches where the fourth-innings score was level but the chasing side still had wickets in hand, so those ended as draws.
Bob Simpson is the only person to be involved in both tied Tests—playing in 1960 and coaching Australia in 1986.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 06:18 (CET).