Legendary batter Vivian Richards achieved one of many milestones in his career as he became the first-ever cricketer from West Indies to score a double century in Australia on December 23, 1984. Having already won the five-match Test series by 3-0, the Windies were now looking to make it 4-0 at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). It led to Viv Richards taking charge with the bat for West Indies, and he scored a famous double ton down under.
Batting first, West Indies posted 479 runs in the first innings as Vivian Richards top scoring with 208 runs off 245 balls, hitting 22 fours and three sixes. Apart from that, Larry Gomes (68 off 122), Richie Richardson (51 off 82), and Malcolm Marshall (55 off 110) also contributed with respective half-centuries. For Australia, Geoff Lawson and Craig McDermott scalped three wickets each, while Greg Matthews and Rodney Hogg took two wickets each.
Malcolm Marshall took five-wicket haul in the first innings to put Australia on back-foot
In reply to West Indies’ total of 479 runs, Australia were bowled out 296 runs, trailing by 183 runs in the first innings. Kepler Wessels top scored with 90(151) runs, while Andrew Hilditch scored 70(143). For Windies, Malcolm Marsh shone with the ball by registering figures of 5/86, while Joel Garner and Courtney Walsh scalped two wickets each and Roger Harper put one in his bag.
After taking a big lead in the first innings, West Indies declared their second innings on 186/5, giving Australia a target of 370 runs Following that, Andrew Hilditch scored 113(272) runs as Australia were 198/8 before the match ended in a draw. After that, Australia went on to win the fifth Test in Sydney by an innings and 55 runs, but West Indies ended up winning the series by 3-1.
