I was at the Bridgetown game in 1999
Lara played such a great knock that it didn't matter. Australia didn't have many missed chances (think Gillespie got injured which weakened the bowling attack on the last day as well as Warne being out of form coming back from injury)
Last night or South Africa at the SCG
Another one that wasn't a loss was v South Africa at Adelaide in 2012. Faff batted forever for them to hold out for a draw and go on to win the series (also Rob Quinney's last test)
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...d-test-south-africa-tour-of-australia-2012-13
Wow, you're lucky to have been in attendance at Bridgetown. That was one special innings that nearly ended Warne's test career (got dropped next test in favour of Colin Miller).
Lara's 153* was ranked by Wisden as the 2nd best test innings of the 20th century (behind Bradman's 270 in 1937).
OT, If you are going to include drawn tests we fell agonisingly short in, in addition to that Adelaide 2012 test vs South Africa, other tests that immediately come to mind:
- West Indies, Brisbane 1992 (that infamous hailstorm turned out to be crucial, as the Windies only just hung on by the skin of their teeth. Had Warney played - which Allan Border later regretted not selecting him - things may've panned out differently and could've broken the Windies unbeaten streak. Had to wait until 1995 to do it.
Also, Damien Martyn's debut, Dean Jones' only appearance as 12th man, and Patrick Patterson/Bruce Reid's final test matches).
- New Zealand, Hobart 1997 (Ah, here's a test that doesn't get mentioned much and probably escapes most peoples' memories. Doull and O'Connor survived 40 minutes with 1 wicket remaining to draw, and avoiding a 3-0 clean sweep. Simon Cook's final test before a freak accident with a council roller dented his cricket career, Greg BLEW IT on 99 for the 2nd time that year, Matt Elliott took a brilliant catch in the outfield IIRC).
vs Sri Lanka, Cairns 2004
vs England, Cardiff 2009 (the infamous Panesar-Anderson partnership and the timewasting tactics secured the draw)