G.A. Gooch

183

G.A. Gooch 183 v New ZealandBack to boards

For the second time in the summer of 1986, Graham Gooch etched his name on to the Lord’s Honours Board with a century at the Home of Cricket.

This time, New Zealand were the opponents and Gooch’s long and commanding innings, as Wisden described it, helped England to a draw.

Gooch had made 18 in England’s first innings but half-centuries from his opening partner Martyn Moxon and David Gower helped the hosts to 307 all out. Martin Crowe’s 106 underpinned New Zealand’s 342 all out.

With a slender lead, the Kiwis set about forcing victory with two days left in the match, but Gooch had other ideas. England were only 75 ahead at 110 for 3 and when Mike Gatting fell, New Zealand were sniffing an opening, but Gooch forged a partnership of 126 with Peter Willey for the fifth wicket.

Gooch’s 183 came from 369 balls and included 22 fours as England declared on 295 for 6, leaving the New Zealanders to bat the final 15 overs for a draw. The hosts went on to lose the three-match series 1-0, the Kiwis’ first series victory in England.