The Ultimate Test Series: 2001 Border-Gavaskar classic vs SA storm Aussie fortress

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Ahead of the ICC World Test Championship Final, we’re looking to crown The Ultimate Test Series – a Test series that would stand out in any era for both its significance to the sport’s rich history and the level of cricket played.

Over the past four days we have invited you to vote on your favourite campaigns from a shortlist of 16. Now it is time for the quarter-finals.

Today, the iconic 2001 Border-Gavaskar Trophy takes on South Africa's historic triumph in Australia in 2008/09.

India vs Australia, 2001India win three-match series 2-1

Australia arrived in India with captain Steve Waugh determined to conquer what he had labelled the ‘final frontier’. Firmly cemented as the world’s best Test team, Australia were on course to do just that after winning the first Test handsomely, thanks to centuries from Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist.

That was their record-extending 16th straight Test victory and they were on track for a 17th when they enforced the follow-on at Eden Gardens. For the better part of two days, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid conjured a miracle, and captains have feared the follow-on ever since. The pair put on 376 runs together, with Laxman scoring a double-century. India would go on to win that Test with stumps closing in quickly on day five, cementing the match’s status as one of the greatest in cricket history.

In the series decider, Hayden stepped up for Australia again, scoring a brilliant 203 in a total of 391. It turned out to be an effort in vain, as India replied with 501 in their first innings, thanks to a century from Sachin Tendulkar and fifties from SS Das, Sadagoppan Ramesh, Laxman and Dravid. The Australians did well to push India all the way from there, with the hosts scraping to victory by two wickets in the end.

Australia vs South Africa - 2008/091-2 to South Africa across three Tests

Australia had not lost a Test series at home since 1992/93 when Graeme Smith’s South Africa arrived in 2008.

That record didn’t look to be at risk when they set South Africa a target of 414 – just four runs fewer than the highest successful chase of all time - to win on a cracking WACA deck. Carried by centuries from Smith and AB de Villiers, the Proteas pulled it off with six wickets to spare as JP Duminy impressed with an unbeaten 50 under pressure on debut.

A Test later and Australia’s unbeaten series run at home came to an end as Dale Steyn took twin five-fors at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Duminy scored a brilliant 166. This time around the Proteas only had to chase down a target of 183.

Australia went on to take out the final Test – a match that will always be remembered for the sight of Smith walking out to bat at No.11 with a broken hand.