The Ultimate Test Series: Australia-Windies' five-round thriller vs India-Pakisan's two-match classic

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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.

We’ve whittled it down to 16 Test series from all time, which we’ll reveal over the coming days. From there, we'll need your help.

Keep your eyes across our social channels and get voting when the time comes.

On day one, we pit a titanic five-Test series between Australia and the West Indies against a jam-packed two-Test series between India and Pakistan.

1960/61 – Australia vs West IndiesAustralia win five-match series 2-1

A contest between two sides led by two captains – Richie Benaud and Frank Worrell – who were staunch advocates of playing aggressive and attacking cricket. And the series lived up to the billing.

The tone was set early, as the opening Test ended in the first-ever tie in the history of the game. Chasing a target of 233, Australia required six runs off the final over with three wickets in hand. The man tasked with stopping this feat for the Windies – Wes Hall. The Windies managed to dismiss three batsmen in the final over, but not before the Australians had dramatically levelled up the score.

There would be comfortable victories for Australia and West Indies in Melbourne and Sydney respectively followed by a draw in Adelaide, setting things up perfectly for the decider at the MCG. The finale was a riveting contest, as the hosts had to fight tooth and nail to seal a narrow two-wicket victory while chasing down a score of 258.

Despite losing the series, the West Indian outfit won the hearts and the respect of the Australian public, and were paraded through Melbourne in open-top cars and cheered on by the large crowds that had gathered on the streets before departing back home.

1999 – India vs Pakistan1-1 across two Tests

An enthralling contest was expected between the two arch-rivals during their clash in 1999, and the series well and truly delivered its fair share of drama.

Sachin Tendulkar’s memorable knock of 136 was in vain as India fell short by a mere 12 runs in the opening Test match in Chennai while chasing down a target of 271. The close encounter was a treat for the fans witnessing it as it pitted Sachin’s mastery against the skills and wizardry of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Saqlain Mushtaq. The Pakistanis pulled off an incredible comeback to win the Test, with India collapsing from 254/6 to 258 all out following the dismissal of Tendulkar.

The second Test in Delhi would turn out to be another unforgettable encounter, with Anil Kumble etching his name in the history books. With Pakistan chasing down a total of 420, Kumble would scalp all 10 Pakistan wickets as he bowled them out for 207. He would become only the second bowler in history after Jim Laker to accomplish this feat.

Pakistan went on to win a third Test between the two teams a fortnight later, but that match was a part of the Asian Championship.