REMEMBER THE NAME

 

Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.

Venue- Eden Gardens, Kolkata [April 3, 2016].

England and West Indies were facing each other in the Finals of the 2016 T20 World Cup. England had previously lifted this Trophy in 2010, whereas the Windies won this Cup in 2012. Thus, both the teams were eying for their second T20 Title. It is interesting to note that both the sides previously clashed against each other in the Group Stage Game in Mumbai wherein the Windies just rolled over the English.  However, this was World Cup Final wherein anything can happen. The past records don't matter.  Furthermore, both the teams had a very great run in the tournament. So, picking any one of them as Favorite was not at all possible. 

On a tricky wicket West Indian Captain Daren Sammy won the toss and decided to field first. The West Indies had a strong start in the game, as Badree dismissed Roy for a duck in the second delivery itself, whereas Hales was caught by Andre Russell in the second over. Morgan was caught at slip by Gayle off Badree, leaving England at 3/23 after 4.4 overs. Root's contribution of 54 off 36 helped England make a comeback, but he was caught making an unusual paddle sweep off Carlos Brathwaite. Dwayne Bravo then took two wickets in three balls, dropping England from 110/4 to 111/7. The West Indian Bowlers deserve an applause because despite deep batting lineup, England managed to finish at just 155/9 after their 20 overs.

However, the game is not over till the final ball is bowled. Captain Morgan surprised everyone as he sent Joe Root to bowl the second over for the West Indian innings and immediately dismissed both Gayle and Johnson Charles. David Willey then had Simmons out LBW for a golden duck, leaving the West Indies at 11/3 in the third over. A partnership of 75 between Bravo and Samuels kept the West Indies in the game, and they still had a chance with 45 runs needed from the last four overs. Tight bowling left them nineteen runs behind going into the final over, but Brathwaite changed the game by hitting four consecutive sixes off the first four balls from Ben Stokes to secure a famous win in the City of Joy. The commentary of Ian Bishop still echoes in the ears of every Cricket Fan. 

However, it is interesting to note that English Bowlers fought very hard as only three West Indian batsmen reached double figures: Samuels, Brathwaite, and Bravo. Samuels finished with an unbeaten 85 off 66, which was the highest score in the history of World Twenty20 finals. Brathwaite set a new record for the most runs by a single batsman in the final over of a successful chase, with his 24 runs surpassing Michael Hussey's 22 for Australia against Pakistan in the 2010 semifinals in St. Lucia. Samuels was named Man of the Match for his outstanding performance, marking his second World Twenty20 final Man of the Match award and his second final half-century.

To watch the Highlights of the Final, Click Here. 

THE MATCH

 

Image Credit- NDTV. 

Venue- Eden Park, Auckland [28th February 2015].

Hosts New Zealand were facing Co-Hosts Australia in the Group Stage of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. Both the teams were in red hot form, so everyone was expecting a close encounter between the two neighbors. On a batting friendly wicket, Australian Captain Michael Clarke won the toss and decided to bat first. 

The Aussies got the best possible start as they scored 30 runs in just 13 deliveries. Eventually Tim Southee bowled Finch out for 14 and put some brakes on the Australian attack. However, it is pertinent to note that even though the run-rate did slow down, but the 50 runs stand between Warner and Watson kept the Australia alive in the game. Furthermore, the Aussie scorecard in the 13th over read 80/1 and it appeared that they would post a mammoth total. But this is when the lightning struck. Trent Boult bowled one of his fiercest spells of his career and in no time the Australian scorecard was reduced to 106/9. The match turned upside down. Trent Boult in his 10 overs spell dismissed 5 Australian Batsmen and made a mess of the Aussie Batting Line-Up. It was only because of Brad Haddin's quickfire 43 that the Aussies managed to cross 150 runs mark. 

The Kiwis needed 152 runs to win the game and it looked an easy task for the Hosts. Furthermore, Captain Brendon McCullum gave best possible start to his side as he scored an impressive 50 of 24 deliveries. It looked that the game would end in no time. But this is when another lightning struck. Mitchell Starc too bowled one of his best spells [6-28] as the Kiwis were reduced to 146/9 in 22.4 overs. It looked that Starc will win the game for his country. However, Boult survived the hat trick ball and the last ball of the 23rd over which kept his team in the game. And guess what, on the very next ball Kane Williamson hit a straight six of Pat Cummins and won the game for his country. 

[Postscript- Even though Kiwis won the group stage match, but Australia had their revenge in the World Cup Final wherein they thrashed Kiwis in Melbourne and won their 5th World Cup Trophy.]

To watch the Highlights of that Classic Encounter, Click Here.  

CAPTAIN COURAGEOUS

 

Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.

Venue- Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore [March 2022].

In the summers of 2022, Australian Cricket Team toured Pakistan to play 3 Tests, 3 ODIs and 1 T20. The Aussies were in red hot form as they blew the English 4-0 and retained the Urn. On the other hand, Pakistan too hammered Bangladesh in their home. As a result, everyone was expecting a tight contest between the two powerhouses of the game. Furthermore, the series between these two sides were now to be known as the Benaud-Qadir Series. This was done to honor the two legendary spinners Richie Benaud and Abdul Qadir who hailed from Australia and Pakistan respectively.

The first two tests of the series ended in a draw and the action now shifted to Lahore which was supposed to host the final test of the series. It is pertinent to note that pitch of the first test at Rawalpindi was rated below average by the match referee as the wicket was dead and benign. Across the first test, Pakistan's aggregate score was 728/4. So, one can figure out the nature of the pitch. However, the Australians were on the cusp of victory in Karachi, but Pakistani Skipper Babar Azam saved the game by scoring a gritty 196.  Hence at Lahore it was a must win game for both the sides if they wanted to lift the trophy. 

Australian Captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat first. Riding upon Usman Khawaja's 91, the Aussies ended up scoring 391 in their first innings. Apart from Khawaja, Steven Smith, Cameron Green and Alex Carey too scored vital 50s. Whereas for the hosts, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah picked up 4 wickets each.  In response the Pakistanis were bowled out for 268 in their first innings. Abdullah Shafique was the highest run-scorer for the hosts as he scored a solid 81 of 228 deliveries. Apart from him, Azhar Ali and Captain Babar Azam scored important fifties for their side. For the visitors, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc were the leading wicket takers as they picked up 5 and 4 wickets respectively. 

The pitch was a batting paradise and Aussies had no difficulty in scoring runs against the Pakistani Pace Attack. However, to everyone's surprise Aussie Skipper Pat Cummins declared at a score of 227/3. This meant Pakistanis needed 351 runs to win the match and the series. Many including the author of the post felt that it was big gamble played by the Aussie Captain. It is because Pakistanis in the previous test did score 443 runs in the second innings. So, there was a high possibility that they can chase down 351. 

Furthermore, the Pakistanis started of very strongly as in the 27 overs of Day 4 they scored 73 runs for the loss of no wickets. Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq were looking rock solid and determined to win this test for their country. However, on Day 5 everything changed. The Aussies kept on picking wickets in regular intervals and Pakistanis struggled to build a strong partnership. Despite the half centuries of Imam and Babar, Pakistanis were ultimately bowled out for 235 in their second innings. For the visitors, Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins picked up 5 and 3 wickets respectively and thereby broke the Pakistani dream of winning the series. 

The Aussies won the game by 115 runs and series 1-0. However, the same could not have happened without the courageous decision and skillful bowling of Pat Cummins. As a result, Pat Cummins was awarded the man of the match award, whereas Usman Khawaja was awarded the man of the series award for scoring 496 runs in 3 test matches.   

To watch the highlight of 5th Day, Click Here. 

 

 

THE KNOCK

 

Image Credit- The Quint.

Venue- Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town [January 2022].

In December-January 2022, Indian Cricket Team toured South Africa to play 3 Tests and 3 ODIs. Due to the Covid 19 pandemic it was decided to play the matches behind closed doors. The Indians won the first test at Centurion whereas the Proteas won the second test at Johannesburg. As a result, all eyes were now set in Cape Town which was hosting the third and the final test of the series. Virat Kohli who missed the second test was back in the team. This certainly gave a boost to the visitors. 

On a gloomy day at Cape Town, Indian Captain Virat Kohli won the toss and decided to bat first. The Indians started of slowly and steadily. However back-to-back wickets in two overs reduced the Indian scorecard to 33/2.  The game was on knife edge, and this is when Captain Kohli came out to bat. The conditions were tough, but Kohli batted with patience and perseverance. He defended the tough balls and played shots on loose deliveries. Furthermore, the dual between Rabada and Kohli was a battle worth remembering. Rabada was bowling with all his pace and might, whereas Kohli was playing and leaving those deliveries without looking uncomfortable. 

In a difficult Newlands track, Virat Kohli's tenacious display demonstrated patience and application as he guided India to a fighting first-inning score. Due to Kohli's gritty 79 Indians ended up scoring 223 in their first innings. It is pertinent to note that except Virat Kohli no other batsman reached the 50 runs mark. It was that difficult to bat on that track. In response the Proteas were bowled out for 210 in their first innings. Keegan Petersen was the leading scorer for the hosts as he scored a solid 72 from 166 deliveries, whereas for Indians Jasprit Bumrah picked up 5 wickets. 

The South African bowling was at its all-time best in the second innings as they dismissed India for just 198 runs in their second innings. India would have even struggled to reach 100 runs mark, but due to the century of Pant, Indians managed to set a fighting target for the Proteas. The Indian bowlers gave their best but, it was never going to be easy a below par total. The Proteas chased down 212 comfortably and thus won the match as well as series. 

Unfortunately, after this test match Virat Kohli stepped down as the Captain of the Indian Test Team and thereby marking the end of an era. However, that knock of 79 will forever be remembered by Indian Cricket Fans. 

To watch the knock of Virat Kohli, Click Here. 

SIRAJ MAGIC

 

Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.

Venue- R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo [September 17, 2023].

Tournament favorites India were facing hosts Sri Lanka in the finals of the 2023 Asia Cup. Even though India lost their previous encounter against Bangladesh, but the team which was playing the final was not the one who had played against the Bangla Tigers. It was their best possible XI from their strong 15 men squad. On the other hand, hosts Sri Lanka were too in good hot form as they defeated Pakistan in a close encounter to reach the finals. Hence everyone was expecting a tight game between the two cricketing giants from Asia. 

However, the opposite happened. Sri Lankan Captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and elected to bat first. The hosts got the worst possible start as Bumrah dismissed their opener Kusal Perera in the third delivery of the game. The Sri Lankans now needed a strong partnership to come out of this early setback. But the 4th over of the game almost sealed the fate of the game. Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj picked up 4 wickets in a single over and reduced Sri Lanka to 12/5 at the end of 4 overs. On that afternoon of Colombo, it was almost impossible to play Siraj [It was that good a spell]. The Lankans failed to recover from this deadly spell of Siraj and were eventually bowled out for 50 runs in 15.2 overs.  In response the Indians chased down this total in just 6.1 overs without losing any wicket. 

Mohammed Siraj was awarded the man of the match award for his excellent spell of 6/21 as India lifted the Asia Cup after 5 long years.  

To watch the highlights of the game, Click Here. 

  

THE LEGEND OF SIR COOK

 

Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo. 

Venue- The Gabba, Brisbane [November, 2010].

On 13th October, 2023 Sir Alastair Cook announced his retirement from professional cricket.  He retired from international cricket in September 2018 itself, but continued playing for his county. Eventually he decided to bid good bye to the gentlemen's game which he has been playing for decades. Sir Cook is indeed one of the greatest batsmen English Cricket has ever produced. We need not sing praises for him because his stats justifies his stature. 

There are innumerable occasions where Chef rescued his team. But for the author his most iconic knock will be the one played in the summers of Australia at the venue they call a Fortress. Yes you got it right. In this blog I will be talking about his marathon knock at the Gabba. The knock which set tone for England throughout the series. 

In the Australian Summer of 2010-11, English Cricket Team toured Australia to defend their Ashes title. The first test of the series took place at the Gabba. The venue where Austrasia has the best record in recent years. English Captain Andrew Strauss won the toss and elected to bat first. However the visitors were shocked in the first over itself as Ben Hilfenhaus dismissed Strauss for a duck in just 3rd delivery of the game. England were in all sorts of trouble, but then Sir Cook along with fellow English Batsmen stitched a few partnerships which brought back the visitors in the game. After 65 overs England were about to reach the 200 runs mark for the loss of 4 wickets. Sir Cook was batting on 67, but this is when Peter Siddle turned the game upside down. Peter Siddle took a hat trick on his birthday and in no time England were reduced to 197/7. Due to this spell the visitors were eventually bowled out for 260 runs in their first innings as Peter Siddle ended up with 6 wickets for 54 runs.

In response the Aussies scored 481 in their first innings. Mike Hussey scored a brilliant 195, whereas Brad Haddin scored a gritty 136. At one stage the Aussie scorecard read 143/5. However a 307 runs stand between Hussey and Haddin turned the course of the game. For the visitors' Steven Finn was the leading wicket taker as he ended with a figure of 6-125. 

The English were 221 runs behind the Aussie total. The Aussies were in command of the game, A defeat in the first test would have literally derailed the English expectations from the tour. Amidst such pressure Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook came in to bat. And Boy! What an exhibition it turned out to be. With their opening partnership of 188 runs, Strauss (110) and Cook (235 not out) set a record for England at the Gabba and surpassed Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe as the country's highest-scoring opening batsman. After that, Jonathan Trott (136 not out) and Cook shared an undefeated 329-run partnership till England declared on 1/517. Furthermore Don Bradman's record for the highest Test score at the Gabba was too surpassed by Cook's score of 235 not out.

The test match eventually ended in a draw, but it was clear that this was a different English Team who have landed on the shores of Australia. 

[Postscript- Sir Cook eventually ended up scoring 766 runs in that Ashes series as England lifted the urn in Australia after 24 long years. Interestingly since the 2010-11 Ashes, England have struggled to win a test in Australia forget about the series. As a result the 3-1 win in the 2010-11 Ashes will always be remembered by the Cricket Fans.]

To watch the knock of Sir Cook, Click Here.