World Series Cup Final Game Two
SCG, 1998
Historical context: Possibly the game that led to Australia winning the 1999 World Cup. Yeah, yeah, two corresponding games at the actual tournament had a little bit to do with it, but if Australia lost back in 1998 things could have been VERY different come the real thing.
1997-1998 was the first home season Australia had a specialist one-day team - Test captain Mark Taylor was jettisoned in favour of Steve Waugh and
However, things were not rosy: the hosts had failed to defeat South Africa during the preliminary round - which also featured New Zealand - and dropped the first final to the Saffers. Waugh, apparently wilting under the pressure of captaincy, had made a string of single-figure scores. The man on the street and the media were begging for the return of at least Healy.
If Australia had lost this game - and the trophy - maybe Waugh would have lost the captaincy less than six months after he got it. Then, maybe we wouldn't have seen Tugga's immortal ton in the 1999 World Cup Super Sixes and 50 in the tied semi-final.
Fortunately, they didn't lose.
I arrived a bit late for this one from my proper job - when I turned on the TV who was taking strike but cricket's best (worst?) match fixer, South African skipper Hansie Cronje. He duly smacks Tom Moody over deep midwicket. Bookies haven't been on the phone today, I guess.
Ian Harvey - son of disgruntled former Invincibles rent-a-quote Neil Harvey - bowls at the other end. The best Ian Chappell can can say about his offerings is "mixed up". I'll write it in plainer terms - he was shite.
At the other end - Paul Wilson. F*ck me.
Boof Lehmann offers some left-arm tweakers. Good bloke, old Darren.
Warnie is still rocking the 1993-style step cut. No yeah yeah ... yet.
Rod Marsh is commentating - wow. He says Cronje looks embarrassed to get 50. I wonder why??
Jonty Rhodes - the most honest man in cricket - combined with Cronje for a big stand. As breathtaking as his fielding was he was boring at the crease, even in highlights.
Moody has a bit of a nightmare spell on the boundary - he dogs a catch, then lets one go for four between his legs, THEN misjudges a catch.
Finally, Long Tom catches Rhodes off Warnie, with a chorus of boos ringing in his ears.
The ground looks funny with no ropes around it.
Cronje launches a six onto the roof of the O'Reilly stand. Jury is still out on whether the fix is in. Bill Lawry breaks out the old telestrator to show the trajectory. Not as good as the crazy graphics they have these days.
Finally, Cronje holes out to Bevan off Warne for 73. Maybe he had an exotic on himself making less than 75? Would have been a handy collect.
Shaun Pollock replaces his captain and tries to sweep Paul Reiffel. Plumb.
Pat Symcox - a mediocre spinner, even worse as a sledger - is next man in. He had a whole roast chook thrown at him during the Australian summer. Mouthy bastard probably deserved it.
The Proteas (GREAT nickname, by the way - a flower ... VERY intimidating) finish on 6/228.
Richie Benaud's on the screen, looking very dapper in the off white - or is it bone? Or eggshell? Or beige? Or ivory? - jacket.
Gilchrist in his second ODI as Australian opener. His highest score to this point is 77. He starts smoking EVERYTHING. Mark Waugh joins the party. Australia off to a flier.
Waugh plays a glorious shot through extra cover. Smashed it. Then he chops on. Shit.
Ricky Ponting is in at three. Seth Efricen Tony Grieg claims Ian Harvey was a chance to bat at three. Shenanigans.
Dave Richardson is wearing some fugly brown keeping gloves. Allan Donald on to bowl. Pretty quick. Gilly greets him by thrashing him through mid-off.
Brian McMillian - featuring a 'business at the front, party at the back' haircut - he gets drilled by Punter.
Donald has pulled an ass muscle. Shenanigans. I reckon Hansie told his most dangerous bowler to get the f*ck off the ground because he has a game to fix. Or Donald doesn't fancy copping more stick off Gilchrist.
The immortal Darryl Cullinan is on to bowl some pies. Gilly takes at least 20 off his first over. Hmmmmm.
Gilchrist was public enemy No 1 when he replaced Heals in the one day team. He was booed onto the ground or this dig. Now they're chanting his name.
Symcox has a whinge when he has a LBW shout against Gilchrist turned down on 96. Whinge, whinge, f*cking whinge.
Gilchrist brings up his ton with a gay little dab down to third man. Kinda in conflict with the general mood of his knock.
He is dismissed when McMillian bowls him for 104 off 100 balls. Top knock. Maybe made his career. Australia need only 53 runs off a heap of balls.
Harvey is in at four. Wh--at?
Punter is trapped in front by Kluesner for 47. 3/184.
Boof is in. Starts by launching Kluesner through cover for four.
Australia need 19 off 66 balls. Hansie brings himself on to bowl. I am certain he had another exotic on Australia winning inside 42 overs.
Four byes by Richardson helps the
I'm guessing Hansie got some cash out of that one.
Australia went on to win the third final and the tournament, perpetuating a history of South African chokes in big events after dominating the preliminary stages. The 1996 World Cup, a 1997 ODI series against Australia on the veldt and some random tournament in India come to mind.
Regardless of whether he made this ton or not, Gilchrist would have eventually come through the ranks - but maybe not as quickly. Also, Steve Waugh may very well have been dumped as skipper if Australia lost. That could have robbed Australia of one of the best periods of its cricketing history.
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