Aussies slaughter South African pacers and bang makes another world records of highest score in an innings, passing 400 runs marks for the first time in history by any cricket team. That was one hell of a match, for bowlers a haunting dream and batsmen's sweet dream. This was the final match of the series between Australia and South Africa, played at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, on 12 March 2006 (50-over match).
In the start, Gilchrict in his own macho fashion molded another of his typo inning making quick 50, Katich on other end was holding firm. After, Gilchrist was gone, came the captain Ponting. Inning was going with good pace and everyone was expecting a good score near 300. Then, in the mid inning, storm took its pace and bam, bang, balls were chasing the boundary ropes, some were flying high, some were crusing between fielders. Katich soon left the party and Hussey came on crease. Hussey didn't spend any time in initial hiccups and on the other end, bowlers were realising their worst ever dream. Every ball was getting a treatment, which is best suited for a nail by hammer. South African fielders were left gasping and as sideboys to give back the ball to horrified bawlers. Hussey had its share of fun, hammering some classy fours and sixes. Ponting was just making himself a dream monster to set bowlers jumping on their couch and take their sleep away with a swift shot. Some credit should also go to South African bowlers who kept their sanity intact. Special treatment was reserved for one of the best allrounder of modern cricket. Kallis gave away 70 in his 6 overs. Telemachus was heartborken, offcourse, in his last over bowled consecutive 4 no balls. Hussey and Ponting were though not able to finish till the end and fell little before the bowler's holocaust. Symonds and Lee in last few overs, just kept the smoke flying of the firestorm pastby. Aussies ended with world record 434/4, which is even difficult in a test match with no restriction of overs.
Some good thoughts for South Africans also, for not giving up easily. They though being beaten brutally thorugh out the ground were brave enough to give it a chase. Smith surely have some guts, though he lacks some grey matter and experience. Smith, in start of series made his own grave by some laudable comments on Aussie. They were simply pathetic and laughable. Aussie, 2 down initially without their captain, mauled them in last 3. Though 4th was a close fight but as Steve Waugh wrote in his book "Out of my comfort zone", Aussie love their back against the wall and thats when they are most dangerous. Smith, though makes up a little with his gutts which may give a hope that he will gain some sanity as he gains more experience.
hmmm....
That was half of the epic which took place on 12th March, 2006. I agree, I left my seat in front of tv when South Africa had played just 10 overs. Match had some resemblence to the World cup final which was played on the same ground in 2003 between India and Australia. Aussies had in the same way butchered Indian bowlers. But the South African reply took the resemblence of the world cup semifinal match in 1999, between the same teams. That match was tied with South Africa not able to finish the chase. Steve waugh became famous and Gibbs became sort of infamous for a quote which though Waugh never took credit for was repeated again and again in media. Waugh as per media said to Gibbs when Gibbs dropped his catch that you have dropped the Cup, mate. In this match it was the same Gibbs which became hero of this battle.
I left the match with the feeling that South Africa will give a good chase but getting passed 434, was ..unthinkable. So, when I got a message in morning that South Africa has won, I was shocked. I opened the cricinfo and checked the Scorecard and left bedazzled in what I had missed. The way South Africans responded was just breathtaking. There were several records shattered and most disheartening was for Aussies who had built a record just in first inning. Aussie bowlers who were always enjoyed a fine run were in for some treatment which was always reserved for opponents by Aussie batsmen. Mike Lewis, new Aussie bowler, not only broke the record of Muralidharan for going highest number of runs in his 6 over spell, but it also helped Agarkar to get some sypathy for being hit for most number of runs per over. 113 in 10 overs of Lewis was unprecedent, Murali had got 99 in 10 overs against the Aussie team but still it look pale in comparison. Bracken, who on the normal days is not a bad fielder at all, dropped Gibbs once. Lee who bowled last over of the match, might have lost some confidence as he was at the receiving end when the epic climaxed.
There were also many South Africans who were able to salvage their reputation by playing their heart out in the chase. Gibbs, finally had some relief over dropping Waugh's catch in 1999. Smith, who had become famous for his illadvised comments was able to prove his leadership and batsmanship. Van Der Wath, who was plounded while bowling scored brisk 35 in just 18 bolls. Boucher played his part and finally, South Africa was able to remove the tag of chokers which had become synonymous with their names. It was GREATEST ever cricket match without any doubt.
In the start, Gilchrict in his own macho fashion molded another of his typo inning making quick 50, Katich on other end was holding firm. After, Gilchrist was gone, came the captain Ponting. Inning was going with good pace and everyone was expecting a good score near 300. Then, in the mid inning, storm took its pace and bam, bang, balls were chasing the boundary ropes, some were flying high, some were crusing between fielders. Katich soon left the party and Hussey came on crease. Hussey didn't spend any time in initial hiccups and on the other end, bowlers were realising their worst ever dream. Every ball was getting a treatment, which is best suited for a nail by hammer. South African fielders were left gasping and as sideboys to give back the ball to horrified bawlers. Hussey had its share of fun, hammering some classy fours and sixes. Ponting was just making himself a dream monster to set bowlers jumping on their couch and take their sleep away with a swift shot. Some credit should also go to South African bowlers who kept their sanity intact. Special treatment was reserved for one of the best allrounder of modern cricket. Kallis gave away 70 in his 6 overs. Telemachus was heartborken, offcourse, in his last over bowled consecutive 4 no balls. Hussey and Ponting were though not able to finish till the end and fell little before the bowler's holocaust. Symonds and Lee in last few overs, just kept the smoke flying of the firestorm pastby. Aussies ended with world record 434/4, which is even difficult in a test match with no restriction of overs.
Some good thoughts for South Africans also, for not giving up easily. They though being beaten brutally thorugh out the ground were brave enough to give it a chase. Smith surely have some guts, though he lacks some grey matter and experience. Smith, in start of series made his own grave by some laudable comments on Aussie. They were simply pathetic and laughable. Aussie, 2 down initially without their captain, mauled them in last 3. Though 4th was a close fight but as Steve Waugh wrote in his book "Out of my comfort zone", Aussie love their back against the wall and thats when they are most dangerous. Smith, though makes up a little with his gutts which may give a hope that he will gain some sanity as he gains more experience.
hmmm....
That was half of the epic which took place on 12th March, 2006. I agree, I left my seat in front of tv when South Africa had played just 10 overs. Match had some resemblence to the World cup final which was played on the same ground in 2003 between India and Australia. Aussies had in the same way butchered Indian bowlers. But the South African reply took the resemblence of the world cup semifinal match in 1999, between the same teams. That match was tied with South Africa not able to finish the chase. Steve waugh became famous and Gibbs became sort of infamous for a quote which though Waugh never took credit for was repeated again and again in media. Waugh as per media said to Gibbs when Gibbs dropped his catch that you have dropped the Cup, mate. In this match it was the same Gibbs which became hero of this battle.
I left the match with the feeling that South Africa will give a good chase but getting passed 434, was ..unthinkable. So, when I got a message in morning that South Africa has won, I was shocked. I opened the cricinfo and checked the Scorecard and left bedazzled in what I had missed. The way South Africans responded was just breathtaking. There were several records shattered and most disheartening was for Aussies who had built a record just in first inning. Aussie bowlers who were always enjoyed a fine run were in for some treatment which was always reserved for opponents by Aussie batsmen. Mike Lewis, new Aussie bowler, not only broke the record of Muralidharan for going highest number of runs in his 6 over spell, but it also helped Agarkar to get some sypathy for being hit for most number of runs per over. 113 in 10 overs of Lewis was unprecedent, Murali had got 99 in 10 overs against the Aussie team but still it look pale in comparison. Bracken, who on the normal days is not a bad fielder at all, dropped Gibbs once. Lee who bowled last over of the match, might have lost some confidence as he was at the receiving end when the epic climaxed.
There were also many South Africans who were able to salvage their reputation by playing their heart out in the chase. Gibbs, finally had some relief over dropping Waugh's catch in 1999. Smith, who had become famous for his illadvised comments was able to prove his leadership and batsmanship. Van Der Wath, who was plounded while bowling scored brisk 35 in just 18 bolls. Boucher played his part and finally, South Africa was able to remove the tag of chokers which had become synonymous with their names. It was GREATEST ever cricket match without any doubt.
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