tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18743605321527701382024-03-05T21:31:57.312-08:00Indra Vikram Singh's heritage and myriad strokesMusings on a royal legacy, the game of cricket and current issues.Indra Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800239858093978514noreply@blogger.comBlogger276125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874360532152770138.post-58794851749400198692024-02-16T09:05:00.000-08:002024-02-16T09:06:22.440-08:00Two Classic Books by Indra Vikram Singh<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiao4Wn4iUI2lcym2ozd4mkBR5ZZoH0SXc884m5ifA_Qhi-wc_e-VumzIE8K2ZmlDiM_Xrj68jBOWMkW-FLYUgErM8Y_IQUKakeRiRF9T1qbIJPv1kyh0A8FSmuZ7Wxr8rDfV5g9xJROcmJ_FFnZNbHOF_rJjXtf9zQvrfWXb3ToVC9c85ndGwWm3NGifPm/s1125/A%20Maharaja's%20Turf%20cover%20(front).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiao4Wn4iUI2lcym2ozd4mkBR5ZZoH0SXc884m5ifA_Qhi-wc_e-VumzIE8K2ZmlDiM_Xrj68jBOWMkW-FLYUgErM8Y_IQUKakeRiRF9T1qbIJPv1kyh0A8FSmuZ7Wxr8rDfV5g9xJROcmJ_FFnZNbHOF_rJjXtf9zQvrfWXb3ToVC9c85ndGwWm3NGifPm/w400-h320/A%20Maharaja's%20Turf%20cover%20(front).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWPpnxS9J0CLmJl1vmBPiGkRYi340-bsgzDoLaiTDtFez-KOG6uIOKqYlKEH88lTd1sPXWNmWC5KhJzMsjmYlqzXvVxt3-LopsKOhhtLuxnEZnqytoo4eMb7yrPug7AGGs0TA_5VUZ1WXXviQNrV5mgP8cCXpJMRnDnbDdjDNVS6oIoWCFSZZSyg0UGRQ/s896/Don's%20Century%20cover%20(front).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="679" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWPpnxS9J0CLmJl1vmBPiGkRYi340-bsgzDoLaiTDtFez-KOG6uIOKqYlKEH88lTd1sPXWNmWC5KhJzMsjmYlqzXvVxt3-LopsKOhhtLuxnEZnqytoo4eMb7yrPug7AGGs0TA_5VUZ1WXXviQNrV5mgP8cCXpJMRnDnbDdjDNVS6oIoWCFSZZSyg0UGRQ/w304-h400/Don's%20Century%20cover%20(front).jpg" width="304" /></a></div><br /><div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A
Maharaja's Turf</span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Collector’s
edition on the triumph of Maharaja Sir Vijaysinhji<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">of
Rajpipla in the Epsom Derby of England in 1934</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Published
in India by Sporting Links <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ISBN
978-81-901668-3-6 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fully
Illustrated<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hardcover
with jacket 8.75 x 11.5 x 0.6 inches (landscape)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Weight
500 grams <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">140
Pages<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Available
at an attractive price on Amazon<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.amazon.in/dp/8190166832">https://www.amazon.in/dp/8190166832</a></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This is the story of the exhilarating victory of Maharaja Sir
Vijaysinhji of Rajpipla in the Epsom Derby of England in 1934, the only Indian
owner to win the blue riband of the turf in its history dating back to 1780.
The dapper Indian prince’s horse Windsor Lad, ridden by Charlie Smirke, left
the hitherto undefeated favourite Colombo trailing in third place in the
presence of royalty led by King George V and Queen Mary, and a multitude of an
estimated quarter to half a million people on that damp afternoon of
6th June. The triumph earned the Maharaja a unique hat-trick of
Derby victories as he had already clinched the first Indian Derby at
Calcutta in 1919 with his horse Tipster, and the Irish Derby at Curragh in 1926
with Embargo.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Trained by Marcus Marsh, Windsor Lad went on to be rated as one of
the finest horses of the 20<sup>th</sup> century. Marcus Marsh’s father,
Richard, had trained Derby-winning horses for the then reigning King George V
and the late King Edward VII.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The enthralling tale recounted by the Maharaja’s grandson Indra
Vikram Singh offers an insider's insight, and is embellished with rare media
photographs of the race and from the Rajpipla royal family collection over many
generations. It has been extensively researched from about 80 newspapers
and magazines of 1934, five books and websites, and carries articles by the
Maharaja himself. There are news reports, cartoons and caricatures which open
out a whole new world. Featured are the British royal family, the Aga Khan,
Maharaja Man Singh II of Jaipur and the leading racehorses, owners,
trainers and jockeys of the day, among other eminent personalities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The book captures the era between the two World Wars, of imperial
times and a royal lifestyle, also going back centuries into history, connecting
the past and the present and depicting the march of time, even as the thrilling
race remains the central theme. It unfolds the tale of the uncanny prophesy of Gipsy
Lee, the several coincidences around the number 13, the defeat of a
'super-horse', and the unrelenting quest of a prince to realise his dream that
is bound to keep the reader transfixed.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Don’s
Century</span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Biography
of Don Bradman<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">and
a panaroma of batting from the 1860s to the present times</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Published
in India by Sporting Links<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ISBN
978-81-901668-5-0<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fully
illustrated<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Paperback
French Fold 11 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Weight
480 grams<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">188
pages <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Available
at an attractive price on Amazon<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.amazon.in/dp/8190166859">https://www.amazon.in/dp/8190166859</a></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The questions still asked are: how great was Don Bradman actually,
was he just a run-getting machine and a statistical marvel, or was he truly the
best there has ever been, have there been other batsmen as good or better than
Bradman. Don’s Century analyses Bradman’s batting technique, brings forth his
amazing achievements at the crease, and assesses the merits of other great
batsmen from the 1860s to the present times. Written in the centenary year of
the peerless Don Bradman, the book is a celebration of the life and magic of
the willow of The Don, and also of the art of batting and indeed the game of
cricket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The 11-chapter book by Indra Vikram Singh, the only Indian
biographer of Bradman, interspersed with stories and comments from legendary
writers and cricketers alike, and extensively researched from scores of old
publications, has three sections.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The main segment showcases Bradman's days at the crease from
Bowral to Sydney, on to Lord's and Leeds, back to Adelaide, and finishing at
The Oval in 1948. The legend begins with young Don’s rise to the top, his first
fifty and hundred in the backwaters of Bowral, the maiden double century
against Wingello and triple ton versus Moss Vale, hundred on first-class debut
and on to Test cricket. Bradman’s legendary feats in the Test arena are
recalled in all their magnificence, the hundreds in his first Test series, the
unprecedented and still-unparalleled triumphs of the Ashes tour of 1930, and
annihilation of the West Indies and South African teams.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The saga undergoes a dramatic twist with the vicious Bodyline
attack that was devised solely to decimate the genius of Bradman. This chapter
carries extracts from letters received by the author from England’s Bob Wyatt
who was vice captain to Douglas Jardine during that infamous series.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The aftermath of Bodyline, Bradman’s exhilarating fightbacks on
and off the field, how his stirring deeds brought solace to the suffering
millions during the Great Depression, and his resilience as captain of
Australia are presented lucidly, leading to the sabbatical brought about by the
Second World War. The final lap of The Don’s career after the war, the firm
hold on the Ashes, his exploits against the first Indian team after the
nation’s independence, and finally the 1948 tour of England by his
‘Invincibles’ are described vividly and objectively. The text is supplemented
by twenty scorecards detailing Bradman’s finest achievements in the first-class
and Test arenas.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A large chapter in the middle is a panorama of batting portraying
thirty-four of the best players down the ages, for no story of Sir Donald Bradman
can be complete without an appraisal of other giants of the crease.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Commencing with the colossus of the Victorian era Dr. W.G. Grace,
the captivating genius Prince Ranjitsinhji, the endearing and enthralling
Victor Trumper from Australia, the complete master Sir Jack Hobbs, continuing
with the likes of Frank Woolley, Charles 'Governor General' Macartney, Bill
Ponsford, Walter Hammond, Stan McCabe, the forbear to West Indies giants George
Headley, the brilliant South Africans Bruce Mitchell and Dudley Nourse, India’s
Vijay Merchant, Sir Leonard Hutton, Dennis Compton, Neil Harvey, Arthur Morris,
the inimitable Ws Sir Frank Worrell, Sir Everton Weekes and Sir Clyde Walcott,
the original little master Pakistan’s Hanif Mohammad, the incomparable Sir
Garfield Sobers, Graeme Pollock, Barry Richards, Greg Chappell, Sunil Gavaskar,
Sir Vivian Richards, arguably New Zealand’s finest Martin Crowe, Steve Waugh,
the exhilarating Sri Lankan Aravinda de Silva, and concluding with the champions
of the modern era Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting and Matthew
Hayden, and many more referred to down history, how good they were, and how
they compared with each other and Bradman.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They include some of Bradman's favourite players. This is not just
a factual or statistical segment, but importantly talks about the epochs and
conditions they played in, and also has interesting little tales. It traces the
evolution and development of the game from W.G. Grace’s days in the 1860s till
the present day.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The third and concluding part explores the vicissitudes of
Bradman’s life, trials and tribulations, his persona, way of life and quest for
excellence, the detractors, friends and family, post-retirement days and role
as cricket administrator, and the final stretch of one of the most amazing
stories ever, of a sporting hero and icon beyond compare. A handwritten letter
from The Don received by the author Indra Vikram Singh in 1999, and an article
based on it that he wrote at Bradman’s demise in 2001, are all featured in this
tribute to the unquestioned king of kings of the crease.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There are nearly 100 classic photographs of Bradman and other
greats in sepia brown from the top agencies of the world. A comprehensive
statistics section highlighting Bradman’s accomplishments and records sums up
the inspirational tale. A detailed index makes the book extremely
user-friendly.</span></p></div>Indra Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800239858093978514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874360532152770138.post-31862867719650655542024-01-26T06:48:00.000-08:002024-01-26T06:48:50.369-08:00Agriculture and mineral resources of Rajpipla State as described in the book ‘Princes of India’ (1937)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RN40PgUJbMJhxRK41fgvs6pBm2UAOcwp1k2CxBjXwpgF__Ku9xJKc2AfLqQ3H5zUUfwSHy2Me6iGezSFpIgNz_iAa4GbMcccgeYaOCG-D9U4ONBgEE9eL2j0OqyFf0MQImBPStgqLH-VXqKWjiETBM6w8HGO_VGaWLaVECZMVq8EtpBIx5ERzD8N2ccu/s350/Rajpipla%20State%20Coat%20of%20Arms%20(old).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="320" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RN40PgUJbMJhxRK41fgvs6pBm2UAOcwp1k2CxBjXwpgF__Ku9xJKc2AfLqQ3H5zUUfwSHy2Me6iGezSFpIgNz_iAa4GbMcccgeYaOCG-D9U4ONBgEE9eL2j0OqyFf0MQImBPStgqLH-VXqKWjiETBM6w8HGO_VGaWLaVECZMVq8EtpBIx5ERzD8N2ccu/w366-h400/Rajpipla%20State%20Coat%20of%20Arms%20(old).jpg" width="366" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Rajpipla is an
essentially agricultural State. The cultivation of cotton on a large scale and
improvement of its staple has brought prosperity to cultivators. Until about
the year 1919 the cotton grown was of the inferior Goghari variety, the result
being that the cultivators could not get an adequate return for their produce.
In order to improve their lot His Highness, the present Maharaja (Vijaysinhji),
introduced in the year 1919-20 legislation prohibiting people from sowing
Goghari and other inferior varieties and making it obligatory on them to sow
the long-stapled variety of cotton known as “1027 A.I.F’.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Every year the
State through expert agencies selects the best seed of this kind and
distributes it to the cultivators. The results and the consequent profits to
the farmers are outstandingly marked. For whereas in the former years the
Rajpipla cotton fetched prices 30 to 40 rupees per candy below Broach Cotton,
it now fetches 50 to 80 rupees more than Broach and is in a class with and
compares most favourably with the Navsari cotton which is the best grown Indian
cotton.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Another great
advantage to the cultivators is that whereas in the past they had to go 40 to
50 miles, and in many cases more, away from their houses into the British
districts to sell their cotton, they have, through the introduction of this
measure and the success it has achieved, found a ready market at their own
doors, and there is such a great demand for the superior variety of cotton that
it is readily sold out, even in these days of trade depression, to outside the
merchants who flock there during the cotton season.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The popularity
and success of this measure will be judged from the fact that the area under
cotton cultivation, which was somewhere between sixty and seventy thousand
acres before the year 1919, has increased by leaps and bounds, and is for the
last six or seven years in the vicinity of 1,40,000 acres, and has remained at
that figure even in the times of trade depression, which has affected cotton
more than any other commodity.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This activity in
cotton has had a most wholesome effect on trade and industry generally. Whereas
before the introduction of long-stapled cotton there were only two ginning
factories and no cotton press, there now exist eleven ginning factories and
three cotton presses, all working at a considerable profit to their owners.
Encouraged by these good results, the starting of a spinning and weaving mill
in the State is being contemplated and there are offers from several companies
to launch a project.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The country is
not lacking in mineral resources. As already mentioned, the Cornelian or Agate
Mines of the State are known from the time of Ptolemy. Early in the sixteenth
century an Abyesinian merchant named Bawaghor is known to have established a
cornelian factory at Limbodra. This Sidi merchant, while wandering from place
to place on pilgrimage, did business in precious stones and, becoming skilled
in agates, set up a factory at Limbodra where he prospered and died rich.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A shrine was
raised in his honour on a hill close to the Cornelian mines, now well known as
the Bawaghor Hills in the Ratanpur Forests of this State. A fair of very great
importance is held there every year. Negotiation are in progress with some
well-known firms to work the mines on a scientific basis. These have been
handicapped, however, in the general trade depression and by the fact that
cheap foreign articles made from artificial stones are abundant in the market.
With improved economic conditions it is hoped to work this industry on modern
and scientific lines and put it on a sound financial basis.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Marble of good
quality is to be found in the Garudeshwar Taluka of this State. It is basically
black in colour and takes very good polish. Marble in white and in grayish and
greenish tints is occasionally found.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There is
excellent building stone near Jhagadia, in the Kadia Dungar and Bardaria Hills.
The stone is grayish white and rather on the hard side. It takes good polish
and is suitable for carving.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The proper
working of these quarries had been handicapped up till now by the difficulty of
transport, but it is now being overcome by the construction of a light railway
and it is hoped that this building stone will secure a good market.</span></p><p>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Red
and yellow ochre and fire and pottery clays are also found in abundance and
recently a factory for pottery works and tiles has been established at
Jhagadia. Cement stones and good lime stones and gypsum are also found in large
quantity in the State.</span></p>Indra Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800239858093978514noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874360532152770138.post-85660952663913605152023-12-24T09:28:00.000-08:002023-12-24T09:30:34.061-08:00Rulers of Rajpipla driving their cars when Governors of Bombay came calling in early 20th century<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyHsMhTj784bHZWsqU3A5HsDcOI00BB3tUm75bdaRp_a838BbeWOD7DKpaXhM-f_YuFjWnnTDfa2fQR4lDT88beKEd-tCMQZq7HDfLD4xES3jlKt_r1OPJQMcAU3Ne0udwXYavs4kw40Qc5VlWNSCPI32MmLWMGQl4VI-hEhXrHrEKagPOif1b9FeWVd-/s421/Maharana%20Chhatrasinhji%20of%20Rajpipla%20driving%20his%20Wolseley%201905%20with%20Lord%20Lamington%20seated%20beside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="305" data-original-width="421" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyHsMhTj784bHZWsqU3A5HsDcOI00BB3tUm75bdaRp_a838BbeWOD7DKpaXhM-f_YuFjWnnTDfa2fQR4lDT88beKEd-tCMQZq7HDfLD4xES3jlKt_r1OPJQMcAU3Ne0udwXYavs4kw40Qc5VlWNSCPI32MmLWMGQl4VI-hEhXrHrEKagPOif1b9FeWVd-/w400-h290/Maharana%20Chhatrasinhji%20of%20Rajpipla%20driving%20his%20Wolseley%201905%20with%20Lord%20Lamington%20seated%20beside.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maharana Chhatrasinhji of Rajpipla driving his <br />Wolseley 6 hp 1903-04 car,<br />with Governor of Bombay Lord Lamington seated beside in 1905.<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTwakLZUNUF9VPVOyiBfR9_bE6yZgoD2eD0AZeliwZDWnQ5W3aknB9YMkofO5WjAIGvnnm2Hd7vuyQgJDaEEZ8M-R0WHITxWJZsbRwW_cambImA3BnxmP-BfsAvXVSGMIcjpkGe-rLFi0n0dxrjauY0rK86xQRHRRme5iOTKjqS4sPBRFd7T0aHVrgxKR/s594/152958331%20-%20Maharaja%20Vijaysinhji%20driving%20through%20a%20forest%20in%20Rajpipla%20in%20Feb%201917%20with%20Lady%20Willingdon%20seated%20beside%20him%20and%20Lord%20Willingdon%20at%20the%20back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="594" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTwakLZUNUF9VPVOyiBfR9_bE6yZgoD2eD0AZeliwZDWnQ5W3aknB9YMkofO5WjAIGvnnm2Hd7vuyQgJDaEEZ8M-R0WHITxWJZsbRwW_cambImA3BnxmP-BfsAvXVSGMIcjpkGe-rLFi0n0dxrjauY0rK86xQRHRRme5iOTKjqS4sPBRFd7T0aHVrgxKR/w400-h289/152958331%20-%20Maharaja%20Vijaysinhji%20driving%20through%20a%20forest%20in%20Rajpipla%20in%20Feb%201917%20with%20Lady%20Willingdon%20seated%20beside%20him%20and%20Lord%20Willingdon%20at%20the%20back.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maharaja Vijaysinhji of Rajpipla driving through a forest,<br />with Lady Willingdon seated beside and<br />Governor of Bombay Lord Willingdon at the back in 1917.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Indra Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800239858093978514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874360532152770138.post-76813752047064778702023-11-09T09:14:00.005-08:002023-11-09T09:26:06.496-08:00Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s book ‘Cricket World Cup - Hat-trick of Home Wins’. Hall of Fame: Jofra Archer<p style="text-align: center;"> <b style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Speedy,
key element in England’s victory trail of 2019</span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-AUEWpw4yn0kTKD4yfUWGpleZuXtJIMw89Do7HWRtAtVmwI1l_6B4h0H9GrDZS9AA3bitjz2nKhw4Jghv_BhyphenhyphenThUoz55_ekX2Io2_DASJAziQVUE9az3RIjIrQtV8G-OZKUkZmYTcFv1Or-W-1ls0pDdQVoR_R6AbSk94LqfaBQZaY1fzOHE7Xq49rHN/s643/Jofra%20Archer.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="428" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-AUEWpw4yn0kTKD4yfUWGpleZuXtJIMw89Do7HWRtAtVmwI1l_6B4h0H9GrDZS9AA3bitjz2nKhw4Jghv_BhyphenhyphenThUoz55_ekX2Io2_DASJAziQVUE9az3RIjIrQtV8G-OZKUkZmYTcFv1Or-W-1ls0pDdQVoR_R6AbSk94LqfaBQZaY1fzOHE7Xq49rHN/w266-h400/Jofra%20Archer.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 106%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Jofra Archer was England’s highest wicket-taker in
the 2019 World Cup with 20 scalps, and 5 three-wicket hauls.</span></span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 106%;">ONE-DAY
WORLD CUP BOWLING: Matches 11, Balls 605 Maidens 8, Runs 461, Wickets 20, Average 23.05,
Best 3/27, Runs/Over 4.57, Catches 2</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 106%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">A lethal paceman capable of
generating lightning speed and disconcerting bounce, Jofra Archer’s career has
been dogged by injury. He has been in and out of the English team, but when fit
is central to their plans with his ability to strike, invariably when needed.</span></div></span></span><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: white; line-height: 106%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-GB">Virat Kohli observed about Archer
before the 2019 World Cup, "I think he is probably going to be their
X-Factor because he holds a skillset which is probably different from everybody
else. He can generate a lot of pace which can be intimidating. You don't expect
that because of his run-up but the way he is built...he is a great athlete.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-GB">The English batsmen flayed the South
African attack to post 311 for eight in the opening faceoff of the 2019 World
Cup. Archer caused early damage, hitting Hashim Amla on the grill of the helmet
with a vicious bouncer, forcing him to retire hurt. Not long after, he had the
new batsman Aiden Markram caught at slip. Soon, he sent back skipper Faf du
Plessis with another bumper, edged into the hands of fine-leg. He returned
later to end a fighting knock from Rassie van der Dussen (50), having him
caught at mid-on. The Proteas were on the ropes at 167 for six, and eventually
bowled out for 207 in under 40 overs. Archer returned with a bag of three for 27
from 7 overs. It was a fiery World Cup debut.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-GB">The Pakistani top-order was in prime
form. It was a sobering experience for Archer as he finished with none for 79
in a total of 348 for eight. It was a tall order for England, and battle as
they might, ended up 14 runs short of the opponents’ total.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-GB">There was a course correction as they
took on Bangladesh. The opening pair of Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow that
served them so well in this tournament strung together a century stand. It
enabled them to post their highest World Cup total of 386 for six. Archer
bowled a beauty to Soumya Sarkar that sent the off bail flying. He returned
later and got Mehidy Hasan Miraj to nick into the gloves of Bairstow. In the
same over, he bowled a fierce short one to last-man Mustafizur Rahman who did
not have the wherewithal to survive it. He fended and the ball lobbed to
Bairstow. Bangladesh were sent packing for 280. Archer had three for 29 this
time off 8.5 overs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-GB">The English bowlers put the West
Indies batting under pressure right from the start. Archer dug one in to
top-scorer Nicholas Pooran (63), and had him nicking into the gloves of Jos
Buttler. Next ball, he trapped Sheldon Cottrell leg-before. Soon, he had Carlos
Brathwaite edging for Buttler to snap up another one. West Indies were gasping
at 211 for nine, and were all out a run later. Archer walked off with three for
30 off 9 overs. England breezed to an eight-wicket win.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-GB">With Eoin Morgan leading the
annihilation of the Afghan bowlers with his 148 in 71 deliveries, England
recorded their highest total in the World Cup of 397 for six. Archer was once
again relentless. Noor Ali Zadran played him on to the stumps for a duck. He
castled top scorer Hashmatullah Shahidi (76). Finally he had Rashid Khan caught
in the covers. Afghanistan finished on 247 for eight. Archer captured three for
52 in 10 overs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-GB">Archer once again made an early
breakthrough, getting the Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne to edge to
Buttler behind the sticks. Later, he deceived Dhananjaya de Silva with a slower
one and had him caught at mid-on. In his next over, he had Thisara Perera
caught at third-man with a short one. Sri Lanka posted 232 for nine. Archer
again had an analysis of three for 52 in 10 overs. England made heavy weather
of the chase, and despite Ben Stokes’ unbeaten 82, lost by 20 runs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-GB">The Australian openers Aaron Finch
and David Warner put on a century stand. Archer picked up centurion Finch,
caught hooking at fine-leg. That was his solitary wicket, conceding 56 runs in
9 overs. Australia posted 285 for seven. Once again, Ben Stokes played a heroic
innings of 89, but England were bowled out for 221.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-GB">The English batsmen made amends by
putting up 337 for seven on the board off the Indian bowling. It was a spirited
chase by their batsmen with Rohit Sharma hitting his third hundred of the
tournament and Virat Kohli his fifth successive half-century. They denied
Archer a wicket as he expended 45 runs in 10 overs. But India finished 31 runs
short of the English score.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-GB">With openers Jason Roy and Jonny
Bairstow continuing their great form, England logged up 305 for eight against
New Zealand. After Chris Woakes had dismissed Henry Nicholls, Martin Guptill
glanced Archer, and Buttler took a brilliant catch. New Zealand were struggling
at 14 for two after 5.2 overs. They eventually folded up for 186. Archer had a
return of one for 17 off 7 overs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-GB">Archer struck a stunning blow in the
semi-final, trapping Finch leg-before first-ball, bringing it in sharply. With
Glenn Maxwell on the attack, Archer had him caught in the covers with a slower
one. Australia were dismissed for 223. Archer gave away 32 runs for his two
wickets in 10 overs. England coasted to an eight-wicket triumph.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-GB">In the dramatic final, Archer knocked
off the furniture of last-man Matt Henry. New Zealand ended on 241 for eight.
This wicket cost Archer 42 runs in 10 overs. England were also bowled out for
241 off the last ball of their 50<sup>th</sup> over. Defending 15 runs in the
Super Over, Archer conceded the same number. The Super Over was also tied.
England won the title on higher boundary count.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-GB">Archer
played a vital part in England’s victory trail of 2019. He was their highest
wicket-taker with 20 scalps at 23.05 apiece and an economy-rate of 4.57. He had
5 three-wicket hauls, four of them in a row. Whenever in need of a
breakthrough, his side turned to him, and more often than not he delivered.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhJEGVL60Kvk4no6_8A8LJeBz7LNo5DKHCquDnGDTuH-MwSh8R_pf6U02xIoGAYWN3wu7qTzz7nvtMgSqebd_7caf-46J7NmXWYw9x-II4NkSzpAMauW8_OPTg5ubhhnfEfOlUWx3_XyfY4LKCJO9NbdRQsGABFYPzgV2ExUnFrXNqi73bWMXguuNfslQ/s1600/Hat-trick%20front%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1187" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhJEGVL60Kvk4no6_8A8LJeBz7LNo5DKHCquDnGDTuH-MwSh8R_pf6U02xIoGAYWN3wu7qTzz7nvtMgSqebd_7caf-46J7NmXWYw9x-II4NkSzpAMauW8_OPTg5ubhhnfEfOlUWx3_XyfY4LKCJO9NbdRQsGABFYPzgV2ExUnFrXNqi73bWMXguuNfslQ/w148-h200/Hat-trick%20front%20cover.jpg" width="148" /></a></div><br /><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span><p></p></span></span></div>Indra Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800239858093978514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874360532152770138.post-28497502273258489252023-10-21T02:52:00.000-07:002023-10-21T02:52:21.345-07:00Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s book ‘Cricket World Cup - Hat-trick of Home Wins’. Hall of Fame: Shikhar Dhawan<p style="text-align: center;"> <b style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Belligerent
and jovial southpaw opener</span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_Ws9rRDs05c1O9u3R0jWU883w4KzlyZS3xyFv6COlVYgCGllTxcPldTUhkbdX2Xn2nSCWNpYydmnLOdp5OAC1Ski4DIB7OT52kY_1nh_t5dh4-lofO2w3faSE78K4kKCJClAnF-OfhQBmOFdwqCpHt-3Q_jRL5WcWve4KLgcNM1Oenf51U8sxeThEOfC/s421/Shikhar%20Dhawan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="421" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_Ws9rRDs05c1O9u3R0jWU883w4KzlyZS3xyFv6COlVYgCGllTxcPldTUhkbdX2Xn2nSCWNpYydmnLOdp5OAC1Ski4DIB7OT52kY_1nh_t5dh4-lofO2w3faSE78K4kKCJClAnF-OfhQBmOFdwqCpHt-3Q_jRL5WcWve4KLgcNM1Oenf51U8sxeThEOfC/w400-h380/Shikhar%20Dhawan.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How
much India missed Shikhar Dhawan in the 2019 semi-final, we will never know,
had injury not forced him out of the tournament after a brilliant century.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BATTING: Matches 10, Innings 10,
Not Out -, Highest Score 137, Runs 537, Average 53.70, Strike-rate 94.21, 100s 3,
50s 1, Catches 7</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Shikhar Dhawan
has been Rohit Sharma’s long-time opening partner in One-day Internationals. A
study in contrast, they complement each other well. Apart from the obvious
left-right combination, while one is belligerent and forthright, the other has
a silken touch and is seemingly laidback. Ever ready to break into a smile, the
slap on the thigh after taking a catch has become as much of a hallmark as the
salute by Sheldon Cottrell after taking a wicket. There is always a sense of
fun when Dhawan is around, and he can score serious runs too.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Walking out with
Rohit, facing Pakistan on World Cup debut in 2015, it was a quiet start. The
partnership did not go further than 34 off 7.3 overs. Rohit fell for 15. There
was steady progress with the arrival of Virat Kohli, the fifty of the
partnership coming up in 10.1 overs. With the increase in tempo, Dhawan went to
his half-century off 54 deliveries. The century of the stand was raised in 18.3
overs. Unfortunately, Dhawan was run out. His splendid 73 had come off 76
balls, having struck a six and 7 fours. The partnership yielded 129 runs in
22.2 overs. There was another century stand between Kohli (107) and Suresh
Raina (74). India scored a round 300 for the loss of seven wickets. Pakistan
were slow to begin with, then lost quick wickets, and were finally all out for
224.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It was Rohit’s
turn to be run out and that, tragically, for a duck as A.B. de Villiers’ throw
from the covers hit the stumps. It was again Kohli in tandem with Dhawan.
Gradually, they picked up momentum in the face of steady bowling by the
Proteas. The fifty of the partnership was posted in 11.5 overs. Dhawan raised
his half-century off 70 balls. Dhawan struck Wayne Parnell for two consecutive
fours bringing up the century stand in 20.3 overs, a successive one between the
pair. Kohli pulled a short one from Imran Tahir into the hands of mid-wicket.
His 46 had come off 60 deliveries with the aid of three boundaries. The
partnership had realised 127 runs in 24.2 overs. As the new man Ajinkya Rahane
got into his stride, Dhawan glided Parnell to the ropes at point to raise his
maiden World Cup hundred off 122 balls. Soon the fifty of the partnership was
up in 8.1 overs. With runs flowing freely, the century stand in 13.4 overs and
Rahane’s half-century off just 40 deliveries came off successive balls. Dhawan
was caught at long-leg off Parnell. His 137 was the highest score against South
Africa in the World Cup, spanning 146 balls and studded with 2 sixes and 14
fours. It was a 125-run association from 16.3 overs. Rahane scored 79, having
faced 60 balls and struck 3 sixes and 7 fours. India, this time, posted 307 for
seven. South Africa did not put up much resistance, being bowled out for 177.
Dhawan bagged the man-of-the-match prize.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">India trounced
United Arab Republic by nine wickets but Dhawan was caught at backward-point
for 14.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Both Dhawan (9)
and Rohit (7) fell early as India made heavy weather of a target of 183 set by
the West Indies. They eventually pulled off a six-wicket win.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They were both
due for runs, and they duly got them. Ireland scored 259 runs, being bowled out
in 49 overs. India’s batting was brilliant. The fifty was registered off 8.2
overs. The century was raised in 14.1 overs. Dhawan was first to his fifty off
54 balls. Rohit hoisted his half-century in style, having faced 49 deliveries.
The 150 was up off 20.1 overs. Dhawan was speeding away. Rohit, though, played
on to his stumps. His 64 came off 66 balls, having hit 3 sixes and 3 fours. The
partnership realised 174 runs, record for India for the first wicket in the
World Cup. Dhawan breezed to his century from just 84 deliveries. But he was
caught in the covers off the very next ball that he faced, having blasted 5
sixes and 11 fours. Kohli (44 not out) and Rahane (33 not out) carried India to
an eight-wicket victory off only 36.5 overs with an unbroken stand of 70.
Dhawan won another man-of-the-match award.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A superb century
by skipper Brendan Taylor, a consecutive one to boot, enabled Zimbabwe to post
a challenging total of 287. India lost four wickets for 92 in 22.4 overs,
including Rohit (16) and Dhawan (4), both to Tinashe Panyangara. But a
tremendous unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 196 in 26 overs between Suresh
Raina (110 not out) and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (85 not out) carried India
to a four-wicket triumph with 8 balls to spare. It was India’s highest partnership
in a run-chase, bettering the 174-run stand between Dhawan and Rohit against
Ireland in the previous match. India’s score of 288 was their highest batting
second in the World Cup, and they joined New Zealand as the only teams to win
all their six pool matches.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Boundaries came
regularly at the start in the quarter-final face-off with Bangladesh. Rohit and
Dhawan raised the fifty in 9.3 overs. They were cantering along when Dhawan
stepped out at the sight of Shakib Al Hasan, was deceived in the air and stumped
by Mushfiqur Rahim. His 30 had come off 50 balls with the aid of 3 fours. The
partnership had realised 75 runs in 16.3 overs. The platform had been built.
Rohit went on to score a brilliant 137 (126 balls, 3 sixes, 14 fours). His
fourth-wicket stand of 122 in 15.5 overs with Suresh Raina spurred India to a
formidable total of 302 for six. Bangladesh were hardly in the picture with a
series of cameos and finally folded up for 193.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A superb century
by Steve Smith and his defining 182-run second-wicket partnership with Aaron
Finch seized the initiative for Australia. A total of 328 for seven assumes
gigantic proportions in a World Cup knock-out encounter. As long as Rohit and
Dhawan were together, it looked as though they were making a fight of it. After
a cautious start, they picked up pace. They raised the fifty off 9.5 overs. It
was all going well, and it all went wrong! Dhawan was caught in the covers off
Josh Hazlewood. His 45 was scored off 41 balls with the aid of a six and 6
fours. The stand was worth 76 in 12.5 overs. Wickets began tumbling, Kohli for
1, Rohit for 34, Raina for 7. In the blink of an eye, India were 108 for four
in 23 overs. Rahane (44) and Dhoni (65) did put on 70 in 13.2 overs but the
momentum had been lost, and too many wickets had fallen. India folded up for
233. A golden streak of 11 consecutive World Cup wins had ended.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It was a fine
tournament for Dhawan. He became the fourth Indian to score 400-plus runs in a
single World Cup, the others being Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul
Dravid. His 412 runs in 8 matches came at an average of 51.50, and strike-rate
of 91.75, with 2 centuries and a half-century.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It was a fine
start for India in 2019, restricting South Africa to 227 for nine. Dhawan,
though, was caught behind off Kagiso Rabada for 8. Rohit went on to score a
splendid 122 (144 balls, 2 sixes, 13 fours), and India sailed to a six-wicket
triumph.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Batting first
against Australia, Rohit and Dhawan were off to a steady start. A boundary each
off Adam Zampa took the score past 50 in 11.3 overs. The boundaries kept
coming. Dhawan raised his fifty off 53 balls. The hundred of the innings was up
in 19 overs. Rohit was caught at the wicket off Coulter-Nile for 57, having
faced 70 balls and hit a six and 3 fours. The partnership had realised 127 runs
in 22.3 overs. Joined by Kohli, Dhawan blazed on. The fifty of their stand
arrived in 8.3 overs. Dhawan raised his hundred from 94 balls. Trying to hit
Mitchell Starc over mid-wicket, he was caught near the ropes. It was a fine 117,
spanning 109 deliveries and studded with 16 boundaries. The stand fell short of
100 by just 7 runs, having lasted 14.3 overs. Kohli scored 82, and India piled
up 352 for five. It was a tall task, the Aussies were in hot pursuit but
produced no really big innings. They finished on 316.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Just
as India were celebrating a glorious win over the reigning champions, and
complimenting Dhawan for his terrific century, came the sobering news that he
had injured his thumb during that innings, and was ruled out of the rest of the
tournament. Sachin Tendulkar tweeted, “Feel for you Shikhar. You were playing
well & to be injured in the middle of such an important tournament is
heartbreaking. I’m sure you’ll come back stronger than ever.” How much his
injury affected India’s chances, we will never know. Maybe his presence in the
semi-final might have helped, but that broad smile was certainly missed. Dhawan
has 537 runs in his 10-match stint in the World Cup with an average of 53.70
and strike-rate of 94.21 runs per 100 balls, with 3 hundreds and a fifty. The
combination of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma provided many a memorable moment
at the top of the order.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFNtDIAxGoQUhx2EtnRjuodf3ZFe087ZOoaY620l256YuOpjtlOo0vrUHsli6HEa9tdusxPRIVyTZnw0rGZPCpGkdllYyVCtWUglUraj85aMXbOc2B6sMHotEyXPWttQHPSO6v1oaESYRFvySUR98svJSZzAmkUpFyEGYv4z078q2-Ph0lobkAU3vo7j8/s1600/Hat-trick%20front%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1187" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFNtDIAxGoQUhx2EtnRjuodf3ZFe087ZOoaY620l256YuOpjtlOo0vrUHsli6HEa9tdusxPRIVyTZnw0rGZPCpGkdllYyVCtWUglUraj85aMXbOc2B6sMHotEyXPWttQHPSO6v1oaESYRFvySUR98svJSZzAmkUpFyEGYv4z078q2-Ph0lobkAU3vo7j8/w148-h200/Hat-trick%20front%20cover.jpg" width="148" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><p></p></span></div>Indra Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800239858093978514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874360532152770138.post-45786626180751561392023-09-17T08:01:00.000-07:002023-09-17T08:01:35.521-07:00Festival gifting of a two-volume set of collector’s edition books on all the cricket World Cup tournaments from 1975 till date<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQoOVQNMjfemerd0lZhdbMLqfaL9Dc-3Gk7zsdS11XLHMPqD8I3Ts653CBhJYWXqypGKntruo95H-VSH0uVPQkAwgBqsPqlsTcqMaRVx-fLSBPEy5ceD9OjJF4stAHkC56G_lWKno8no1IsTszYEe-wRKfQ0yGDeI1bVAFneB4Ut_wbv8_EiEOz27AHFX/s2399/IMG_3030%20Sachin%20Tendulkar%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2399" data-original-width="1830" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQoOVQNMjfemerd0lZhdbMLqfaL9Dc-3Gk7zsdS11XLHMPqD8I3Ts653CBhJYWXqypGKntruo95H-VSH0uVPQkAwgBqsPqlsTcqMaRVx-fLSBPEy5ceD9OjJF4stAHkC56G_lWKno8no1IsTszYEe-wRKfQ0yGDeI1bVAFneB4Ut_wbv8_EiEOz27AHFX/s320/IMG_3030%20Sachin%20Tendulkar%20(2).JPG" width="244" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTuSFKJAqzMkwGFd821MZu_PS1WTKCXMmRkeLyYLvf-9ybw5YwsFs2KhurMkfjUShBhWtcE1J13KHxLVM195xXYdxwnuG1HMtNVfFkzTsqouY6U4hb7We1t6werwrtlUCS-ko6j0Babgj1poJcrldHlhWrisW2z7C7sHlzHFFZb61HOTqpwNxPZck3dQCp/s8256/2S5E7891%20Dhoni%20hitting%20final%20six.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8256" data-original-width="6672" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTuSFKJAqzMkwGFd821MZu_PS1WTKCXMmRkeLyYLvf-9ybw5YwsFs2KhurMkfjUShBhWtcE1J13KHxLVM195xXYdxwnuG1HMtNVfFkzTsqouY6U4hb7We1t6werwrtlUCS-ko6j0Babgj1poJcrldHlhWrisW2z7C7sHlzHFFZb61HOTqpwNxPZck3dQCp/s320/2S5E7891%20Dhoni%20hitting%20final%20six.JPG" width="259" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">With the festival season approaching in October and November, people are
on the lookout for a gift that is unique and classy. This year the cricket
World Cup is coinciding with the festivals of Dussehra and Diwali</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Would it not be a great idea to
present business associates, clients, relatives and friends a set of two
volumes of collector's edition books on all the cricket World Cup tournaments
from 1975 to 2019, with a preview of the World Cup 2023. You could present this
panorama of the One-day cricket World Cup along with your personalised bookmark
at a time when cricket frenzy will be at its height in India. The size of the
bookmark will be 2 inches x 5.8 inches with colour printing on both<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"> sides.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The details of the books are as
under: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Volume 1: Cricket World Cup Odyssey
1975-2007 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">(edition 2 of ‘The Big Book of World
Cup Cricket’ with some modifications) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Contents: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Section 1 - Cricket World Cup: A
Great Spectacle. This is a snapshot of each of the first nine tournaments
played all round the globe, including review, the commercial aspect,
sponsorship and prize money. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Section 2 - Classic Matches. 49 of
the most exciting matches. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Section 3 - Memorable Performances.
51 brilliant individual feats by different players in various matches. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Section 4 - Hall of Fame.
Match-by-match World Cup performances of 75 top players who appeared in these
nine tournaments, from Clive Lloyd to Sourav Ganguly, and also comprising
interviews with Cup-winning captains Kapil Dev, Steve Waugh and Ricky
Ponting. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Section 5 - Scorecards of all the 303
matches in World Cup 1975 to 2007. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Section 6 - Tailenders: sidelights,
lighter moments and trivia. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The piece-de-resistance is a
handwritten letter of Sir Donald Bradman received by the author in 1999. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">There will be around 225 photographs
from the world’s best photographers and agencies. It will be a book of about
424 pages, A-4 size, on art paper with hard cover and jacket. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Volume 2: Cricket World Cup Hat-trick
of Home Wins <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">India 2011 # Australia 2015 # England
2019 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Contents: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Section 1 - Cricket World Cup: A
Great Spectacle. This is a snapshot of each of the last three tournaments, all
won by the host nations India, Australia and England respectively, including
review, the commercial aspect, sponsorship and prize money, and a look ahead to
the World Cup 2023. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Section 2 - Classic Matches. 28 of
the most exciting matches. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Section 3 - Memorable Performances.
36 brilliant individual feats by different players in various matches. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Section 4 - Hall of Fame.
Match-by-match World Cup performances of 75 top players who appeared in these
three and earlier tournaments, from Sachin Tendulkar to Ben Stokes. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Section 5 - Statistics and Records of
all the 12 World Cup tournaments from 1975 to 2019. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Section 6 - Scorecards of all the 146
matches in World Cup 2011, 2015 and 2019. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Section 7 - Batting and Bowling
Averages, and Fielding Records, of all the 1147 players who appeared in the
World Cup from 1975 to 2019. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Section 8 - Tailenders: sidelights, lighter
moments and trivia. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">There will be around 150 photographs
from the world’s best photographers and agencies. It will be a book of about
516 pages, A-4 size, on art paper with hard cover and jacket. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">These books are available in batches
of 50 sets of two volumes. The cost of these is Rs. 4,375 per set, totalling
Rs. 2,18,750 (Rupees Two Lakhs Eighteen Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty) for 50
sets. <span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Cost of transportation of the books beyond Delhi-NCR will be
extra.</span></span></p><p>
<span style="background-color: #6aa84f; border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; padding: 0cm;">There are limited number of
sets available, so please hurry. If you are interested, please email me at
singh_iv@hotmail.com.</span></p>Indra Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800239858093978514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874360532152770138.post-28948634142394185742023-09-09T07:49:00.002-07:002023-09-09T07:49:28.785-07:00Road to the Cricket World Cup 2023. Hall of Fame: Rohit Sharma<p style="text-align: left;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Nonchalant strokeplay, record five hundreds in a single World Cup</span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9eUsIT0bbgc5-ruDYZXiY_-687l4-fB7qGP1PYe4XGGRvtU8-rBD-LNg-nmFacxQD9tLbUVfUpFKaWwXZeN0rEhEOGUB4D2E7z1Ayu3m5Y4yUy94lRezhSfTVxJa-SbLgj2SO7Fifm4IIPG2WWGga77N5nM2Iq4Oy3_721l1W8SBuDSN3xjYNqqxEDJtA/s2807/Rohit%20Sharma%20II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2055" data-original-width="2807" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9eUsIT0bbgc5-ruDYZXiY_-687l4-fB7qGP1PYe4XGGRvtU8-rBD-LNg-nmFacxQD9tLbUVfUpFKaWwXZeN0rEhEOGUB4D2E7z1Ayu3m5Y4yUy94lRezhSfTVxJa-SbLgj2SO7Fifm4IIPG2WWGga77N5nM2Iq4Oy3_721l1W8SBuDSN3xjYNqqxEDJtA/w400-h293/Rohit%20Sharma%20II.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div><p style="font-family: trebuchet; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: times;">ONE-DAY
WORLD CUP BATTING: Matches 17, Innings 17, Not Out 2, Highest Score 140, Runs 978,
Average 65.20, Strike-rate 95.97, 100s 6, 50s 3, Catches 7</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: 1.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times;">What does one say about a man who
scores three double centuries in One-day Internationals (ODIs) with a record
264, by a long way, to his name, and one who hits up five hundreds in a single
World Cup. Just ten double hundreds have been scored in over half a century of
ODIs, all since 2010, and no one else has managed more than one. Suddenly, in
2019 Rohit equalled Sachin Tendulkar’s record six hundreds in the World Cup.
There was always something special about Rohit. His sublime strokeplay, almost
casual, David Gower like, endeared him to everyone. His lofted pull became his
hallmark, earning him loads of sixes with the occasional dismissal. For what
seemed ages, his innate God-given abilities did not translate into results
expected of them. Then, like Tendulkar, he was given a spot at the top of the
order and he flowered. Still, someone with his flair and natural gifts was not
making headway at the Test level. Again, he was given the opener’s role, and he
was off the blocks. A hugely successful IPL captain, Rohit Sharma found his way
to the helm of the national side. He finally settled where he was always ordained. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: 1.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times;">His World Cup debut was the high
intensity contest with Pakistan. Rohit raised 34 with Shikhar Dhawan in 7.3
overs. But on 15 he attempted his favourite pull shot off Sohail Khan; this
time he miscued and the ball went sailing into the hands of mid-off. Virat
Kohli (107) was associated in two century stands with Dhawan (73) and Suresh
Raina (74). India set up a challenging 300 for seven. Pakistan were not up to
it, and folded up for 224.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: 1.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times;">Disaster struck as Rohit was run
out for a duck by a direct hit from A.B. de Villiers. This time Dhawan (137)
conjured hundred partnerships with Kohli (46) and Ajinkya Rahane (79). India
hit up 377. South Africa could muster only 177.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: 1.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times;">There was no challenge from the
United Arab Emirates. They collapsed to 102 all out. After the early departure
of Dhawan, Rohit and Kohli brought up victory with an unbroken stand of 75.
Rohit was on the attack. They raised the half-century of the partnership in 8.2
overs. Rohit got to his maiden World Cup fifty in 48 balls. They cruised on,
and finally Rohit clubbed a four to reach the target in 18.5 overs. He returned
with 57 runs to his name off 55 deliveries, having struck a six and 10 fours.
Kohli scored 33 in 41 balls with five boundaries.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: 1.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span lang="EN-US">Had it not been for skipper Jason Holder’s 57 at no. 9, West Indies
would have been in far worse plight than they eventually were.</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US">Coming in
at 85 for seven, he was last out with his side’s total on 182. But their
bowlers hit back. Rohit was caught at the wicket, trying to drive, with his score
on just 7. Wickets fell regularly, and at one stage they found themselves at
134 for six. An unbroken half-century stand between skipper Mahendra Singh
Dhoni and Ravichandran Ashwin saw them home.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: 1.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span lang="EN-US">Ireland did well to post 259. But the Indian openers made light of
it. Rohit and Dhawan took turns in hitting boundaries. The fifty of the stand
came in the 9<sup>th</sup> over. They accelerated, the century partnership
being registered in 14.1 overs. Dhawan reached his fifty from 54 balls. Rohit
raised his own half-century off 49 deliveries with a six high over covers. With
more fireworks, the 150 was on the board in just 20.1 overs. Dhawan was racing
away; Rohit, though, played on to his stumps. His 64 came off 66 balls with the
aid of 3 sixes and 3 fours. The </span><span lang="EN-US">stand realised 174 runs, the highest for India for the first wicket in
the World Cup, in only 23.2 overs. Shikhar Dhawan brought up his hundred off
just 84 balls. He was caught in the covers off the very next delivery that he
faced, having slammed 5 sixes and 11 fours. Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane carried
India to victory with an unbroken stand of 70.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: 1.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span lang="EN-US">A tremendous hundred by skipper
Brendan Taylor (138 runs, 110 balls) and his fifth-wicket century partnership
with Craig Ervine were instrumental in Zimbabwe posting a total of 287. </span><span lang="EN-US">India slumped to 92 for four in 22.4 overs,</span><span lang="EN-US"> Rohit being caught in the covers for 16. </span><span lang="EN-US">Then came a superb unbroken stand of 196 in 26 overs between Suresh
Raina (110 not out, 104 balls) and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (85 not out, 76
balls). They took India home with 8 deliveries to spare. </span><span lang="EN-US">India joined New Zealand as the
only teams to win all their six pool matches.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: 1.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times;">The silken touch of Rohit Sharma
was in full evidence in the quarter-final as they took on Bangladesh. He drove
the first ball of the match from Mashrafe Mortaza to the cover-point fence.
With both he and Dhawan finding the boundary regularly, the fifty came up in
9.3 overs. Dhawan was stumped for 30. The partnership yielded 75 runs off 16.3
overs. Rohit got to his half-century off 70 deliveries. Suresh Raina joined
forces for the fourth-wicket. He raised the fifty of the stand in style,
lofting Shakib Al Hasan over long-on for a six. It came off 8.1 overs. Rohit
was cruising serenely, the singles interrupted by the intermittent boundary.
Raina reached his half-century in 46 balls. In the same over, the hundred of
the partnership was posted off only 13 overs. Soon, Rohit raised his century,
his first in the World Cup, from 108 deliveries. Raina hit out at Mashrafe, but
the ball gained only height, no distance, and when it came down, it settled in
Mushfiqur Rahim’s gloves. His 65 had come off 57 balls, studded with a six and
7 fours. It was a splendid 122-run stand that spanned 15.5 overs. Rohit raised
the tempo. He finally edged on to the stumps. It was a delightful innings, 137
runs from 126 balls, embellished with 3 sixes and 14 fours. India hoisted 302
for six. Bangladesh did not offer much resistance, being bowled out for 193. Rohit
was man-of-the-match. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: 1.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span lang="EN-US">Australia posted a daunting 328
for seven in the semi-final, courtesy </span><span lang="EN-US">Steve Smith’s
brilliant century and his 182-run second-wicket partnership with Aaron Finch.
Rohit and Dhawan began steadily, and then raised the tempo. That brought up the
fifty in 9.5 overs. Just as it seemed that India’s innings had taken off well,
Dhawan was caught in the covers off Josh Hazlewood. His 45 had come off 41
balls with the aid of a six and 6 fours. Kohli fell for 1. Then Rohit pulled
Johnson for a six. Johnson pitched the next one up and brought it in sharply.
Rohit edged it on to the stumps. He was gone for 34, having faced 48 deliveries
and hit 2 sixes and a four. From then on, India were fading despite a 70-run
stand between Rahane and Dhoni. The reigning champions were all out for 233,
bowing out of the tournament.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: 1.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times;">Without being brilliant, it was a
successful foray in the World Cup by Rohit. He hit a characteristically sublime
century in the quarter-final and a couple of other fifties. His 330 runs in 8
matches came at an average of 47.14 and strike-rate of 91.66. It was another
impressive chapter in the opening duet with Dhawan.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: 1.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times;">Rohit was in an entirely different
zone in the 2019 tournament. South Africa continued to struggle in this event
and were able to put up just 227 for nine. While Rohit played a resolute knock,
there were only cameos at the other end. Dhawan was caught behind early off
Kagiso Rabada. Rohit was in full flow but Kohli too parted ways after a brief
stay. K.L. Rahul dug in. Rohit raised his half-century from 70 deliveries. He
was now in control. Soon they brought up the fifty of the stand in 10.5 overs.
Rahul holed out at mid-off off Rabada for 26. The partnership was worth 85 in
16 overs. With Dhoni having joined in, Rohit hoisted his hundred off 128 balls.
The half-century of the partnership arrived in 11.2 overs. Dhoni left after
scoring 34, the fourth-wicket stand yielding 74 runs from 14.4 overs. Victory
was ushered in the company of a trigger-happy Hardik Pandya. Man-of-the-match
Rohit was unbeaten with 122, having been at the crease for 144 deliveries and
fired 2 sixes and 13 fours. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: 1.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span lang="EN-US">It was a superb showing by India
in the face-off with the holders, Australia. Rohit and Dhawan were off to a
cautious start before the latter broke free. They raised the half-century in
11.3 overs. Dhawan went to his own fifty off 53 balls. The hundred partnership
was posted in 19 overs. A square-cut to the fence took Rohit to his
half-century from 61 deliveries. He nicked one from Coulter-Nile that took off
and was caught at the wicket by Alex Carey. Hit 57 occupied 70 balls and
comprised a six and 3 fours. </span><span lang="EN-US">It was a splendid stand of
127 runs in 22.3 overs. Dhawan went on to hit up 117 (109 balls, 16 fours).
India piled up 352 for five. There were a number of fine knocks from the
Aussies but no really big one. The target was far too huge, and they were all
out for 316 off the last delivery of the innings.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: 1.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times;">The match with New Zealand was washed out. After the massive
build-up, the face-off with Pakistan was a tame affair. Dhawan’s fine century
against Australia turned into a bitter-sweet one. During that knock he suffered
a thumb injury, which unfortunately put him out of the tournament. It was K.L.
Rahul who now opened with Rohit. The fifty came up in 10 overs. Rohit darted to
his own half-century off 34 deliveries. The hundred was raised from 17.3 overs.
Rahul brought up his fifty in 69 balls. As they were pressing on, Rahul was
caught in the covers. His 57 occupied 78 deliveries, hitting 2 sixes and 3
fours. The partnership of 136 runs in 23.5 overs had set up the match nicely
for India. Joined by Kohli, Rohit hoisted his century off 85 deliveries. The
fifty of the partnership arrived in 8 overs. Rohit was caught at short fine-leg
off Hasan Ali for 140. His superb innings spanned 113 balls, embellished with 3
sixes and 14 fours. The stand was worth 98 in 14.3 overs. Kohli scored 77 (65
balls, 7 fours) as India logged up 336 for five. With rain playing a part,
Pakistan’s target was 302 from 40 overs. All they could manage was 212 for six.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: 1.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times;">Rohit was bowled by Mujeeb Ur Rahman for just 1, as Afghanistan
restricted India to 224 for eight. Afghanistan were dismissed for 213, with
Mohammed Shami taking a hat-trick.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: 1.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times;">Kemar Roach brought one in, which took a fine inside-edge of Rohit’s
bat on the way to Shai Hope. This time he scored 18. India posted 268. West
Indies crumbled to 143 all out.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: 1.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: times;">Hosts England put up a formidable 337 for seven. India’s task became
difficult with Rahul dismissed without scoring. Kohli, though, was an able
ally. The progress was slow, considering the task before them. The half-century
of the partnership took 13.5 overs. Kohli was first to his fifty, having faced
59 deliveries. Rohit got to his half-century in 65 balls. The hundred
partnership arrived 20.4 overs. The two matched each other stroke-for-stroke.
Kohli was caught at backward point. His 66 came off 76 balls with the aid of 7
fours. With Rishabh Pant for company, Rohit raised his third century of the
tournament, having taken on 106 deliveries. But after facing three more balls,
he was caught behind by Jos Buttler off Chris Woakes for 102, having carved out
15 boundaries. There were rapid-fire cameos from Pant, Hardik Pandya and Dhoni,
but India could get only as far as 306 for five, a fine effort but in
vain. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: 1.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span lang="EN-US">If evidence were required that Rohit was in supreme form, it came in
the first over of the encounter with Bangladesh. He pulled Mashrafe Mortaza for
a six beyond square-leg. Rahul too was stroking well. They raised the fifty in
8.2 overs. In the following over, both took turns in hammering boundaries off
Mortaza. Rohit soon breezed to his half-century from 45 deliveries. The hundred
came up in 17.2 overs. A straight six by Rohit posted the 150 off 23.1 overs.
Crashing Shakib through the off-side to the pickets, Rohit went to</span><span lang="EN-US"> his fourth hundred in this World
Cup, emulating Kumar Sangakkara’s feat of 2015. He had faced 90 deliveries. It
was a consecutive ton, following his 102 against England. Soon, he was caught
in the covers, his 104 composed of 5 sixes and 7 fours. The 180-run partnership
spanned 29.2 overs. Rahul scored 77 (92 balls, 1 six, 6 fours). India hit up
314 for nine. There was a spirited chase by Bangladesh but they were all out
for 286. Rohit won the man-of-the-match award.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: 1.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span lang="EN-US">A fine partnership of 124 runs for
the fifth wicket between Angelo Mathews (113) and Lahiru Thirimanne (53)
enabled Sri Lanka to score 264 for seven. Rohit and Rahul seemed inseparable.
The half-century was posted in a matter of 6.5 overs. The first of two sixes
took Rohit past fifty off 48 deliveries. The hundred of the innings was up in
18.1 overs. Rahul brought up his half-century in 67 balls. The 150 was reached
in 24.4 overs. Rohit hoisted an unprecedented fifth century in a World Cup,
being at the crease for 92 deliveries. It was his third successive hundred, and
it equalled Sachin Tendulkar’s record six tons in all the World Cup tournaments
put together. It was a tremendous show by Rohit Sharma, to the jubilation of his
teammates and the Indian supporters. He was out soon, driving into the hands of
mid-off. His 103 spanned 94 balls, punctuated by 2 sixes and 14 fours. The
partnership yielded 189 runs in 30.1 overs. Rahul went on to score 111 (118
balls, 1 six, 11 fours; India cantered to a seven-wicket victory. Rohit </span><span lang="EN-US">bagged a c</span><span lang="EN-US">onsecutive
man-of-the-match </span><span lang="EN-US">prize, fourth in this World Cup,
equalling the feats of Aravinda de Silva in 1996, Lance Klusener in 1999 and
Yuvraj Singh in 2011. India topped the ten-team table, edging reigning
champions Australia to second place.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: times;">New Zealand posted 239 for eight in the
semi-final. India’s fond hopes were dashed by the Kiwi pacemen. Rohit, Kohli
and Rahul were dismissed for 1 run each by Matt Henry and Trent Boult. The
stunned silence in the dressing room turned into dismay as India found
themselves six down in 30.3 overs. There was a fighting partnership of 116 runs
in 17.2 overs for the seventh wicket between Mahendra Singh Dhoni (50 off 72
balls) and Ravindra Jadeja (77 off 59 balls) but there was just too much to do
from the precarious position they had found themselves in. India were bowled
out for 221, bowing out of the World Cup in the semi-final for the second time
in a row. “We failed to deliver as a team when it mattered, 30 minutes of poor
cricket yesterday & that snatched away our chance for the cup,” tweeted a
dejected Rohit.</span></span></p>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 106%;"><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 106%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Personally, it was a
superb tournament for Rohit Sharma. His aggregate of 648 runs was the highest,
averaging 81 in 9 matches at a strike-rate of 98.33. The record five hundreds,
four man-of-the-match awards, and rousing opening partnerships with Dhawan and
Rahul made it a memorable event for him. Rohit is just 22 runs short of the
1,000 runs mark in the premier tournament, having played 17 matches, averaging
65.20 at 95.97 runs per 100 balls, and holding the joint record of six
centuries. Now at the helm of the Indian team, there is much to look forward to
for Rohit Sharma when the World Cup is contested at home in 2023.</div></span></span><div><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 106%;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 106%;"><span style="font-family: times;">(<i>Excerpt
from Indra Vikram Singh’s forthcoming book ‘Cricket World Cup: Hat-trick
of Home Wins’</i>).</span></span></div>Indra Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800239858093978514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874360532152770138.post-18536247616338850082023-08-07T07:24:00.000-07:002023-08-07T07:24:04.832-07:00Road to the Cricket World Cup 2023. Hall of Fame: Kane Williamson<p style="text-align: center;"> <b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Quiet
and classy, one of New Zealand’s greats</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2hUJ52b0g-myIUQQRZ4xjqKEaYe9Xy_BTIkVNLMR06aTsySqTWuRxY2-UskQFAKh8haX9ob2C6y-6jtm_UYIVTWrdV1LrII_uA1Nq04K-uChs9hdm2ppFGsIX6gNsztiFN1WJP2xQaFdV77OUSXm7d-BZwzZ7Ttk9ne68qmZmyN1gXQAGHKIXbWF4gmm/s785/Kane%20Williamson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="785" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2hUJ52b0g-myIUQQRZ4xjqKEaYe9Xy_BTIkVNLMR06aTsySqTWuRxY2-UskQFAKh8haX9ob2C6y-6jtm_UYIVTWrdV1LrII_uA1Nq04K-uChs9hdm2ppFGsIX6gNsztiFN1WJP2xQaFdV77OUSXm7d-BZwzZ7Ttk9ne68qmZmyN1gXQAGHKIXbWF4gmm/w400-h340/Kane%20Williamson.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Player-of-the-tournament
in the 2019 World Cup, skipper Kane Williamson’s valiant New Zealand team was
runner-up in a photo finish.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BATTING: Matches 23, Innings
22, Not Out 6, Highest Score 148, Runs 911, Average 56.93, Strike-rate 78.33, 100s
2, 50s 3, Catches 9</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Calm, under-stated,
dignified, arguably the greatest New Zealand batsman ahead of the likes of
Martin Crowe, Stephen Fleming and Bert Sutcliffe, Kane Williamson is one of the
contemporary greats. Impressive as they are, mere statistics do not do complete
justice to his technically correct batsmanship bereft of histrionics. In a
sense he is a throwback to an era long gone, though in a modern avatar.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Still not 21
years old in the 2011 World Cup, Williamson appeared late in the tournament,
coming in at no. 6 against lowly-rated Canada. He put on 59 for the sixth
wicket with Scott Styris in 5.5 overs, and an unbroken 40 in just two overs with
a belligerent James Franklin. Williamson was unbeaten with 34 off 27 deliveries
with four boundaries. New Zealand piled up 358 for six. Canada gave a good
account of themselves, finishing on 261 for nine.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sri Lanka posted
a formidable 265 for nine. The wily Muttiah Muralitharan beat Williamson off a
straighter one and had him stumped by Kumar Sangakkara for 5. The Kiwis packed
up for 153.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There was course
correction in the quarter-final against the Proteas, Williamson added 32 for
the sixth wicket with Nathan McCullum in 6.4 overs, and returned with 38 not
out to his name, having squared up to 41 deliveries and hit a six and a four.
New Zealand totalled 221 for eight but all that South Africa could manage was
172.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Lankans were
too good once again in the semi-final. New Zealand could only muster 217.
Williamson hit up 22 off 16 balls punctuated with 3 fours in a 31-run stand
with Styris in 4.2 overs. Sri Lanka won by five wickets with 13 deliveries to
spare.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Williamson’s 99
runs in four matches came at an average of 49.50 with a strike-rate of 107.60.
There was not much else a youngster could do batting at four down.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The opportunity
of redemption in the premier event came very quickly, in the opening fixture of
the very next edition, on home soil of Christchurch, in 2015. Martin Guptill
and Brendon McCullum carted the Sri Lankan attack to all parts of Hagley Oval,
raising 111 in 15.5 overs. Now batting at no. 3, Williamson added 57 for the
third wicket with Ross Taylor in 11.1 overs. Having cruised steadily,
Williamson stepped on the accelerator. He brought up his fifty off 59
deliveries. He was brilliantly caught by Dimuth Karunaratne in the long-on
region off Jeevan Mendis for 57, having faced 70 balls, embellished with a six
and five boundaries. New Zealand hoisted 331 for six. Sri Lanka could manage
just 233.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Kiwis
struggled to overhaul a modest Scottish total of 142. Williamson was joined by
Grant Elliott at 66 for three. They put on 40 in 7.1 overs before Williamson
was caught behind off the inner edge. His 38 came off 45 deliveries, having
struck six boundaries. Wickets continued to tumble, and New Zealand were able
to clinch victory by just three wickets.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There was an easy
win as Tim Southee ran through the English line-up with a haul of seven for 33,
the third-best figures in the World Cup. England capsized for 123. There was
not much left for others after scintillating hitting by skipper Brendon
McCullum. He smashed the fastest fifty in the World Cup off just 18 balls, and
third fastest ever in One-day Internationals. His 77 off 25 deliveries
contained 7 sixes and 8 fours. Williamson was unbeaten on 9 as New Zealand
coasted to an eight-wicket win.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Aussies too
could put up just 151, this time Trent Boult bagging five for 27. McCullum played
another blistering innings, racing to his fifty off just 21 balls, the joint
third-fastest in the showpiece event. Williamson put on 38 in 3.5 overs for the
second wicket with McCullum, and 52 in 11.2 overs for the fifth wicket with
Corey Anderson. As Williamson stood steadfast, wickets tumbled at the other end,
Mitchell Starc ripping out six for 28. With six runs still remaining, last man
Trent Boult had the unenviable task of staving off a hat-trick by Starc. He saw
off two deliveries. Immediately soothing frayed nerves, Williamson slammed Pat
Cummins for a six over long-on. He emerged on top in a high-tension battle,
returning unconquered with 45, having taken on 42 deliveries and struck 5 fours
in addition to the winning six. It was a dramatic one-wicket win, the sixth such
instance in the World Cup.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Chasing
Afghanistan’s 186, McCullum was once again on the rampage. He blasted 42 off 19
deliveries. Williamson then got together in a 58-run partnership in 12.5 overs
for the second wicket with Guptill. Williamson was caught at mid-wicket for 33
off 45 balls, having stroked four boundaries. New Zealand carved out a
six-wicket victory.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The last pool
match brought Williamson his first failure of the tournament. After Bangladesh
had hoisted a formidable 288 for seven, Shakib Al Hasan snared him for just 1, dismissed
for a single-digit score for the first time in 24 innings in One-day
Internationals. Spurred by a century by Guptill, New Zealand pulled off a
three-wicket triumph with seven balls to spare. They had won all their six pool
matches.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The quarter-final
against the West Indies was dominated by Guptill’s astonishing unbeaten 237,
the highest score in the World Cup. He and Williamson put on 62 in 11.4 overs
for the second wicket. Williamson was caught in the covers for 33, having
squared up to 35 balls and hit five boundaries. There was a huge 143-run win
for New Zealand.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In a high-scoring
rain-interrupted semi-final, New Zealand edged out South Africa with just one
ball remaining, entering their first World Cup final. Williamson, though,
played on to his stumps for just 6.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The final was a
one-sided affair, Australia cruising to a seven-wicket triumph. Williamson was
caught and bowled for just 12.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After a consistent
run through most of the tournament, though bereft of tall scores, Williamson
had a lean trot towards the end. His 234 runs in 9 matches came at an average
of 33.42 and strike-rate of 78. It may not have been a brilliant performance
but he played a vital role at no. 3 after the histrionics of McCullum and the
prolific shows of Guptill.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The opening
face-off in 2019 was again with Sri Lanka, and once more the Kiwis trounced
them, this time by 10 wickets.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now at the helm,
Williamson steered his team to a narrow two-wicket win over a spirited
Bangladesh side. Facing a target of 245, Williamson allied with Ross Taylor (82
runs, 91 balls, 9 fours) in a 105-run third-wicket stand in 21.1 overs. After
Williamson departed for a painstaking 42, complied in 72 deliveries with just
one boundary, there was a steady fall of wickets as New Zealand trudged home
with 17 deliveries to spare.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There were no
surprises from the Afghans who were bowled out for 172. Williamson was in early
as Guptill was dismissed first ball. He saw his side to an easy seven-wicket
victory, aided by useful stands with Colin Munro, Ross Taylor and Tom Latham. Williamson’s
unbeaten 79 came off 99 balls studded with 9 fours.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">With the game
against India washed out, New Zealand edged out South Africa in a rain-hit
match by four wickets with just three deliveries remaining. Chasing South
Africa’s 241 for six in the allotted 49 overs, Williamson played a stellar
knock. He added 60 with Guptill in 12.5 overs. Having given himself time to
settle in, Williamson raised his fifty off 72 deliveries. There was a 57-run
fifth-wicket stand in 14.1 overs with James Neesham, and another for the next
wicket with a belligerent Colin de Grandhomme yielding 91 runs in 14.5 overs. With
5 balls remaining, and Williamson on 96 with 7 runs still required, he slammed
Andile Phehlukwayo high over mid-wicket for a six. He then dabbed the next to
the backward point boundary. It was a classy display, his 106 spanning 138
deliveries embellished with nine boundaries in addition to the six. There was
no other contender for the man-of-the-match award.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The masterclass
continued as Williamson crafted a superb 148 off the Caribbean attack. New
Zealand lurched with Guptill bagging another first-ball duck, and Munro also
dismissed for nought, by Sheldon Cottrell in the first over. Williamson
resurrected the innings with Ross Taylor. The duo put on 160 in 33.4 overs,
matching each other run for run, bringing up their half-centuries within a
delivery of each other. Taylor fell for 69 but Williamson cruised blissfully. A
pull to the fine-leg fence took him to a consecutive hundred, compiled over 124
balls. He shifted gears, putting the bowling to the sword. Finally top-edging
one to be taken by the keeper, his delightful essay spread over 154 balls
contained a six and 14 fours. New Zealand hoisted 291 for eight. A
swashbuckling 122-run stand between Chris Gayle and Shimron Hetmyer and a
scintillating century by Carlos Brathwaite turned it into an edge-of-the-seat
thriller. With six required, Brathwaite was brilliantly caught by Trent Boult
on the long-on boundary off the last ball of the 49<sup>th</sup> over. It was a
successive man-of-the-match prize for the jubilant Williamson.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The first reverse
in the tournament came at the hands of Pakistan. Wickets tumbled regularly, and
soon New Zealand found themselves in a strife at 46 for four in the 13<sup>th</sup>
over. Williamson found an able ally in Neesham. They added 37 in 13.5 overs
before Williamson was caught behind for 41. He had squared up to 69 deliveries
and struck 4 fours. Neesham and de Grandhomme added 132 to carry the side to a
respectable 237 for six. That was not enough as an unbeaten century by Babar
Azam took Pakistan to a six-wicket victory with five balls to spare.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The downturn
continued as the Aussies handed out another defeat. After posting 243 for nine,
disrupted by a Trent Boult hat-trick, their bowlers kept a stranglehold on the
Kiwis. Williamson partnered with Ross Taylor in a 55-run third-wicket stand in
12.3 overs. He was caught at the wicket once again as Mitchell Starc angled one
away to bag the first of his five wickets. Williamson top-scored with 40 off 51
deliveries punctuated by 2 fours and a six over mid-wicket. New Zealand were
bowled out for 157.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A consecutive
hundred by Jonny Bairstow powered England to a formidable 305 for eight. After
the two openers left with just 14 on the board, Williamson and Taylor tried to
resurrect the innings. They added 47 before tragedy struck as both were run out
after playing cameos. Williamson was desperately unlucky to be caught out of
his crease at the non-striker’s end, having scored 27 off 40 balls and hit
three boundaries. Soon Taylor fell short going for a non-existent second. New
Zealand could manage only 186.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They managed to
qualify for the semi-finals, edging out Pakistan on run-rate. The firm of
Williamson and Taylor were once again in business, putting on 65 for the third
wicket in 17 overs. Williamson holed out for 67, having squared up to 95
deliveries and crafted six boundaries. On 74, Taylor was unfortunate to be run
out for a second successive time, victim of a brilliant direct strike by the
irrepressible Ravindra Jadeja. New Zealand put up 239 for eight. The Indian
top-order was rocked, slumping to 5 for three. From there they hardly looked in
the hunt despite some scintillating hitting by Jadeja. They were bowled out for
221.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The final was the
stuff of legend, a thriller that kept everybody on tenterhooks with incredible
twists and turns. Just as New Zealand seemed to have the match under control,
an overthrow ricocheting to the boundary off a diving Ben Stokes’ bat, turned
it around. The game was tied, so was the super over. A boundary countback gave
the title to England. For the record, Williamson and Henry Nicholls put on 74
for the second wicket in 16.2 overs. Williamson was snapped up by the keeper,
having scored 30 off 53 balls with two boundaries. Nicholls scored a
half-century and New Zealand clocked 241 for eight. Stokes was unbeaten with 84
as nos. 10 and 11 were run out off the last two deliveries. The super over
produced 15 runs each. Stokes was man-of-the-match, and the consistent
Williamson was pronounced player-of-the-series for his 578 runs and
inspirational captaincy that almost clinched the Cup for his country.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">An average of
82.57, strike-rate of almost 75, two hundreds and two fifties made for a fine
show, in keeping with his stature as one of the top contemporary batsmen. In
all, Williamson is just 89 runs short of the 1,000 runs mark in the World Cup at
56.93 per innings and 78.33 runs per 100 balls.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Unassuming as a
man, touch of class with the bat, Kane Williamson bids fair to make a mark as a
legend of New Zealand cricket, having already led his team to the first World
Test Championship in 2021. “He took the Blackcaps to unprecedented success, he
brought so much consistency of high performance to that side, right throughout
all forms of the game he’s achieved so much,” was his former skipper Brendon
McCullum’s glowing accolade for Williamson on Senz Mornings radio
show</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Doubtlessly, there is still so much more for him to accomplish.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">(</span><i style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Excerpt
from Indra Vikram Singh’s forthcoming book ‘Cricket World Cup: Hat-trick
of Home Wins’</i><span style="font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">).</span></p></div>Indra Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800239858093978514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874360532152770138.post-3849934368142151402023-07-08T07:35:00.002-07:002023-07-26T08:52:18.546-07:00Road to the Cricket World Cup 2023. Hall of Fame: Mahendra Singh Dhoni<p style="text-align: center;"> <b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Inspirational
captain, one of the greats of modern cricket</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqmSNcvQOv_uCavLQ0YWRTOQdtMZg2bu4WwtZ-F6O-_399iq2rKk_dxRil7ThmK8pMk3pNsPnHdvA3Gs0Ez3YWE-o0_0gBv6YqC9pN5WcsCrFRniEAuLISNYzrmSteDY5vkRO3OWXVXQRbp2ZifVBicKKtNiet5O5PMzIiYobNz0UuFtZPm_piA-N3od7/s8256/2S5E7891%20Dhoni%20hitting%20final%20six.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8256" data-original-width="6672" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqmSNcvQOv_uCavLQ0YWRTOQdtMZg2bu4WwtZ-F6O-_399iq2rKk_dxRil7ThmK8pMk3pNsPnHdvA3Gs0Ez3YWE-o0_0gBv6YqC9pN5WcsCrFRniEAuLISNYzrmSteDY5vkRO3OWXVXQRbp2ZifVBicKKtNiet5O5PMzIiYobNz0UuFtZPm_piA-N3od7/w324-h400/2S5E7891%20Dhoni%20hitting%20final%20six.JPG" width="324" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Mahendra Singh Dhoni, a winner all the way.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BATTING AND WICKETKEEPING:
Matches 29, Innings 25, Not Out 7, Highest Score 91*, Runs 780, Average 43.33,
Strike-rate 89.96, 50s 5, Catches 34, Stumpings 8 </span></div></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 107%;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">From a blazing-hot long-haired top-order
striker, the metamorphosis of Mahendra Singh Dhoni along the way to a canny
finisher, Captain Cool to adoring millions, was remarkable. His place as an
all-time great wicketkeeper-batsman is secure, as is his slot among the most
successful leaders in all formats of the game. He led India to the title in the
inaugural World Twenty20 in 2007, saw the side climb to no. 1 spot in Test
matches, and won the 2011 One-day World Cup. No legend of the sport is as
unassuming and matter-of-fact about his fabulous achievements as is MS. Success
rests lightly on his shoulders. True to type, his departure from the
international scene was as subtle, and with no flourish, as the man himself.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">Though he was out for a duck in the
upset by Bangladesh on first appearance in the 2007 World Cup, Dhoni caught
Tamim Iqbal, and stumped Shakib Al Hasan and the captain Habibul Bashar. As
India made merry off the friendly Bermuda bowling, Dhoni hit 29 off 25
deliveries and took a catch to send back the burly Dwayne Leverock. With the
side struggling to stay in the competition, Dhoni caught three Sri Lankan
batsmen but was dismissed for another duck. It was a disastrous tournament for
India, knocked out in the first stage.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The tide had turned at home in 2011.
Dhoni had risen rapidly to assume captaincy, and India were one of the strong
favourites. India piled up 370 for four off the Bangla attack, with Dhoni not
getting his turn to bat. Though the Bangladesh batsmen put up strong
resistance, the target was far beyond their reach. Dhoni had a stumping to his
name.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In the thrilling high-scoring tie with
England, Dhoni hit a rapid-fire 31 off 25 balls, striking a six and 3 fours. He
added 69 for the fourth wicket with Yuvraj Singh in 7.4 overs. They were out
within a ball of each other. With the last five wickets falling in a heap after
their departure, India were a bit disappointed that they did not get more than
338, and could not build on Sachin Tendulkar’s superb 120 (115 balls, 5 sixes,
10 fours). With skipper Andrew Strauss leading the way with a brilliant 158
(145 balls, 1 six, 18 fours), England finished on the same score with eight
wickets down.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">India overcame Ireland with relative
ease, Dhoni pouching three catches in a total of 207. With four wickets down
for 100 in 23.4 overs, Dhoni combined once again with Yuvraj, putting on 67 in
16.3 overs. He scored a restrained 34 from 68 deliveries, hitting two
boundaries. Yuvraj (50 not out) brought up victory in an unfinished stand of 43
with Yusuf Pathan (30 not out) in 5.5 overs.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was a similar outing with Holland.
Dhoni took a catch and was a participant in two run outs in a score of 189. He
was once more in tandem with Yuvraj, ushering in a five-wicket win in an
unbroken partnership of 52 in 13.2 overs. Yuvraj was unbeaten with 51 and Dhoni
with 19.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Once again, after a magnificent 111 (101
balls, 3 sixes, 8 fours) by Tendulkar, the lower-order capsized against South
Africa. Dhoni was a bystander as the last five wickets crashed for 16 runs in
5.4 overs, with another 1.2 overs remaining. He returned in disbelief, 12 not
out against his name as Dale Steyn did the damage with five for 50 in 9.4
overs. In fact, when Tendulkar was out, the score was 267 for two in 39.4
overs. From there India collapsed to 296 all out in 48.4 overs. The Proteas
were solid through the order and broke away to register an exciting
three-wicket victory with just two deliveries to spare. If only the lower half
of the Indian batting had held out a bit longer! Dhoni registered a catch, a
run out and a stumping.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">India needed to regroup. Spurred by a
fine hundred by Yuvraj (113 runs, 123 balls, 2 sixes, 10 fours), India posted
268 but again being bowled out inside the 50 overs. Dhoni and Yuvraj put on 45
for the fourth wicket in 9.2 overs. Dhoni scored 22 off 30 deliveries. West
Indies were dismissed for 188, with Dhoni having a stumping to his name.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The quarter-final was a battle of
prestige as Australia looked for their fourth straight title, their long
unbeaten streak going back to 1999 already breached by Pakistan in their
previous match. A hundred of sheer class by skipper Ricky Ponting (104 runs,
118 balls, 1 six, 7 fours), enabled the Aussies to post 260 for six. Some
determined batting through the order by India saw them home by five wickets
with 14 balls to spare. Dhoni, though, was dismissed for 7.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The sizzling, red-hot semi-final against
Pakistan was played on a dodgy Mohali pitch. Sachin Tendulkar scored a
fortuitous 85 (115 balls, 11 fours) as India posted 260 for nine. Dhoni put
together 25 runs off 42 balls, adding a valuable 46 with Tendulkar in 11.3
overs. Pakistan put up a game bid but kept falling behind on the run-rate. They
were eventually bowled out for 231 in 49.5 overs with the wickets shared
equally by the five bowlers. Dhoni snapped up a catch.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">The final at the Wankhede Stadium was a
closely-contested faceoff. A tremendous unbeaten 103 (88 balls, 13 fours) by
Mahela Jayawardene spurred Sri Lanka to hoist 274 for six. If would be the
highest winning score in a World Cup final if India were to achieve it. There
was disbelief as Virender Sehwag was trapped leg-before by Lasith Malinga off
the second delivery for a duck. Then in the seventh over, there was stunned
silence as Tendulkar edged Malinga into the gloves of skipper Kumar Sangakkara.
It was 31 for two, and Tendulkar gone for 18. Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli
put on 83 in 15.3 overs. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Then there was the stirring sight of
captain Dhoni striding out briskly, promoting himself ahead of Yuvraj, to join
Gambhir. It was a defining moment in the match. Having settled down, they began
striking the boundaries. Dhoni slammed Muttiah Muralitharan through the covers
to the fence, reaching his half-century from 52 deliveries. The century
partnership came up in 17.5 overs. Just when it seemed that they were sailing,
Gambhir had a rush of blood. He dashed out to Thisara Perera, had a big swing,
missed and was castled. His superb 97 had come off 122 balls, embellished with
9 fours. They had put on 109 in 19.4 overs. There were now 52 runs to get in
8.4 overs as Yuvraj walked in. Dhoni slashed Perera high above point for a six.
They struck a four each in the 47th over off Nuwan Kulasekara. In the next over
Dhoni found the pickets at square-leg off two successive deliveries from
Malinga. There were now only 7 runs required from 15 balls. The roar of
excitement in the stadium could be heard a long distance away. And then with 4
needed in 11 deliveries, in a moment frozen in eternity, Dhoni swung Kulasekara
high over long-on for a six. Wankhede Stadium erupted, as did all of India, and
all Indians around the globe. India became the first team to win the World Cup
on home soil. Dhoni returned triumphant with 91 to his name, having faced just
79 balls and hammered 2 sixes and 8 fours. He was man-of-the-match.
Player-of-the-tournament Yuvraj Singh was unbeaten with 21 off 24 balls, having
struck 2 fours. It was an exhilarating night as Dhoni lifted the gleaming ICC
Trophy.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">The opening clash for the defending
champions in 2015 was against arch-rivals Pakistan. Virat Kohli’s hundred and
his century partnerships with Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina carried India to
300 for seven. Dhoni scored 18 off 13 balls with a six and a four. Once
Pakistan had lost five wickets for 103 at almost the half-way stage, they were
never in the hunt. They folded up for 224. There were three catches for Dhoni.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">It was Dhawan’s ton against the Proteas
and his three-figure stands with Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane that took India to
307 for seven. Dhoni again got 18 runs, this time from 11 deliveries containing
three boundaries, South Africa were bowled out for 177. Dhoni was involved in
two run outs.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">India skittled United Arab Emirates for
102, the lowest they dismissed a side for in the World Cup. Dhoni caught both
the openers. India cruised to a nine-wicket win in 18.5 overs.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">West Indies were bowled out for 182. Had
it not been for skipper Jason Holder’s 57 at no. 9, their plight would have
been much worse. Dhoni pouched two catches. India were in some strife at 78 for
four after 17.5 overs when Dhoni walked in. There were two brief partnerships
with Raina and Ravindra Jadeja, and then an unbroken 51-run stand in 9.4 overs
with Ravichandran Ashwin that carried the side to victory. Dhoni was unbeaten
with 45, having faced 56 deliveries and struck a six off Andre Russell and 3
fours. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">The Irish posted a respectable 259 in 49
overs. Dhoni caught two of them. With Dhawan hitting another century, India ran
away with the game, winning by eight wickets in a mere 36.5 overs. With 12
victories in World Cup matches, Dhoni overtook Kapil Dev’s mark of 11 wins as
captain.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">Brendan Taylor’s consecutive hundred, a
brilliant 138 in 110 balls with 5 sixes and 15 fours, spurred Zimbabwe to a
formidable total of 287 in 48.5 overs. Dhoni was not to be left out of the
action with two early catches. There was a tremendous unbroken fifth-wicket
partnership of 196 in 26 overs between Raina and Dhoni after India had slumped
to 92 for four in 22.4 overs. Dhoni got into the groove with two successive
boundaries off Solomon Mire on either side of the wicket. With the required rate
climbing to almost 10, there was a spate of sixes and fours. The century stand
came in 16.5 overs. Dhoni raised his half-century off 56 deliveries. Raina sped
to his hundred in 94 balls. Dhoni slammed Tawanda Mupariwa for a six over
long-on and a four to long-leg off successive balls. And then he banged a short
one from Tinashe Panyangara over square-leg to bring up victory with eight
balls to spare. It was India’s highest partnership in a run-chase, bettering
the 174-run stand between Dhawan and Rohit Sharma against Ireland four days
earlier. An upset seemed a distinct
possibility when the pair came together. Raina hit up 110 off 104 balls, having
struck 4 sixes and 9 fours. Dhoni slammed 85 from 76 deliveries, banging 2
sixes and 8 fours. India’s score of 288 for four was their highest batting
second in the World Cup.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">The quarter-final was a no-contest with
India hitting up 302 for six. Rohit Sharma struck a fine hundred and was
associated in a century stand with Raina. Dhoni was dismissed for 6. Bangladesh
could muster only just 193. Dhoni snapped up four catches. India bowled out
their opponents for the seventh successive match, all in this tournament, the
most by any team in the World Cup. They also clinched their 11th consecutive
win in the World Cup beginning 20th March 2011, second after Australia’s
amazing streak of 25 successive triumphs from 20th June 1999 to 25th February
2011. This was Dhoni’s 100th victory as captain in One-day Internationals,
emulating the Australians Allan Border (107) and Ricky Ponting (165).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">India ran out of steam in the
semi-final, losing by 95 runs to Australia. Chasing 329, India were 108 for
four in 23 overs when Dhoni entered the arena. He put on 70 with Ajinkya Rahane
in 14.2 overs. He reached his fifty off 55 deliveries with a tremendous six
over the covers and smashed one more over long-off off the next ball. He was
run out for a run-a-ball 65, having struck 2 sixes and 3 fours. By then it was
an impossible task and India were bowled out for 233. It was a wonderful run in
the tournament prior to this semi-final. Dhoni put in a fine performance with
237 runs in 6 innings at an average of 59.25 and strike-rate of 102.15, and as
many as 15 catches in the 8 matches.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">By 2019, touching 38 years of age, Dhoni
appeared a bit leaden-footed at the crease, and seemed to have lost his
nimbleness. He was still his reliable and unobtrusive self behind the stumps,
and as always put in a hundred percent effort to the cause of the side under a
new leader, Virat Kohli. It was a clinical performance by India in their
opening encounter with the Proteas. Restricting the opponents to 227 for nine,
they sauntered to their target, losing just four wickets and with 2.3 overs to
spare. There was a stumping by Dhoni. With the bat he allied with Rohit Sharma
at 139 for three after 31.3 overs. They kept the scoreboard ticking, ahead of
the required rate. Rohit brought up his century in 128 balls. The fifty
partnership was raised in 11.1 overs. Dhoni was caught and bowled off a skier for
34, scored off 46 deliveries with two boundaries. The stand was worth 74 in
14.4 overs. There were now just 15 runs required from 23 balls. A few big blows
by the new man Hardik Pandya were enough to bring up a comfortable win and
provide India a fine start to the tournament. Rohit was unbeaten with a classy
122, having taken on 144 balls and embellished with 2 sixes and 13 fours.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">In a high-scoring game, India prevailed
over reigning champions Australia. This time Shikhar Dhawan hit up a century.
Dhoni slammed a rapid-fire 27 off 14 deliveries with a six off Mitchell Starc
and three fours. He put on 37 with Kohli for the fourth wicket in 3.2 overs,
being caught and bowled once again. India posted a huge 352 for five. Australia
were restricted to 316, Dhoni snapping up a catch.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">The fixture with New Zealand was washed
out. Then followed the needle encounter with Pakistan. Rohit Sharma struck his
second hundred of the tournament, a superb 140 off 113 balls, studded with 3
sixes and 14 fours. India hit up 336 for five. Dhoni was caught behind for 1.
With a rain interruption, Pakistan’s target was adjusted to 302 in 40 overs.
They managed 212 for six. This was India’s seventh win over Pakistan in the
World Cup in as many matches, going back to 1992.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">India made heavy weather of their game
versus Afghanistan. They put up 224 for eight. Dhoni put on 57 with Kedar
Jadhav for the fifth wicket in 14 overs. He was stumped off leg-spinner Rashid
Khan for 28 off 52 deliveries with 3 fours. With Afghanistan at 190 for six,
with 27 balls left, there was an outside chance of an upset. That was when
Dhoni stumped Rashid Khan. There were 16 runs to win off the last over with
three wickets left. Mohammad Nabi slammed a boundary off the first delivery,
followed by a dot. Then Mohammed Shami grabbed a hat-trick to soothe the frayed
Indian nerves.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">The scare at the hands of Afghanistan
must have jolted the Indian squad. They were back to their best as they faced
the West Indies. Dhoni joined Kohli at 140 for four after 28.5 overs. They
added 40 in 9.3 overs. In another fine stand, Dhoni added 70 with Hardik Pandya
from just 10 overs. Dhoni was on 40 when the last over began. He pulled Oshane
Thomas for a six over mid-wicket. He slammed another for four at long-off to
bring up his half-century in 59 deliveries. The last ball was also short, and
he bludgeoned it for six over square-leg. Dhoni returned unbeaten with 56 off
61 balls, having struck 2 sixes and 3 fours. India posted a competitive 268 for
seven. West Indies folded up for 143, Mohammed Shami bagging a successive
four-wicket haul. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">England prevailed in a match of tall
scores. They logged up 337 for seven, Mohammed Shami captured five for 69, his
third consecutive haul of four or five wickets. He became the quickest to capture
30 wickets in the World Cup, in just 10 matches. Rohit Sharma carved out his
third century of the tournament, and Kohli hit up his fifth consecutive fifty.
With the required-rate already above 10 runs an over, Dhoni added 41 for the
fifth wicket with Hardik Pandya in 5.4 overs, and another unfinished 39 with
Kedar Jadhav in 5.1 overs, but the overs ran out with India 31 short of the
English total. Dhoni was 42 not out off just 31 deliveries, having struck a six
off Chris Woakes in the last over and four boundaries.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">Built on an opening partnership of 180
runs in 29.2 overs between Rohit and Lokesh Rahul, India hoisted 314 for nine
off the Bangladesh attack. It was a consecutive hundred for Rohit, his fourth
ton in this World Cup, emulating Kumar Sangakkara’s feat of 2015. Dhoni added
40 with a belligerent Rishabh Pant in 5.3 overs. Dhoni scored 35 in 33 balls
with four boundaries. Bangladesh made a game bid but were bowled out for 286 in
48 overs with a catch coming Dhoni’s way.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">Sri Lanka put up 264 for seven. Dhoni
accounted for the first four batsmen, three catches and a stumping. India’s
opening partnership of 189 runs in 30.1 overs between Rahul and Rohit virtually
settled the issue. Both hit up centuries, Rohit’s record fifth in this World
Cup and third in succession. It was a seven-wicket triumph, with Dhoni not
getting his turn to bat. India topped the league table with 15 points.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">In the semi-final, New Zealand put up
239 for eight, with Dhoni pouching a catch. India made a disastrous start, 5 for
three, 24 for four, 71 for five in 22.5 overs when Dhoni entered the scene, and
92 for six in 30.3 overs when he was joined by Ravindra Jadeja. There were 148
more runs required in 19.3 overs at a rate of almost 7.60. It was an uphill
task. Jadeja showed his intent by slamming James Neesham for a huge six over
long-on off his sixth delivery. He crashed another one off Mitchell Santner.
The half-century of the partnership came in 8.4 overs. There were 90 required
off the last 10 overs. Jadeja crashed Santner for his third six, and blasted
another one off a slower one from Lockie Ferguson. The hundred of their stand
came in 15 overs. The required-rate, though, was only climbing, 12.33 at the
end of the 47th over. Jadeja was caught at long-off. His brilliant 77 came off
59 balls, having struck 4 fours besides the 4 sixes. In the next over, Dhoni
slashed Ferguson for a six. He was run out going for a second run, a brilliant
piece of fielding by Martin Guptill. He had scored a hard-fought 50 against the
odds, with just a four besides the six. The ageing legend was not able to pull
it off this time. India were all out for 221 in 49.3 overs. They had come close
from a hopeless situation, thanks to the stellar efforts of Jadeja and Dhoni,
but had to exit at the penultimate stage for the second time in a row.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;">In the evening of his career, Dhoni had
given his all. A tally of 273 runs in 8 innings at an average of 45.50 and
strike-rate of 87.78, and 10 dismissals were figures to be proud of. In his
World Cup career of 29 matches, Dhoni hit up 780 runs at 43.33 per innings and
89.96 runs per 100 balls, to go with his 34 catches and 8 stumpings. In the
World Cup too, he finished not only among the top wicketkeeper-batsmen but as a
leader par excellence. The 2011 triumph, and the dramatic shot to clinch it,
will forever remain etched in memory. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As Sunil Gavaskar
observed in the India Today Conclave in 2020, “Dhoni was definitely right at
the top. The way Dhoni captained, the coolness that he brought in the team is
special. His story doesn’t tell you the effort and the struggles that he went
through.” How Mahendra Singh Dhoni metamorphosed from humble beginnings to the
taciturn colossus of world cricket is the stuff of legend.</span></p></span></div></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">(<i>Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s forthcoming book ‘Cricket
World Cup: Hat-trick of Home Wins’</i>).</span></div><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></b><p></p>Indra Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800239858093978514noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874360532152770138.post-87056754050808514192023-06-25T08:51:00.000-07:002023-06-25T08:51:14.251-07:00On the 40th anniversary of India’s triumph in the cricket World Cup 1983, interview with skipper Kapil Dev published in Indra Vikram Singh’s ‘The Big Book of World Cup Cricket’<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZA1HhBLJfr_BFmXGvN9odrb4z6FnJHHgEy6gZ9bMMgx3wfTMt2e_EPPU7PM9x7dWmRXQa1zwMGlFpQdld7WhKcFyy8s23K2fE4ym_p0bx4_aJ7xyvvsIqBMFXKlQAAU8eOnBnXeV-Jy2I1Ohx2ekGmyIEBH-cmymsKb7T8lQ405xvzWNGX-ICQ7cQm7bi/s750/1983%20World%20Cup%20winning%20team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZA1HhBLJfr_BFmXGvN9odrb4z6FnJHHgEy6gZ9bMMgx3wfTMt2e_EPPU7PM9x7dWmRXQa1zwMGlFpQdld7WhKcFyy8s23K2fE4ym_p0bx4_aJ7xyvvsIqBMFXKlQAAU8eOnBnXeV-Jy2I1Ohx2ekGmyIEBH-cmymsKb7T8lQ405xvzWNGX-ICQ7cQm7bi/w400-h266/1983%20World%20Cup%20winning%20team.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><b style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">What did your 1983 World Cup team have that
the 1975 and 1979 Indian sides did not?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Self-belief.
We had a good tour of the West Indies prior to the 1983 World Cup. We levelled
the One-day series 1-1 before losing the decider. It was not a joke to beat the
West Indies in those days. Once we beat them (in Berbice, Guyana), we realised
that we could beat anyone. Besides we had a number of allrounders. If you
consider that men like Kirti Azad and Madan Lal – who batted at no.7 and no.9
for us – have scored 16 Ranji Trophy centuries each, it becomes apparent that
we had tremendous batting depth. Imagine a player like Syed Kirmani was batting
at no.10! Even last-man Balwinder Singh Sandhu could bat. We had attacking
batsmen (Krish Srikkanth, Sandeep Patil and Kapil himself) and also those like
Sunil Gavaskar, Mohinder Amarnath, Dilip Vengsarkar and Yash Pal Sharma who
could see us through the 60 overs. Our fielding was safe rather than brilliant,
though men like Roger Binny and Yash Pal were outstanding. Gavaskar did a great
job in the slips and Kirmani was a fine wicketkeeper.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">No one except Kim Hughes gave your team
even an outside chance to win the Cup. Were you surprised at your team’s
performance?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Definitely,
I was surprised. But everything was clicking for us then. We had belief in
ourselves. Victory over the West Indies in the first match of the World Cup
gave a kick-start to our campaign. We can win, we thought after this. Our
attitude was very good.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In retrospect, you did have a very good
One-day side.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I agree
we had a good team.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Would you say that it was your innings
against Zimbabwe at Tunbridge Wells that turned the tide? You went on to win
four matches in a row to lift the Cup quite sensationally.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Rather
than my innings, what was critical was that the thought of losing never crossed
our minds. There was a terrific bond within that team.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Was the wicket seaming a lot on that day?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">You know
that matches started at 11 A.M. in England thanks to their long hours of
daylight during summer. Even at that hour the ball was nipping around.
Crucially, our batsmen kept edging instead of missing. As wickets tumbled, the
pressure kept building up. Soon it was 9 for four wickets (when Kapil went in
to bat, and then 17 for five).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Did the pitch ease out as your innings
progressed?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Yes, it
improved and we were able to build up a good total.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Personally too you had a brilliant World
Cup in 1983, with bat and ball. Was that your finest hour, or was the Test wickets
record more exhilarating?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The World
Cup win brought recognition to Indian cricket. It brought about a massive
change as far as One-day cricket was concerned in India. Earlier our One-day
record was poor. This victory was not a fluke; we went on to win the World
Championship of cricket in Australia in 1985. We became a force to reckon with.
Even though Test cricket is the ultimate, the World Cup triumph was extremely
important for us. People talk about my innings of 175 against Zimbabwe, but
look at our team effort and the fine combination we had. Medium-pacers Binny,
Madan Lal and Sandhu were the key. For variety we had left-arm spinner Ravi
Shastri. Let’s not forget the bowling of Amarnath (slow-medium) and Kirti Azad
(quickish off-breaks). In the semi-final at Manchester – where the ball
invariably swings around – it was turning and keeping low that day. These two
were first-class. They pegged England back and bowled 24 overs between
themselves (conceding just 55 runs and picking up three wickets), leaving my
main bowlers with plenty of overs in hand. After Amarnath and Kirti had bowled
6 overs each, they would look at me at the beginning of each over and wonder if
I would keep them on. I just kept them on and on. Our fielding was also very
sharp that day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Are you aware that you are still the only
player to score a century and bag a five-wicket haul in all the World Cups put
together?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">(Expresses
surprise).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">What were your thoughts on the morning of
the final?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">We felt
we had nothing to lose.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Your total of 183 could not have inspired
confidence.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">They gave
us a green top on which the ball was flying around. The great West Indies fast
bowlers Andy Roberts, Joel Garner, Malcolm Marshall and Michael Holding made it
very tough for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Was the ball still moving around when you
bowled?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">It seamed
the whole day. I bowled four maidens, which would not have been possible if the
ball was not seaming around.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Gordon Greenidge shouldered arms and was
bowled. Sandhu said he thought he had bowled an out-swinger but the ball came
in.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">It
happens sometimes. Once you release the ball you can’t always be sure what it
will do. At times I would attempt an out-swinger and the ball would come in
after hitting the seam. Sandhu was bowling from the Nursery End from where the
ball generally goes away from the right-hander due to the slope at Lord’s. But
that delivery seamed in sharply.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">At which stage did you think that you could
win? Richards’ dismissal? Lloyd’s dismissal? Or later?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Vivian
Richards was obviously an awesome player but even though we managed to dismiss
him, Clive Lloyd was still there. And we knew what Lloyd had done in the 1975
final. But soon Lloyd (who had a strained groin and Desmond Haynes as runner)
hit a catch to me at cover. Then wickets started tumbling.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Surely at 76 for six, you had the match in
the bag.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">What was
important was that their top six batsmen – Greenidge, Haynes, Richards, Lloyd,
Larry Gomes and Faoud Bacchus – were out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Do you think the West Indies batsmen were
complacent?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">No. When
a batsman goes in, he tries his best. It’s pressure that gets batsmen in such
situations. It was a World Cup final. The fielding side is always less nervous
at times such as this. Ultimately, pressure got to the West Indies.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysbOekklJ3hJhLC07QCaLMkxkksUOoGHeebvJ9sOhbx4jEqssgeZHy2VnVTp-C3yl-7qC6r2Pq_E5846697sr87cpJsP7E4lHeNNjkrhku9BrSeqqxkmlpc3TZxOdWOZtXaPiyqBSg1YvKYlsx1507hd68npfw4i3_LzkxGh1wG3ZiSH5rRo7TUmsUCYg/s1600/The%20Big%20Book%20of%20World%20Cup%20Cricket%20-%20Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1218" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysbOekklJ3hJhLC07QCaLMkxkksUOoGHeebvJ9sOhbx4jEqssgeZHy2VnVTp-C3yl-7qC6r2Pq_E5846697sr87cpJsP7E4lHeNNjkrhku9BrSeqqxkmlpc3TZxOdWOZtXaPiyqBSg1YvKYlsx1507hd68npfw4i3_LzkxGh1wG3ZiSH5rRo7TUmsUCYg/w153-h200/The%20Big%20Book%20of%20World%20Cup%20Cricket%20-%20Cover.jpg" width="153" /></a></b></div><b>The Big Book of
World Cup Cricket<o:p></o:p></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Published in India by
Sporting Links<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">ISBN 978-81-901668-4-3<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Fully illustrated<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Hardcover with jacket 11.5 x
8.75 x 1 inches<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">544 pages</span></p>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>Available
at an attractive price on Amazon <a href="https://www.amazon.in/dp/8190166840">https://www.amazon.in/dp/8190166840</a></span>Indra Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800239858093978514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874360532152770138.post-54147291437873474622023-06-05T04:19:00.001-07:002023-06-05T07:15:27.552-07:00Road to the Cricket World Cup 2023. Hall of Fame: Shakib Al Hasan<p style="text-align: center;"> <b style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">World-class
allrounder, Bangladesh’s finest</span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: center;"></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPcURFREtIG__iU1g2ufL_eCoaUQ_B1QNeHvjZ4DQkoLWeYTKBBwmSscnOwMFz6FLY2N_T6sGL7qwnOXNJWUsA6LSr8RfbofhfVZIX-Nmi1ALVI8CuiWYBFGZhU40xpIfsq1v8dr7zuNtwBNNjVMcnQefqnAtklgzr1ogeqZG8edIX6wS8_bRa7xHCg/s601/Shakib.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="434" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPcURFREtIG__iU1g2ufL_eCoaUQ_B1QNeHvjZ4DQkoLWeYTKBBwmSscnOwMFz6FLY2N_T6sGL7qwnOXNJWUsA6LSr8RfbofhfVZIX-Nmi1ALVI8CuiWYBFGZhU40xpIfsq1v8dr7zuNtwBNNjVMcnQefqnAtklgzr1ogeqZG8edIX6wS8_bRa7xHCg/s320/Shakib.jpg" width="231" /></a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: center;"><br /></b></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BATTING: Matches 29,
Innings 29, Not Out 4, Highest Score 124*, Runs 1146, Average 45.84,
Strike-rate 82.26, 100s 2, 50s 10, Catches 8 </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face="Calibri, "sans-serif"" style="font-family: inherit;">ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BOWLING: Balls 1433, Maidens 2,
Runs 1222, Wickets 34, Average 35.94, Best Bowling 5/29, Runs/Over 5.11</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The southpaw Shakib Al Hasan’s stock
kept rising. Gradually, he was rated among the best allrounders in the world,
and arguably Bangladesh’s finest cricketer. His volatile behaviour at times got
him into trouble but his performances on the field kept charting a rising
curve. His forthright batsmanship and wily left-arm spin built up a fine record
for him since his debut in 2006. With nearly 4,500 runs at an average creeping
towards 40 and 230 wickets at just above 31 apiece in Test matches, and heading
towards 7000 runs at nearly 38 per innings and towards 300 wickets at an
average under 30 in One-day Internationals, and with many good years still ahead
of him, Shakib is heading towards the galaxy of the greats.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Shakib’s World Cup debut was in the
famous upset of India in 2007. Though India were bowled out for 191, Shakib was
unable to take a wicket. He, however, did a star turn with the bat, one of
three half-centuries by youngsters that contributed to the shock win. After
Tamim Iqbal’s aggressive 51 in 53 balls, Shakib combined with Mushfiqur Rahim
in a match-winning fourth-wicket stand of 84 in 22.4 overs. The fifty of their
partnership came in 15.1 overs. Shakib was stumped by Mahendra Singh Dhoni off
Virender Sehwag. His 53 had come off 86 deliveries studded with a six and five
boundaries. There were just 29 more runs to get. Mushfiqur was unbeaten with 56
(107 balls, 2 sixes, 3 fours) as they brought up a stunning five-wicket
victory. The fearlessness of youth had prevailed over a very experienced and
accomplished side.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sri Lanka were relentless, piling up
318 for four. Shakib had Mahela Jayawardene caught at long-off, conceding 49
runs in his 10 overs. This time he was bowled by the great Muttiah Muralitharan
for 4, Bangladesh folding up for 112.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was an easy ride against
first-timers Bermuda in a rain-curtailed 21-overs-a-side game. Shakib had
Oliver Pitcher caught in the covers, and castled Lionel Cann. These wickets
cost him 12 runs in three overs. He was unbeaten with 26 in an unfinished
59-run stand with Mohammad Ashraful as they breezed to a seven-wicket win.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Australia dominated their first
super-eight fixture. Bangladesh were able to score only 104 for six in their
allotted 22 overs. Shakib was joint top-scorer with 25. Australia breezed to a
ten-wicket win. The Kiwis were just as unrelenting, bowling out Bangladesh for
174. Shakib once again scored 25. New Zealand knocked up a nine-wicket victory.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There was, however, a stunning upset
of South Africa. Bangladesh posted 251 for eight. Shakib, though, was dismissed
for 9. He contributed with the ball in the middle of the Proteas’ innings. He
had Mark Boucher caught at long-off, and next ball caught Justin Kemp off his
own bowling. Suddenly, South Africa slumped to 87 for six after 26.5 overs.
There was a bit of a fightback but it was too little, too late. They were
bowled out for 184. Shakib conceded 49 runs in his 10 overs for his two
wickets.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fortunes swung again. As the top-order
crumbled against the English, Shakib came to the crease at 26 for three in 7.4
overs. Wickets continued to tumble around him as he dug in. He was able to
forge a 47-run seventh-wicket partnership with Mashrafe Mortaza in 13.4 overs.
Shakib raised his half-century off 82 balls. He ran out of partners as
Bangladesh folded up for 143. Shakib was unbeaten for 57, having faced 95
deliveries, and struck 6 fours besides the six. England had to fight hard to
reach this small target, losing six wickets in the process. Shakib was unable
to pick up a wicket.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Irish caused further anguish. They
posted a challenging 243 for seven. Shakib had Niall O’Brien caught, playing
the reverse sweep. He gave away 44 runs in his 10 overs. Bangladesh lost
wickets regularly, Shakib being run out for 3, and slipped to 169 all out. The
reverses continued as the West Indies scored 230 for five. Shakib had Marlon
Samuels caught behind by Mushfiqur Rahim. The wicket cost him 38 runs in 8
overs. The Bangladesh innings never took off and were shot out for 131. Shakib
was caught behind for a duck.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Shakib’s two half-centuries were
indicative of his promise. He chipped in with a few wickets. His career was
taking shape, along with those of several of his young colleagues.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With Virender Sehwag on the rampage in
2011, India piled up a huge 370 for four. Now at the helm, Shakib had Sehwag
eventually playing on for 175. He expended 61 runs in 10 overs. Bangladesh put
up a game fight. Shakib was associated in two useful partnerships. He added 59
for the third wicket in 9 overs with Tamim Iqbal, and 46 with Mushfiqur Rahim
for the fourth wicket in 7.3 overs. He reached his half-century off 47 balls,
and trying to raise the tempo was caught at mid-wicket. His 55 spanned 50
deliveries studded with six boundaries. Bangladesh totalled 283 for nine.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was retribution in the faceoff with
the Irish. Though Bangladesh were able to post only 205, they bowled out
Ireland for 178. Shakib scored 16. With the ball he had his opposite number
William Porterfield caught at mid-wicket. Shakib then had Niall O’Brien taken
brilliantly by Tamim Iqbal at square-leg. He gave away 28 runs for those two
wickets in his 8 overs. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There was a disaster at the hands of
the West Indies. Shot out for 58, Bangladesh were beaten by nine wickets.
Shakib was dismissed for 8.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In a thriller, Bangladesh pipped
England by two wickets with just an over to spare. Shakib dismissed top-scorer
Jonathan Trott (67), pouched at long-off. He caught Graeme Swann off his own
bowling. This time his two wickets cost 49 runs. He put on a crucial 82 runs
with Tamim Iqbal for the fourth wicket in 17.2 overs. Shakib’s 32 came off 58
deliveries, having hit just one boundary. Bangladesh lost eight wickets for
169. A resilient unbroken 58-run partnership between Mahmudullah (21 not out)
and Shafiul Islam (24 not out) carried them to a nail-biting victory.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As expected, Holland did not provide
much resistance. Their cause was not helped by four run outs, Shakib having a
hand in two of them. He also claimed the first wicket, trapping Wesley Barresi
leg-before, giving away 38 runs in 8 overs. Holland could total only 160.
Bangladesh won by six wickets but Shakib was dismissed for 1.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Their last group match was a disaster.
South Africa knocked up 284 for eight. Shakib deceived Jacques Kallis with a
straighter one and had him caught and bowled. He had Morne van Wyk playing on
to another that went on straight, and didn‘t bounce much. Shakib gave away 46
runs. Bangladesh faced the ignominy of being bowled out for under 100 for the
second time in the tournament. Shakib was the only one to get into double
figures, scoring a resolute, lonely 30 with four boundaries. Bangladesh could
muster only 78 runs in 28 overs.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There was not much memorable for
Shakib in this World Cup. A half-century and 8 wickets at 27.87 apiece provided
some solace, besides the close win over England.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was an easy opening fixture with
Afghanistan in 2015. Shakib featured in a partnership of 114 runs for the fifth
wicket in 15.3 overs with Mushfiqur Rahim. They kept the scoreboard ticking.
Shakib brought up his fifty from 43 balls. After a few aggressive strikes he
was bowled, his 63 coming off 51 deliveries studded with a six and 6 fours.
Mushfiqur went on to score 71 (56 balls, 1 six, 6 fours). Bangladesh were
bowled out for 267 off the last ball of the 50<sup>th</sup> over. Three early
wickets set the Afghans back, and though the middle-order battled, the task was
overwhelming. Shakib trapped Najibullah Zadran leg-before and had Mirwais
Ashraf caught at long-off. Afghanistan folded up for 162. Shakib conceded 43
runs in 8.5 overs.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The match against Australia was washed
out. With the top three Sri Lankan batsmen in tremendous form, they hoisted 332
for one. Shakib was wicketless, conceding 55 runs in his 10 overs. Bangladesh
were never in the game thereafter, though Shakib and Mushfiqur got together
once again in a 64-run stand in 11.1 overs for the sixth wicket. Shakib was
caught at long-on for 46, having faced 59 balls and hit a six and 4 fours.
Mushfiqur was out for 36. Bangladesh were dismissed for 240.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kyle Coetzer’s brilliant 156 off 134
deliveries, the highest score by a batsman from an associate member country,
carried Scotland to 318 for eight. Opening the bowling, Shakib took the last
wicket to fall off the final ball of the innings, having Majid Haq brilliantly
caught by Soumya Sarkar at square-leg. He expended 46 runs in his 10 overs.
Bangladesh had a fight on their hands, and had to draw on all their resources. Though
Sarkar fell early, Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah put on 139 for the second
wicket. Shakib joined Mushfiqur at 201 for three after 31.3 overs. They added
46 in 6.3 overs. Mushfiqur scored 60 (42 balls, 2 sixes, 6 fours). Once Sabbir
Rahman came in there was no looking back. Shakib brought up victory as well as
his fifty with a slash above third-man, with 11 balls to spare. This was
Bangladesh’s highest chase. Shakib returned with 52 to his name, having faced
51 deliveries, hitting 5 boundaries besides the six. Sabbir was unbeaten with
42 (40 balls, 2 sixes, 4 fours). Rare for one finishing on the losing side,
Coetzer deservedly won the man-of-the-match award.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -.55pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm -0.55pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Some fine performances by the Bangladesh
players helped beat England in an exciting game. A century by Mahmudullah and
his fifth-wicket partnership of 141 runs with Mushfiqur (89) piloted Bangladesh
to 275 for seven. Rubel Hossain with four for 53 spearheaded the attack, dismissing
England for 260 with 9 deliveries still left. It was not a fruitful outing,
though, for Shakib, being dismissed for 2 and returning sans a wicket.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -.55pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm -0.55pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -.55pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm -0.55pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Courtesy another fine hundred by Mahmudullah,
Bangladesh put up 288 for seven. Shakib was dismissed for a breezy 23 off 18
deliveries. He took the new ball, and had Brendon McCullum caught at long-off.
Soon he took another huge wicket, having Kane Williamson taken in the covers.
New Zealand were struggling at 33 for two. Martin Guptill knocked up a century,
and his partnership of 131 runs for the third wicket with Ross Taylor put New
Zealand on course. Shakib had Guptill snapped up at long-on but the Kiwis
inched ahead with some useful stands. Shakib induced Luke Ronchi to hit into
the hands of cover. The lower-order managed to carry New Zealand over the line
with three wickets in hand and 7 balls to spare. Shakib finished with four for
55 in 8.5 overs, his best figures to date in the World Cup, and the first time
he had bagged more than two wickets in an innings in the premier event.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -.55pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm -0.55pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -.55pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm -0.55pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> India were too strong in the quarter-final as
they hit up 302 for six. Shakib had opener Shikhar Dhawan stumped, conceding 58
runs in his 10 overs. Bangladesh were bowled out for 193; Shakib being
dismissed for 10.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -.55pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm -0.55pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -.55pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 0cm -0.55pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Scoring 196 runs in 6 matches at an average of
39.20 and strike-rate of 93.77, Shakib made valuable contributions with the bat.
Half of his 8 wickets came in one innings, the average and economy-rate being a
bit high at 37.25 and 5.16 respectively.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Shakib was in top form with the bat in
2019, and also bagged his highest number of wickets in any of the four World
Cup tournaments. Now batting at no. 3, it gave him ample opportunities to
score. Bangladesh were off to a flying start in the opening face-off with South
Africa. Shakib came in when the openers had raised 60. Mushfiqur joined him at
75 after 11.4 overs. They put on 142 runs in 23.3 overs, Bangladesh’s highest
in the World Cup. Their previous best was 141 for the fifth-wicket between
Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim against England in 2015. Shakib brought up his
fifty off 54 balls. The hundred partnership was raised in 15.5 overs. They kept
the scoreboard ticking without any heroics. Trying to sweep, Shakib was bowled
by Imran Tahir. His 75 came off 84 deliveries embellished with a six and 8
fours. Mushfiqur scored 78 (80 balls, 8 fours). Bangladesh went on to total 330
for six, their highest in One-day Internationals. All the Proteas top-order got
good starts but none could play a really big innings. Shakib bowled opener
Aiden Markram. He achieved the double of 5000 runs and 250 wickets in One-day
Internationals, by far the quickest in 199 matches. South Africa could only
advance as far as 309 for eight. Shakib finished with one for 50 in 10 overs. It
was a fine win for Bangladesh; Shakib was man-of-the-match.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After another useful stand by the
openers, Shakib again sparkled with the willow against New Zealand. This time
he put on 50 with Mushfiqur in 10.3 overs. Shakib’s half-century was raised in
54 deliveries once again. Shakib was caught behind off Colin de Grandhomme attempting
to cut. His 64 had spanned 68 deliveries, and he struck 7 boundaries. Bangladesh
posted 244. Shakib cut short the innings of both the Kiwi openers. He had
Guptill pouched at long-on, and Colin Munro taken at mid-wicket. New Zealand’s
reply was centred around a century partnership between Kane Williamson and Ross
Taylor, but they lost wickets regularly. For the second time in successive
tournaments New Zealand scrambled home, losing eight wickets on this occasion
and having played out 47.1 overs. Shakib’s return was two for 47.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">England seemed to be seeking
retribution for 2015, piling up 386 for six. Again opening the bowling, Shakib
was unable to take a wicket, giving away 71 runs. With the bat he was in superb
touch. After a 55-run stand with Tamim Iqbal, his comrade-in-arms once again
was Mushfiqur. This time the duo added 106 runs for the third wicket in 17
overs. Shakib reached his half-century off 53 deliveries. Finding the boundary
regularly, he raised his century in 95 balls. Another partnership of 49 runs in
10 overs with Mahmudullah followed. With the asking-rate hopelessly out of
control, having gone beyond the 15 runs an over mark, Shakib decided to up the
ante. The task, though, was too great. Ben Stokes yorked him in the next over.
His superb knock of 121, carved from 119 deliveries, was embellished with a six
and 12 fours. Bangladesh were ultimately bowled out for 280.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The fixture with Sri Lanka was washed
out. Led by Shakib, the Bangladesh batting was brilliant in the high-scoring
game versus the West Indies. Batting first, the Caribbean line-up hoisted 321
for eight. Shakib broke the second-wicket century stand between Evin Lewis and
Shai Hope, getting the former to hole out at long-off. He nipped Nicholas
Pooran’s innings in the bud, having him caught at long-on. These two wickets
cost Shakib 54 runs in 8 overs. He came in to bat after a half-century stand by
the openers. He added 69 with Tamim Iqbal. For a change, Mushfiqur fell early.
Then followed a superb match-winning stand with Liton Das. Shakib’s
half-century came off 40 deliveries. The hundred partnership was raised in 13.4
overs. A lovely cover-drive brought Shakib his hundred off just 83 deliveries,
a brilliant successive ton. With Das matching Shakib stroke for stroke, they
ushered in a stirring seven-wicket victory with 8.3 overs to spare, the unbroken
stand yielding 189 runs in 22.3 overs. Shakib’s magnificent 124 had occupied
only 99 deliveries, punctuated by 16 boundaries. Das blasted 94 off a mere 69
balls, crashing 4 sixes and 8 fours. Bangladesh equalled their highest score in
the World Cup. They had scored 322 for four against Scotland in 2015. Shakib
reached 6,000 runs in One-day Internationals, the fastest to achieve the double
of 6,000 runs and 200 wickets. One more man-of-the-match prize was in his bag.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In another run-spree, Australia logged
up 381 for five. Shakib’s analysis was 6-0-50-0. After an early wicket, Shakib
and Tamim put on 79 runs in 14.2 overs. Shakib scored a-run-a-ball 41 with four
hits to the fence. Despite Mushfiqur’s unbeaten century and his 127-run fifth-wicket
stand in 16.1 overs with Mahmudullah, to overhaul the huge Aussie score was an
impossible task. Bangladesh, though, put up 333 for eight, their highest score
in the World Cup, surpassing their 322 for three in the previous match, and 322
for four against Scotland in 2015.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Shakib was more than a handful for the
Afghans. He put on 59 in 12.4 overs for the second wicket with Tamim Iqbal, and
61 in 12.2 overs for the third wicket with Mushfiqur. Shakib got to his
half-century off 66 balls. He was trapped leg-before by Mujeeb Ur Rahman for
51, having faced 69 balls and struck just one boundary. Mushfiqur went on to
score 83 (87 balls, 1 six, 4 fours), as Bangladesh totalled 262 for seven.
Shakib kept striking regularly with the ball, sweeping away the top of the
Afghanistan batting. He had Rahmat Shah caught on the pull, and got the captain
Gulbadin Naib pouched in the covers. Mohammad Nabi played on to him for a duck.
Asghar Afghan tried to sweep him but ended up offering a simple catch.
Najibullah Zadran charged him, missed and was stumped by Mushfiqur. Shakib
snared five wickets for 29 runs in his 10 overs, as Afghanistan were bowled out
for 200. There was no other claimant for the man-of-the-match award.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">The star allrounder </span><span lang="EN-GB">became the
second player to score a fifty and bag a five-wicket haul in a World Cup match.
In the 2011 World Cup Yuvraj Singh had captured 5 wickets for 31 runs and hit
an unbeaten 50 against Ireland. It was the first time that Shakib achieved this
feat in his ODI career. Shakib also became the third player to score a century
and pick up a five-wicket haul in a World Cup, as also in the World Cup as
a whole. Kapil Dev achieved it in 1983, and Yuvraj Singh in 2011. Both Kapil
Dev and Yuvraj Singh were part of World Cups winning teams in 1983 and 2011.
Shakib had scored 121 and an unbeaten 124 earlier in this 2019 World Cup. He
became the first Bangladesh bowler to bag a five-wicket haul in the World
Cup. The previous best bowling analysis for Bangladesh was Shafiul Islam's 4
for 21 against Ireland in 2011. This was Shakib's second five-wicket haul in
One-day Internationals.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bangladesh battled hard but just fell short
against India. Built on a huge foundation of a 180-run opening stand, India
hoisted 314 for nine. Shakib had Rishabh Pant caught at square-leg, giving away
41 runs. Most of the Bangladesh top-order fell after playing cameos. Several of
Shakib’s partnerships too were cut short when looking promising. He raised his
fifty from 58 balls. He was caught in the covers for 66 with the aid of six
boundaries, having faced 74 balls. The later batsmen battled hard, but
Bangladesh were bowled out for 286 with two overs remaining.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A
huge second-wicket partnership enabled Pakistan to log up 315 for nine. Shakib
was unable to take a wicket, giving away 57 runs. Once again none of his
partners was able to put up a big score. Liton Das stayed long enough to forge
a 58-run stand in 10.5 overs for the fourth wicket. Shakib reached his
half-century in 62 deliveries. He was finally dismissed caught behind trying to
square-cut. His 64 came off 77 balls, having struck six boundaries. Bangladesh
wound up at 221. They bowed out of the tournament finishing eighth in the
ten-team league.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Shakib had a tremendous World Cup with
scores of 75, 64, 121, 124 not out, 41, 51, 66 and 64; 606 runs in 8 matches at
an average of 86.57 and strike-rate of 96.03, two centuries, five fifties and a
41, a five-wicket haul and three man-of-the-match awards. He took 11 wickets at
36.27 apiece and an economy-rate of 5.39. Shakib achieved the distinction of
being the first to score 600 runs and take 10 wickets in a single World Cup. He
was delighted with his performance, “From the first match, I had a feeling that
something good will happen. I scored well in all opening matches in the
previous World Cups but I could not continue doing that. So I had to push
myself to not lose the momentum after gaining it. I was not surprised because I
knew what I had in my mind. It's just that what happened is the best that I
thought could have happened for me.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Going from strength to strength Shakib has, till the 2019 World
Cup, 1146 runs in 29 matches at an average of 45.84 and strike-rate of 82.26.
His 34 wickets have come at 35.94 apiece and 5.11 runs an over. He became
the first player in World Cup history to aggregate 1000 runs and bag
30 wickets, doubtlessly one of the top allrounders in the premier event.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span face="Calibri, "sans-serif"" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">(<i>Excerpt
from Indra Vikram Singh’s forthcoming book ‘World Cup Odyssey’</i>).</span></p>Indra Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800239858093978514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874360532152770138.post-20279471057982981632023-05-07T09:48:00.000-07:002023-05-07T09:48:54.017-07:00Road to the Cricket World Cup 2023. Hall of Fame: Abraham (A.B.) de Villiers<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <b style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Priceless
asset for the Proteas</span></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="tab-stops: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLmukAo8S6H31vhNvYQJxwZV6bLske0ShKqX9VyW0Cu55hoyoJmXj1MuO8OWVhiOm9rnCcDPe8T2-vNe2Lc2elA4mCWEOZji4n-fyKflhzuQP1M593zVXYnOjtEnZMQqOi5OgRfGvzzt6lm0iX6f2rWGv-IuZH8lDE3g-48lufx8c8fFJvRYNkt-c4Q/s4752/16-Abraham%20de%20Villiers%20(SA,%20from%20any%20One-day%20World%20Cup%20(29)%20(extra).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3168" data-original-width="4752" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLmukAo8S6H31vhNvYQJxwZV6bLske0ShKqX9VyW0Cu55hoyoJmXj1MuO8OWVhiOm9rnCcDPe8T2-vNe2Lc2elA4mCWEOZji4n-fyKflhzuQP1M593zVXYnOjtEnZMQqOi5OgRfGvzzt6lm0iX6f2rWGv-IuZH8lDE3g-48lufx8c8fFJvRYNkt-c4Q/w400-h266/16-Abraham%20de%20Villiers%20(SA,%20from%20any%20One-day%20World%20Cup%20(29)%20(extra).JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -.3pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BATTING: Matches
23, Innings 22, Not Out 3, Highest Score 162*, Runs 1207, Average 63.52,
Strike-rate 117.29, 100s 4, 50s 6, Catches 12</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">That he is a natural sportsman is
apparent from A.B. de Villiers’ batting and fielding, his fluid movements and
innate elegance. Technically sound and naturally aggressive at the top or in
the middle-order, keen of eye, agile behind the wickets and close to the bat,
fleet-footed in the outfield, he has been a priceless asset for the Proteas.
Dashing as well as reliable, in good times and in a crisis, de Villiers was a
captain’s dream. His World Cup record is evidence of all these attributes.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The start, though, was not so
brilliant in the 2007 World Cup against the weekenders from the Netherlands.
Opening the batting with skipper Graeme Smith, de Villiers was caught behind
off the second ball of the match for a duck. South Africa registered a 221-run
win.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He set the record right in another
stroll in Warner Park with the Scots, who raised a total of 186. Smith and de
Villiers made short work of the target with a spate of boundaries, hoisting the
fifty in 6.3 overs. Smith got to his half-century first, the hundred of the
innings came up in 12.2 overs, and de Villiers raised his fifty in 41 balls.
And then he hammered Glenn Rogers for two consecutive sixes over long-on,
before holing out in the same direction. His 62 came off 45 deliveries,
punctuated by 9 boundaries and the 2 sixes. The partnership was worth 134 in
15.5 overs. Smith missed his century by 9 runs, and South Africa raced to a
seven-wicket win in 23.2 overs.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Aussie run-machine churned out
377 runs for six wickets, Matthew Hayden slamming the then fastest World Cup hundred
in 66 balls, and Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke losing their wickets in the
nineties. All eight batsmen on show had a strike-rate of 100 or above. Smith
and de Villiers made a tremendous effort against the formidable attack. De
Villiers set the tone, stroking left-armer Nathan Bracken for a four and a six
off consecutive deliveries in the first over. When the great Glenn McGrath came
on, de Villiers hit him for three successive boundaries. This time de Villiers
was first to his half-century in 47 balls. The hundred of the innings came up
in 13.1 overs. Smith reached fifty from 41 deliveries. Soon de Villiers stepped
on the pedal. Just as the Aussies might have been worried, and de Villiers was
racing towards his hundred, came a turn in fortunes. A powerful direct hit from
long-leg by Shane Watson had de Villiers run out for 92, the same unfortunate
manner of dismissal and the same score as Clarke. His brilliant knock had
occupied only 70 deliveries, studded with 2 sixes and 14 fours. The partnership
had tallied 160 in just 21 overs and put the Proteas right on track. Soon Smith
began cramping, de Villiers was back as runner, but both had to return after a
while as the captain’s condition was too debilitating to continue. Then wickets
began to crumble regularly, Smith was back but dismissed soon for 74, the
procession continued and South Africa were bowled out for 294 in 48 overs.
Watson’s throw and Smith’s cramps might have pre-empted a thriller in St.
Kitts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The pendulum swung again as de
Villiers was bowled by Chaminda Vaas for another duck in the super-eight clash
with Sri Lanka. But South Africa pulled off a humdinger by one wicket even as
Lasith Malinga scythed through the tail with four wickets off consecutive
deliveries spanning two overs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There was a successive duck for de
Villiers as the lanky Irish paceman Boyd Rankin had him caught, trying to
square-cut one that bounced. An easy win was logged up, though, as expected.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Giant-killers Bangladesh upset
South Africa too. Having strung together 251 for eight, the Bangladesh bowlers
kept a stranglehold. Smith (12) and Jacques Kallis (32) departed after putting
up an aggressive posture. At the other end of the scale, de Villiers tried to
grit it out but was bowled by an armer from Abdur Razzak for 15, having been in
for 39 deliveries. Wickets kept tumbling and South Africa were beaten by 67
runs.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Pitted opposite hosts West Indies,
de Villiers atoned handsomely for his failures. He lost Smith early but aligned
with Kallis in a huge partnership. Kallis was in a belligerent mood but de
Villiers caught up with him, raising his fifty in 58 deliveries. The century
partnership came in 15.4 overs. They went on merrily until Kallis was bowled
for 81, the partnership worth 170 off 28.2 overs. As Herschelle Gibbs joined
him, a delighted de Villiers ushered in his first hundred in One-day
Internationals, having faced 114 balls. He soon strained his hamstring and
Smith returned the favour by running for him. Having decided to wield the big
stick while he could, de Villiers lashed out, clouting 4 sixes and 3 fours in a
hurry. Now in considerable strife, Corey Collymore had him caught for 146,
ending the mayhem of 130 deliveries in which he blasted 12 fours and 5 sixes.
Gibbs’ contribution was 18 in a stand of 70 in 7.5 overs. South Africa went on
to amass 356 for four. After a bit of rest, de Villiers was back on the field
and took a fine diving catch at point. West Indies fought gamely right down the
order but could not manage more than 289, having lost nine wickets. De Villiers
took away the man-of-the-match prize for his heroic knock.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Kiwis tripped the Proteas by
five wickets, and astonishingly de Villiers bagged his fourth duck of the
tournament. The pendulum was swinging wildly.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">South Africa fought back,
trouncing England by nine wickets in the last super-eight encounter. Chasing a
target of 155, de Villiers was off to a blazing start. Smith joined in the
boundary hitting mode and the fifty was up in 5.4 overs. The duo continued to
find the pickets until de Villiers edged one to the wicketkeeper. His 42
comprised 8 boundaries spanning 35 deliveries. The opening stand had realized
85 runs in 9.5 overs overs. Smith (89 not out, 58 balls, 13 fours) and Kallis
brought up victory in 19.2 overs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Aussies were unstoppable in
the semi-final, skittling the Proteas for 149 in less than 44 overs, Andrew
Hall drawing first blood with a brilliant haul of five for 18 in his 10 overs.
De Villiers was third out for 15, none of their batsmen got to fifty, and they
were defeated by seven wickets.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a strange kind of World Cup for de
Villiers, being dismissed for four ducks and two 15s in 10 innings, still
averaging 37.20 without a not out, and with the help of a century, a
near-century, a half-century, and a near half-century. Indeed de Villiers and
South Africa experienced a whole range of emotions in this tournament. The
stylish strokemaker, though, entertained all the while, well illustrated by his
strike-rate of 100.81 runs per hundred balls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">With Hashim Amla now in the side,
de Villiers batted down the order in the 2011 World Cup, and donning the big
gauntlets when required, a mark of his talent and versatility. West Indies
totalled 222 and then dismissed Amla and Kallis early. De Villiers joined Smith
at 20 for two, and was soon into his stride. The half-century of the stand came
up in 9.1 overs. Soon, de Villiers raised his fifty at a-run-a-ball. The
century stand arrived in 19.4 overs. Smith departed with the partnership worth
119 in 23.3 overs. There was still some work to do as Jean-Paul Duminy joined
in. A bit of rain halted play for a few minutes, and immediately after de
Villiers raised his century off 97 deliveries, the quickest by a South African
in the World Cup, and a successive one against the West Indies in the premier
event. They brought up victory in 42.5 overs, de Villiers unbeaten on 107,
having faced 105 balls and stroked 8 fours and 2 sixes. The partnership was
worth 84 off 14.2 overs. Leg-spinner Imran Tahir with his bag of four for 41 on
debut, was a contender for the man-of-the-match award, but de Villiers
eventually got the nod. The campaign had begun on the right note.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Morne van Wyk was given the
responsibility behind the sticks in the workout versus the Dutch, leaving de
Villiers free to concentrate on his run-getting. And he did get the runs in
glorious fashion after Smith and Kallis had departed just after the fifty had
been posted. Amla was now de Villiers’ associate in a huge partnership. After a
bit of a look-in, de Villiers was off the blocks. He brought up his fifty off
47 balls, as the pair cruised. The hundred of the stand came up in 16.1 overs.
Amla sailed to his ton in 121 deliveries. They raised the tempo, de Villiers
knocking up the fastest hundred by a South African in the World Cup, off 88
balls. He was now in overdrive, logging up the double-century partnership in 28
overs. Ryan ten Doeschate had Amla caught at point for 113, scored off 130
deliveries containing 8 fours. The stand was worth 221 in 29.2 overs. A
cricketing cliché showed up once again as de Villiers was run out in the next
over. Both partners were dismissed in quick succession after a big stand. His
superb 134 spanned just 98 deliveries and was embellished with 13 glorious hits
to the boundary and 4 sailing high above it. The later batsmen too enjoyed
themselves and South Africa ended up with 351 for five. Holland were bowled out
for 120. It was a successive hundred as well as man-of-the-match prize for de
Villiers in their first two matches of this tournament.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A low-scoring thriller at Chepauk
went England’s way by just 6 runs. Tahir (four for 38) and Robin Peterson
(three for 22) spun out the English for 171 in 45.4 overs. South Africa began
well, Amla and Smith raising 63 in 14.1 overs. Then the wheels began to come
off with three wickets gone in just about 5 overs. De Villiers and Faf du
Plessis gritted it out, adding 42 runs in 12.2 overs but England began striking
back. Shouldering arms to James Anderson, de Villiers found to his dismay that
the ball had grazed his off-stump. In an innings of 25 completely out of
character, de Villiers had not hit a single boundary in a stay off 44 balls.
Two more wickets fell at the same score, another after 3 runs. Van Wyk and Dale
Steyn raised hopes only to be dashed as the last three wickets crashed for 5
runs.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Another nerve-wracking encounter
took place with hosts India, but this time it was a high-scoring one that South
Africa managed to pull off with just 2 balls to go. India were propelled by
Sachin Tendulkar’s 99<sup>th</sup> international hundred, but Steyn pulled it
back for South Africa with a five-wicket haul. With the asking-rate hovering
around 7.5 runs per over, de Villiers joined forces with Kallis at 127 for two.
When Kallis was run out for 69 with the score reading 173 for three, the
required-rate had climbed close to 9. Joined by Duminy, the boundaries started
flowing. A hard sweep by de Villiers finished in the hands of square-leg. His
52 had come off 39 deliveries, and he had struck 6 fours and a six. Virtually
every batsman contributed to the cause, South Africa managing to scrape through
just in time with three wickets to spare.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Having been rested in the last two
league games with Ireland and Bangladesh, de Villiers was back in the
quarter-final face-off with New Zealand, and with the wicketkeeping gloves too.
The Kiwis posted 221 for eight. After the early loss of Amla, Smith and Kallis
put on 61 runs. Then the Jacob Oram magic started taking effect with the scalp
of Smith. Things seemed on course with Kallis and de Villiers in charge but a
brillant catch on the mid-wicket boundary by Oram sent Kallis on his way.
Duminy did not last long, but another run out of de Villiers two balls later
was a huge blow. The sight of de Villiers sprawled on the turf as he dived
desperately for the crease might have been symbolic of what lay in store for
his team. His 40-ball 35 was studded with 4 fours. Oram went on to bag four for
39, and South Africa crashed out, beaten by 49 runs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was a superb tournament for de
Villiers, having scored 353 runs in 5 matches with an average of 88.25. A
strike-rate of 108.28 and 2 hundreds and a fifty were proof of his brilliant
form. Unfortunately, his team had faltered once again in the final stages of a
World Cup.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The opening encounter in 2015 did
not stretch the Proteas much. Zimbabwe did grab a few early wickets, de
Villiers at no. 4. and at the helm, falling for 25 off 36 deliveries. </span><span lang="EN-US">A huge unbroken partnership of 256 runs in 29.4 overs between David
Miller and Jean-Paul Duminy carried South Africa to 339 for four. It was a
record for the fifth wicket in the World Cup and in all One-Day Internationals.
It was also South Africa’s highest partnership for any wicket. The Zimbabwe
top-order battled hard but could only progress till 277.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: verdana;">India put up a challenging 307 for seven. Along with Faf du Plessis,
de Villiers put on 68 in 12.3 overs. He was unfortunately run out for 30 off 38
deliveries. His side could not recover from this blow, losing wickets
regularly, and folding up for 177.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After this reverse, South Africa needed
to get their act together. They, and de Villiers, did and how! After Amla and
du Plessis put on 127 runs for the second wicket in 23.4 overs, de Villiers was
in irresistible form as the hapless West Indies looked on. He dashed to his
fifty off 30 deliveries. His century off 52 balls was the second fastest in the
World Cup after Irishman Kevin O’Brien’s ton from 50 deliveries in 2011. A few
days later Australia’s Glenn Maxwell crashed a 51-ball hundred. De Villiers’
150 in 64 deliveries was the fastest in the World Cup and One-day
Internationals. He now had to his credit the fastest 50, 100 and 150 in One-day
Internationals. In his blistering innings of 149 (44 balls, 16 sixes, 9 fours)
against the West Indies at Johannesburg in January 2015, he blasted his fifty
in a mere 16 deliveries and hundred off 31 balls. Having hammered 116 runs in
boundaries (8 sixes and 17 fours), de Villiers was third in the list in the
World Cup after Martin Guptill and Chris Gayle. Later Eoin Morgan hit 118 in
2019. There were no dot balls in South Africa’s batting powerplay from the 36<sup>th</sup>
to the 40<sup>th</sup> over, with Rilee Rossouw and de Villiers hitting 72 runs
without being separated. The fourth-wicket partnership of 134 between Rossouw
and de Villiers came in only 12.3 overs. The unfinished sixth-wicket
partnership of 80 between de Villiers and Farhaan Behardien came off just 3.2
overs. De Villiers blasted 68 of those.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-GB">West Indies skipper Jason Holder gave
away 34 runs in an over (including two no-balls), which is the most after
Holland’s Daan van Bunge who was hit for 6 sixes by the South African
Herschelle Gibbs in 2007. All the runs off the bat in this Holder over were
smashed by de Villiers. In another over, de Villiers hit Holder for 30 runs. De
Villiers’ unbeaten 162 was the second-highest score for South Africa after Gary
Kirsten’s 188 not out against United Arab Republic at Rawalpindi in 1996. The
South African total of 408 for five was their best in the World Cup, and the
highest by any team in One-day Internationals in Australia, until they logged
up 411 for four in their very next match versus Ireland, and then hosts
Australia piled up 417 for six off the Afghanistan bowling. Shell-shocked by this
hammering, West Indies collapsed to 151 all out. South Africa’s winning margin
of 257 runs was the joint highest in the World Cup until Australia defeated
Afghanistan by 275 runs later. There was no other claimant to the
man-of-the-match prize</span><span lang="EN-US">.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There was another massive second-wicket
partnership of 247 runs in 36.1 overs between Amla and du Plessis off the
Irish. Capitalising on it, de Villiers struck 24 off 9 deliveries with 2 sixes
and a four, being caught at backward-point trying to reverse sweep. This time
South Africa hoisted 411 for four. It was now a matter of playing out the 50
overs for Ireland. They lasted 45, putting together 210 runs.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In a match truncated by the
weather, Pakistan were bowled out for 222 in 46.4 overs, two deliveries short
of their allocated quota. According to the Duckworth-Lewis method, South Africa
required 232 from 47 overs. De Villiers came in at 67 for three after 10.1
overs. He was at his belligerent best as wickets fell around him. He raised his
half-century off 45 deliveries, and continued his carnage. With eight wickets
already down for 200, it was up to de Villiers to drive his side home. He
launched into a short one but could only nick it to the wicketkeeper. His 77
came off 58 balls, studded with 5 sixes and 7 fours. South Africa were bowled
out for 202 in 33.3 overs.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US">After this reverse, it was
a more relaxed outing with United Arab Emirates. Back at no. 4, his boundaries
were interspersed with singles. He raised his fifty off 54 balls as he settled
into a </span><span lang="EN-GB">fourth-wicket
stand of 108 runs with David Miller in 17.5 overs. De Villiers then changed
gears with a flurry of sixes and fours. One short of his century, he slashed at
one, to be taken at short third-man. His 4 sixes took his tally to 20 in the
tournament at that stage, the most in any World Cup, leaping ahead of the
Matthew Hayden, who had smashed 18 sixes in the 2007 event, while Chris Gayle
had tonked 18 sixers till then in this 2015 competition.</span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span lang="EN-GB">De
Villiers, with 36 sixes, had the maximum in all World Cup tournaments, leaving
behind Ricky Ponting who had hit 31. He hit 6 fours besides in his 82-ball
knock. South Africa racked up 341 for six. UAE could manage just 195.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the quarter-final, Sri
Lanka were bowled out for 133. South Africa cruised to a nine-wicket win.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-US">In contrast, the semi-final
was an edge-of-the-seat thriller, disrupted by the weather and going down to
the penultimate delivery. The </span><span lang="EN-GB">fourth-wicket partnership of 103 in 12.1
overs between du Plessis (82 runs, 107 balls, 1 six, 7 fours) and de Villiers,
and the pyrotechnics of David Miller (49 runs, 18 balls, 3 sixes, 6 fours) at
the end took South Africa to 281 for five in their 43 overs. De Villiers again
fired on all cylinders racing to his fifty off 32 deliveries. He was unbeaten
on 65 from 45 balls. The crucial encounter was balanced on a razor’s edge right
through the Kiwi innings. There were 12 runs required off the last over with
the ball in the hands of the great Dale Steyn, then five runs off two balls.
Steyn bowled full, and Grant Elliott swung. The ball sailed over long-on for a
six. New Zealand advanced jubilantly to the final with one delivery to spare.
It was heart-break for South Africa yet again.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-GB">It was once more a brilliant World Cup
for de Villiers, 482 runs in 7 innings at an average of 96.40, and a
strike-rate of 144 with a century and 3 fifties. His aggregate was
second-highest for South Africa in a World Cup just behind Jacques Kallis’
tally of 485 in 2007.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are stories often circulating
about de Villiers being champion at many sports. He clarified to The Indian
Express: “Some of them are true, while others are not. I have played
almost all sports growing up, but was not as good as mentioned. Like in the
case of badminton, it is claimed that I was U-19 national champion. That
is not true. Tennis was one of my strongest suits. Also rugby. But slowly, as
the years went by, my priority became cricket.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">South Africa could not ask for
more of de Villiers in the showpiece event. A tally of more than 1200 runs, average
above 60, strike-rate close to 120, 4 hundreds, 6 fifties, versatile with the
bat and in the field. In the elite list of 21 batsmen who have scored 1,000
runs, de Villiers has the best average as well as strike-rate, in fact the only
one among them to strike at above 100. He has the second-highest number of
sixes in the premier event, 37 to Gayle’s 49; and the third-highest sixes in a
World Cup, 21 in 2015 to Gayle’s 26 in the same event, and Eoin Morgan’s 22 in
2019. Bowing out in endearing, spectacular fashion, de Villiers reserved a
permanent place in the pantheon of the greats, one of the most scintillating
strikers of the ball.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">(<i>Excerpt
from Indra Vikram Singh’s forthcoming book ‘World Cup Odyssey’</i>).</span></span></p>Indra Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800239858093978514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874360532152770138.post-62338764451823565062023-04-08T03:48:00.000-07:002023-04-08T03:48:58.053-07:00Road to the Cricket World Cup 2023. Hall of Fame: Lasith Malinga<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-outline-level: 1; tab-stops: 0cm; text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Slinging in the lethal yorkers</span></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-outline-level: 1; tab-stops: 0cm; text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirM1Wyfq7u3-vb5jxpHXIdZeR_iySelS21DO3hDnxfvtEkJ5XnTu79xoO0ubDYraS5GXu5IhW-j0tAu5Z1iBWqmzHj1kxXFnvF81-oD_hsZGPBuK11rvYEBdqFwvXflQnBwqfS-P9wkvm0_OnSu0aaKubohiOg7LE0wr0SB0rjK0AANp_R140_hCk5Q/s3216/23C0700856%20Lasith%20Malinga.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2136" data-original-width="3216" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirM1Wyfq7u3-vb5jxpHXIdZeR_iySelS21DO3hDnxfvtEkJ5XnTu79xoO0ubDYraS5GXu5IhW-j0tAu5Z1iBWqmzHj1kxXFnvF81-oD_hsZGPBuK11rvYEBdqFwvXflQnBwqfS-P9wkvm0_OnSu0aaKubohiOg7LE0wr0SB0rjK0AANp_R140_hCk5Q/w400-h266/23C0700856%20Lasith%20Malinga.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lasith
Malinga. Only one to snare two hat-tricks, including four wickets in four
deliveries, in the World Cup.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: verdana; text-align: left;">ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BOWLING: Balls 1394, Maidens
11, Runs 1281, Wickets 56, Average 22.87, Best Bowling 6/38, Runs/Over 5.51</span><b style="font-family: verdana; text-align: right;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A quaint action
somewhere between the underarm and the overarm, facilitating the slipping in of
lethal yorkers beneath the willow, putting at risk batsmen’s toes as much as
the base of stumps, a thick mop of streaked curly locks bouncing in his
spirited run-up, have made the little pace dynamo unique as well as an
unforgettable character of the game. Lasith Malinga is as original as one can
find, a strike bowler like no other.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The bemused
batsmen from Bermuda would have seen nothing like him. Like the other bowlers
he enjoyed the easy picking, returning with an analysis of 5-2-10-3. The
newcomers collapsed to 78 all out.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Having upset
India, Bangladesh could not offer much resistance to the Lankan attack. Malinga
had Tamim Iqbal caught behind by Kumar Sangakkara. He then got Aftab Ahmed to
top-edge a short ball, for Sanath Jayasuriya to take the skier at square-leg.
Malinga had tailender Abdur Razzak snapped up by Sangakkara again as the
delivery took off from a length just outside off. Bangladesh were bowled out
for 112 in 37 overs. Malinga’s booty this time was three for 27 off 6
overs. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A desperate India
could not mount a challenge and packed up for 185. Malinga picked up a late
wicket. Sri Lanka had won all their Group B matches with ease, their bowling
outfit having cleaned up all 30 wickets.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was in the
super-eight clash with South Africa that Malinga created a sensation towards
the end. After 7 overs he had taken no wicket, having conceded 43 runs. Chasing
a target of 210, the Proteas were sailing at 206 for five in the 45<sup>th</sup>
over. Malinga’s fifth delivery was a slower one that foxed Shaun Pollock and
hit his leg-stick. Next ball, Andrew Hall spooned a yorker into the hands of
Upul Tharanga in the covers. One run came off the next over. Jacques Kallis,
batting on 86, tried to finish off the match by square-driving the first
delivery of Malinga’s next over, but to his chagrin only edged it into the
gloves of Sangakkara. Malinga had grabbed the fifth hat-trick of the World Cup
as the nervous South Africans searched for those winning runs. Makhaya Ntini
could barely get his bat down before the lethal yorker smashed into his middle
stump. Malinga had created a sensation around the Providence Stadium with his
four-in-four devastation. He conceded just one run in his last four deliveries
as the batsmen fiddled around, barely surviving. A maiden followed, and then
Malinga’s first delivery missed the outside edge by a whisker. Amid mounting
tension, Robin Peterson edged the next to the boundary, just managing to pull
off a win by one wicket. Malinga returned with four wickets for 54, nearly
sneaking a highly improbable win. It is drama like this that Malinga was always
likely to conjure. He shared the man-of-the-match award with Charl Langeveldt
who had a five-wicket haul to his name. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Once Sri Lanka
had posted 303 for five, hosts West Indies were subdued easily. Chris Gayle was
sucked into Malinga’s delivery way outside off, hitting a steepler that was
taken at long-on, the first wicket to fall at 20. Shivnaraine Chanderpaul,
playing a strange kind of innings having scored 17 off 53 balls without a
boundary, suddenly decided to alter his plans. He hit an off-side four and then
used the long handle against Muttiah Muralitharan, periodically launching the
great off-spinner for 4 sixes. As Malinga bowled the first ball of the 42<sup>nd</sup>
over, Chanderpaul sent it sailing over square-leg for his 5<sup>th</sup> six.
Predictably, Malinga yorked him off-stump next ball. Sri Lanka went on to
register a 113-run win. This time Malinga bagged two for 34 off 5 overs.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There was another
cliff-hanger with England. After Sri Lanka had put up 235, Chaminda Vaas
dismissed captain Michael Vaughan for a duck. Malinga then trapped Ed Joyce
leg-before, and suddenly England were 11 for two after 5.2 overs. The following
batsmen battled hard, but England were in trouble at 133 for six with 33.3
overs having been bowled. Ravi Bopara and wicketkeeper Paul Nixon staged a
rearguard act, carrying the score to 220. Off the fifth ball of the penultimate
over, Malinga had Nixon holing out in the covers. Bopara drove the last
delivery through the covers to the ropes. There were now 12 runs required off
the final over and 3 off the very last ball. Dilhara Fernando bowled a beauty
that knocked the top of Bopara’s off-stump. Sri Lanka pulled off a two-run
victory. Malinga’s share was two wickets for 50 in his quota of 10 overs.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">He missed the
last three super-eight matches with an ankle injury but was back for the
semi-final. With Sri Lanka having piled up 289 for five, Malinga struck
straightaway, his third delivery screaming into skipper Stephen Fleming’s pad
in front of the stumps. That was his solitary wicket at an expense of 21 runs
with two maidens in 7 overs. New Zealand folded up for 208. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Adam Gilchrist
made the final his own with his hurricane hundred but Malinga broke his huge
opening stand of 172 with Matthew Hayden. The big left-hander was playing a
remarkably subdued supporting role to the marauding wicketkeeper when he tried
to loft Malinga over the covers, for Mahela Jayawardene to take a fine catch
springing up just at the right moment. Later he castled Shane Watson but
Australia hoisted a mammoth 281 for four in the truncated 38-overs-a-side
match. Malinga’s two wickets cost 49 runs in 8 overs, and he bowled the only
maiden of the innings. Sri Lanka faded along with the light and had to be
content with the runners-up prize.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Malinga took
wickets in each of the eight matches that he played, logging a tally of 18 at a
brilliant average of 15.77, evidence of his striking ability. He bowled with
fire right through, an ideal foil to the experienced Vaas.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Once again he had
to sit out the first two matches of the 2011 World Cup. Having recuperated, he
was back and how! The first ball of his second over was a venomous trademark
inswinging yorker that made a mess of the hapless Kenyan opener Seren Waters,
and sent him packing leg-before. Another perfect indipping yorker in his second
spell disturbed the furniture behind Collins Obuya. The last ball of his
seventh over was once again the toe-crusher that found Tanmay Mishra in front
of the sticks. He churned out another lethal yorker first up in his next over
that crashed into Peter Ongondo’s middle stump. Malinga was once again on a
hat-trick as Shem Ngoche took guard. Predictably, it was another of those
under-the-bat thunderbolts which was too good for the no. 10 and darted into
the stumps. Malinga had become the first to rip out two hat-tricks in the World
Cup. After a wide that ran away to the fine-leg boundary and a dot ball, the
fourth legitimate delivery of the over was an action replay of his earlier
yorkers, which the mesmerized Elijah Otieno could do nothing about and the
leg-stick took the brunt. Kenya were all out for 142; Malinga had a bounty of
six wickets, having expended 38 runs in 7.4 overs. Sri Lanka took only 18.4
overs to speed to a nine-wicket triumph. Malinga was man-of-the-match. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The game versus
Australia was washed out after less than 33 overs in the Lankan innings.
Malinga went wicketless as Zimbabwe were trounced easily. There was one wicket
for him at the end as the Kiwis wilted. The thrashing of England in the
quarter-final also had him pick up a sole wicket.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After this lean
phase, he bowled the first over in the semi-final, and then returned only in
the 22<sup>nd</sup> over. That vicious inswinging yorker, for the umpteenth
time, went right through Martin Guptill and crashed into the timber. As Scott
Stryis went after Malinga, Kane Williamson too tried to emulate his senior but
was another victim of the Malinga patent, the pad in the way right in front. In
his next over, Nathan McCullum tried a mighty swing to leg off one that came on
slowly and merely nicked it to Sangakkara. Malinga’s haul was three for 55 in 9
overs, with New Zealand being bowled out for 217. The Lankan batsmen ensured a
five-wicket win.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Jayawardene gave
the side a great opportunity in the final with a magnificent century, and
Malinga provided a tremendous opening with two monumental early strikes.
Virender Sehwag was rapped on the pad trying to turn the second delivery of the
innings and was gone for a duck. He then stunned the boisterous Wankhede
Stadium crowd and indeed all of India, moving the first delivery of his fourth
over away from a good length. Sachin Tendulkar tried to square-drive, only to
get a thickish edge for Sangakkara to fling himself and cling on to the huge
prize. Suddenly, India were 31 for two with doubts creeping into the minds of millions
of fans. Gradually they extricated themselves from the tangle, built up
momentum and brought up victory with a flourish. Young Virat Kohli recalled, “I
was afraid of facing Lasith Malinga’s yorker. Already I was nervous. But after
two or three balls balls, I settled down.” Sri Lanka were worthy runners-up
again, and Malinga finished with two for 42 in 9 overs.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The little
powerhouse had played his role, bagging 13 wickets on pitches that were unkind
to pacemen for the most part. Once again he had a top-class average of
20.14. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hosts New Zealand
ran away with the opening encounter in 2015, hitting up 331 for six. Malinga
had one of his worst outings, being wicketless while conceding 84 runs in his
10 overs. Sri Lanka packed up for 233.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There was an
easier face-off next, but the spirited Afghans stretched the Lankans. Malinga
was close to his best, though not initially. As Afghanistan built up their
innings, Malinga ran through the lower order. He went past Mohammad Nab’s
swinging willow, to strike the timber behind. He had Mirwais Ashraf edging into
the hands of long-leg. Finally, he grabbed the last wicket, having Afsar Zazai
snapped up at slip. Malinga returned with a bag of three for 41 in 9.4 overs as
Afghanistan totalled 232. Sri Lanka had to dig deep to pull off a four-wicket
win.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As the top three
Sri Lankan batsmen began their run-spree in the tournament, Sri Lanka hoisted
332 for one off the Bangla attack. Malinga stunned them immediately, bringing
the second delivery in sharply to Tamim Iqbal, and whizzing between bat and pad
to rock his furniture. As the middle-order tried to put up a semblance of a
fight, Malinga bowled a nasty short one, taking Sabbir Rahman’s glove and
flying into the bigger gloves of wicketkeeper Sangakkara. His inexorable yorker
slipped under the bat of the bemused last man Taskin Ahmed as Bangladesh folded
up for 240. Malinga finished with three for 35 off 9 overs.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">England logged up
309 for six, Malinga taking his lone wicket of James Taylor, having him caught
at point, conceding 63 runs in his 10 overs. Sri Lanka heaped humiliation with
a nine-wicket triumph.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Malinga caused an
early setback to Australia, David Warner mistiming a slower one into the hands
of cover. He returned to castle Michael Clarke, finishing with two for 59.
Australia hoisted 376 for nine. Sri Lanka put up a game fight but could advance
only till 312.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Scotland were
easy prey. Sri Lanka hammered 363 for nine. Off the second delivery, Kyle
Coetzer looped a simple catch back to Malinga. Later in the innings he had Rob
Taylor holing out to mid-on. His two wickets cost him 29 runs in 9 overs.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The quarter-final
was a one-sided event with Sri Lanka collapsing to 133 all out. South Africa
sauntered to a nine-wicket win, Malinga getting the lone wicket of Hashim Amla.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Though Malinga
picked up wickets regularly, it was least productive of his four World Cup
stints. His 12 wickets in 7 matches cost 29.50 each at an economy-rate of 5.56.
It was the only World Cup in which he did not bag at least a four-wicket
haul. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sri Lanka were
not the same force in 2019, mainly due to the retirement of the stalwarts
Jayawardene, Sangakkara and Dilshan. They were skittled out for 136 in the
opening face-off with New Zealand. Malinga battled on but the Kiwis brought up
a facile ten-wicket victory.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Restricted to 201
by the Afghans, Malinga had Mohammad Shahzad caught at mid-wicket to trigger a
slide. He came back to terminate the innings, yorking Dawlat Zadran and Hamid
Hassan. Afghanistan folded up for 152, Malinga returning with three for 39 in
6.4 overs. The fixtures with Pakistan and Bangladesh were washed out.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As the
Australians went about buildings their innings, Malinga castled Steve Smith who
was associated in a huge 173-run third-wicket partnership with Aaron Finch. The
lone wicket cost 61 runs in his 10 overs in a total of 334 for seven. Sri Lanka
were only able to score 247.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was Malinga of
yore in the encounter with the favourites England. Sri Lanka put up 232 for
nine. A Malinga special trapped Jonny Bairstow leg-before off the second
delivery of the innings for a duck. Soon he had the other opener James Vince
taken at slip. Joe Root was battling through but Malinga had him caught behind
down the leg-side. Not much later, his typically full delivery trapped Jos
Buttler leg-before. The lower order could not provide much resistance, and
England were bowled out for 212. Malinga bagged a rich harvest of four for 43
off his 10 overs. It was a special victory for Sri Lanka. Malinga was man-of-the-match
for breaking the English back, as he captured his 50<sup>th</sup> World Cup
wicket, the quickest to do so.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Proteas were
too much of a handful. Sri Lanka were able to post only 203. Malinga’s
in-swinging yorker crashed into the stumps of Quinton de Kock. That was the
only breakthrough that the Lankans were able to make. South Africa sailed to a
nine-wicket win. The solitary wicket cost Malinga 47 runs in his 10 overs.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There was course
correction when Sri Lanka came up against the West Indies. The batsmen logged
up 338 for six. Malinga was back at his best. His short one took Sunil Ambris’
top-edge on the way to the wicketkeeper. Soon, Shai Hope played on to his
slower one. West Indies were in trouble at 22 for two. Despite a fightback the
West Indies fell short. Malinga returned towards end of the innings, pitching
it up and trapping Oshane Thomas leg-before. West Indies finished at 315 for
nine. Malinga bagged three for 55.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In their last
league match, Sri Lanka posted 264 for seven. The Indian top-order took the
game away. Malinga could only take one wicket for 82 as Sri Lanka bowed out of
the tournament.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was a fine
effort by the veteran. Picking up 13 wickets in 7 matches at an average of
28.69 and strike-rate of 6.04, Malinga played a vital part in each of Sri
Lanka’s three victories. Ever a threat with his full-pitched deliveries, mixed
with the odd short one, he remained a talisman for Sri Lanka even at nearly 36
years of age. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;">With 56 wickets
to his name, Malinga is third in the list of World Cup wicket-takers behind
Glenn McGrath and his great compatriot Muttiah Muralitharan. His strike-rate of
24.8 and average of 22.87 are further evidence of his incisive bowling. This
bundle of energy has been an invaluable asset for Sri Lanka. Sadly, injuries
prevented the full blooming of his Test career but he carried on in the shorter
formats, electrifying crowds around the world with his stunning strikes.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 106%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">(<i>Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s forthcoming
book ‘World Cup Odyssey’</i>).</span></span>Indra Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800239858093978514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874360532152770138.post-15194051675707708192023-03-10T03:23:00.000-08:002023-03-10T03:23:53.582-08:00Road to the Cricket World Cup 2023. Hall of Fame: Michael Clarke<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Joyride in an Aussie see-saw</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDscc1rxKML0BYZLTRAM-qkkOX1tZEmU5RWTvTWqdxYbU4psXzfIh-M37iMIDKd7qepeHas1dvn07WoxKS__tiukX8BFhAHxgWNyLVzWgYcNJB7ZdJpsIEZSOaj3r2plVbeCqQZcny4yi7gNE0MugYe1X2f80PmoyrJtoHyyNFp0kr9-gZXZNY-9k-w/s1828/KC6D7982%20Michael%20Clarke.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1828" data-original-width="1056" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDscc1rxKML0BYZLTRAM-qkkOX1tZEmU5RWTvTWqdxYbU4psXzfIh-M37iMIDKd7qepeHas1dvn07WoxKS__tiukX8BFhAHxgWNyLVzWgYcNJB7ZdJpsIEZSOaj3r2plVbeCqQZcny4yi7gNE0MugYe1X2f80PmoyrJtoHyyNFp0kr9-gZXZNY-9k-w/w231-h400/KC6D7982%20Michael%20Clarke.JPG" width="231" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Michael
Clarke led Australia back to the pinnacle in 2015.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BATTING: Matches 25, Innings 21, Not Out 7, Highest Score 93*, Runs 888, Average 63.42, Strike-rate 94.16, 100s -, 50s 8, Catches 12 </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is not easy to bat no.4 in a line-up when the preceding batsmen are Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting, which is what Michael Clarke did for the most part in the 2007 World Cup. Nor is it easy to fill the void left behind by the elegant Mark Waugh. Yet this is what Clarke had to live up to. He was hailed as the next great batsman from Australia, successor to Ponting as captain and leading batsman. Clarke had it all: abundant natural talent, technique, poise, elegance, strokes, temperament. It was almost as if the cricketing world was waiting for him to emerge from the shadows of his great senior and express himself on a stage all his own, and he did. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Clarke did all that was asked of him in the 2007 World Cup. In his 9 innings he hit up two nineties, two other half-centuries and two forties, was never dismissed in single digit, and had a brilliant average of 87.20 and strike-rate of 94.98. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He shared a World Cup record fourth-wicket partnership of 204 with Brad Hodge against Holland at Basseterre, St. Kitts, as he logged his top score of 93 not out in the tournament. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Coming up against a major side for the first time in the tournament, Clarke registered his second successive ninety. Gilchrist and Hayden had already smashed the South African bowlers all over Warner Park, racing to 106 inside 15 overs. Hayden and Ponting then added 61 in 8.4 overs. When Clarke walked in at 167 for two only 23.3 overs had been bowled, and Hayden had blazed to the fastest World Cup century in 66 balls. Along with the skipper, Clarke put on 161 runs in just 21.4 overs. Ponting departed for a run-a-ball 91, and shortly afterwards Clarke was run out for 92. He had played 75 deliveries and hammered 7 fours and 4 sixes. Australia zoomed to their highest total of 377 for six in the premier event. Try as they might, it was a bridge too far for the Proteas, though Graeme Smith and Abraham de Villiers raised 160 first up in a mere 20.6 overs, and the latter was dismissed for the third ninety of the match, also tragically run out. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Australia lost two wickets relatively early against the West Indies in the first super-eight match. Clarke joined Hayden at 76 for two in the 15th over. They put on 98 in 16.1 overs before Dwayne Bravo trapped Clarke lbw for 41, having faced 47 deliveries and struck 4 boundaries. Hayden went on to hit up Australia’s highest score of 158 in the World Cup, paving the way for another easy win. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">England set a target of 248, and Clarke combined with Ponting again in a 112-run third-wicket stand in 21 overs. The captain was run out for 86 but Clarke saw Australia home with his unbeaten 55 off 63 balls with the help of 2 fours. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hardly any team was able to challenge Australia for the second consecutive World Cup. Sri Lanka could only post a total of 226. Clarke put on 47 this time with Ponting, but failed to keep a drive off leg-spinner Malinga Bandara on the ground and was taken in the covers for 23. Australia sailed to another seven-wicket victory. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As Hayden came up with his third hundred of the tournament, off the Kiwi bowling, Clarke featured in a 72-run partnership with the burly opener in just 9.4 overs. In a rare misjudgement, he shouldered arms to a slower one from left-armer James Franklin and was bowled middle-stump for 49 after negotiating 46 deliveries and carving out 7 boundaries. Australia went on to amass 348 for six, coasting to an easy 215-run triumph. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Aussies were hardly tested in the tournament. Would the Proteas stretch them in the semi-final? The answer came very quickly as South Africa were bowled out for 149. They did get Gilchrist early, and then Ponting too, but Clarke linked up with Hayden in a 66-run stand. He brought up a facile seven-wicket win in the company of Andrew Symonds, top-scoring with an unbeaten 60 from 86 balls, having struck 8 fours. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Clarke’s job was more or less over as Gilchrist turned the truncated final into a no-contest with his blitzkrieg. But he did get the opportunity to bowl his slow left-arm spin, and knocked over the stumps of top-scorer Sanath Jayasuriya and Chamara Silva. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The talented Clarke was always at hand to back up the scintillating deeds of the big three in the Australian line-up in the hugely successful 2007 World Cup campaign. Invariably, his brief was to complete the work of the seniors and he did so with panache and style. He had already built up a formidable international record. The future beckoned Michael Clarke. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">By 2011, the team was already in decline but they began the tournament well. They faced Zimbabwe, a team fighting hard to find its feet back in international cricket. Shane Watson and Brad Haddin raised an opening partnership of 61, then skipper Ponting helped Watson add another 79, but both were out in quick succession. Clarke then built another partnership steadily with Cameron White. He hit his first boundary off his 25th delivery. Still, the runs came mainly in singles. The pair added 63 before White departed. He returned unbeaten with 58 off 55 balls, having struck 4 boundaries. Australia totalled 262 for six. It seemed a measured performance by a team short on self-belief, and determined to ease into the campaign on the right note against one of the weaker teams. Zimbabwe were dismissed for 171 with all the bowlers getting a good workout. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Australian bowlers did well to bowl out the Kiwis for 206 in 45.1 overs. This time Watson and Haddin put up 133. Clarke batted steadily, once again remaining not out, having scored 24 in 37 deliveries and picking up 4 fours along the way, helping bring up victory by 7 wickets in 34 overs.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There was a long wait of eight days before the next game, made longer by rain in Colombo after less than 33 overs in the Sri Lankan innings, resulting in abandonment. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another eight days later they took on Kenya but most of the batsmen were in good nick. Clarke allied with Michael Hussey in a brilliant fifth-wicket stand of 114 in a bit more than 16 overs. Hussey departed after scoring a rapid half-century. Clarke now got into belligerent mode. He was approaching his first century in the World Cup, having already equalled his highest score of 93, and averaging a Bradmanesque 122.20 in 12 innings at this point. But it was not to be, as he holed out at long-on. Clarke had finally got an average in this World Cup, another Bradman-like 175 in his three innings. He had struck 7 boundaries and a six in 80 balls. Australia finished on 324 for six. The Kenyan batsmen, particularly Collins Obuya and Tanmay Mishra, did well to respond with 264 for six. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Canada were bowled out for 211. Clarke was unbeaten with 16 as his side rung in an easy seven-wicket victory. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now came a challenging final group match against Pakistan, the last team to beat Australia in the World Cup way back on 23rd May 1999 at Headingley by a mere 10 runs in a high-scoring match. Clarke came to the crease at 75 for two in the 19th over. He battled through as wickets fell at regular intervals on a wicket of variable bounce, aiding lateral movement. Abdul Razzaq bowled him as he attempted a pull. His 34 had taken 48 balls and contained 2 boundaries. Australia collapsed to 176 all out in 46.4 overs. A Herculean bowling effort by Brett Lee could not prevent the 34-match unbeaten World Cup spell of the Australians from being broken. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This set up a high pressure quarter-final with home favourites India at Ahmedabad. As Ponting scored a vintage century, Clarke top-edged a sweep off player-of-the-tournament Yuvraj Singh, and holed out at mid-wicket for just 8, his first failure of the tournament at a crucial juncture. Australia did put up 260 for six but the inspired Indians won with relative ease. The days of glory in the World Cup were over for the time being. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Clarke had built up an impressive record in the World Cup, 669 runs in 15 innings at a brilliant average of 83.62, albeit with 7 not outs, and a top strike-rate of 93.56. These were mainly performances when Australia were riding high. When the going got tough, Clarke did not dazzle so bright. Nevertheless, the polished batsman that he was, he carried out his duties magnificently most of the time. Back trouble begun affecting his career. That was the challenge he had to deal with in his quest to be ranked among the true greats of batsmanship. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Captain in 2015, Clarke missed the opening fixture, while the second was washed out. In a match dominated by left-arm pacemen, Australia were dismissed for 151 by the Kiwis, with Trent Boult capturing five wickets. Clarke was caught in the covers for 12. Australia hit back, Mitchell Starc snaring six victims of his own. But in a nail-biting finish, New Zealand eked out a one-wicket win.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Australia recorded the biggest win in the World Cup, trouncing Afghanistan by 275 runs. Clarke did not bat. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After the early dismissal of the openers to the Sri Lankan attack, Clarke settled into a fine partnership with Steve Smith. He gradually opened up and began scoring at a-run-a-ball. They put on 134 runs in 23.1 overs before Clarke was yorked by Lasith Malinga for 68, having struck 6 fours. Smith was out soon for 72. They had set up the platform for a fierce assault by Glenn Maxwell. He raced to his fifty in only 26 balls, and blasted his century off a mere 51 balls, second fastest in the World Cup after Irishman Kevin O’Brien’s whirlwind hundred in 50 deliveries in 2011. This was Australia’s fastest hundred in One-day Internationals. Australia totalled 376 for nine. There was a spirited chase by the Lankans, led by a fine hundred from Kumar Sangakkara. But the task was too great, and they folded up for 312 in 46.2 overs. The match aggregate of 688 runs was the highest in a World Cup game, surpassing the 676 for 18 wickets in 99.5 overs in the India-England tied match in 2011. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Scotland were bowled out for 130. Clarke opened the batting, and again scored a polished run-a-ball 47, finding the boundary regularly. He smacked 2 sixes and 7 fours before being caught at square-leg. Australia brought up a seven-wicket win. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pakistan could put up just 213 in the quarter-final. Clarke was dismissed for 8, as the Aussies ran away victors by six wickets. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the semi-final, Australia logged up 328 for seven. Clarke fell for 10. India packed up for 233. Australia entered their 7th final in 11 World Cup tournaments. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As the Aussie juggernaut rolled on, the final too turned into a one-sided affair. New Zealand were skittled out for 183. Clarke joined Smith at 63 for two, and looked in good nick. After taking his time to settle down, ensuring that there was no hiccup at the last post, he cut loose. Having posted his fifty off 56 balls, he slammed Tim Southee for four consecutive boundaries. With just 9 more runs to get, Clarke played on to Matt Henry. It was an innings befitting a final, 74 from 72 balls, embellished with a six and 10 fours. The partnership with Smith realised 112 runs in 18.5 overs. Australia won by 7 wickets, lifting the Cup for the fifth time. The home team won the title for the second time running. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This was the least productive World Cup with the bat for Clarke, scoring 219 runs in his six innings at an average of 36.50, but with a high strike-rate of 96.50. In each of his three World Cup tournaments, his strike-rate was well above 90. That coupled with his average of 63.42 makes him one of the top performers with the willow for Australia. He could not hit a World Cup century, though, his top score being 93 not out. Ironically, he once said, “I've never scored an easy hundred, it's always been tough, especially against a very good attack.” </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He was a most attractive batsman to watch, smooth-stroking and playing close to the body. Clarke will be remembered as the man who scored a triple century and double century in the same Test series, joining the ranks of Wally Hammond and Don Bradman, two consecutive Test double centuries, and one who won the World Cup back for Australia. </div><div><br /></div><div>(Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s forthcoming book ‘World Cup Odyssey’).
</div>Indra Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800239858093978514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874360532152770138.post-9657450440487177152023-02-14T06:36:00.001-08:002023-02-14T06:45:11.146-08:00Road to the Cricket World Cup 2023. Hall of Fame: Chris Gayle<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-outline-level: 1; tab-stops: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s a storm, it’s a hurricane, no it’s Gayle</span></span></b></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-outline-level: 1; tab-stops: 0cm; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8KdbjSk-dD2sRKDDJQazwldYzk34lmOgTjyAmOppjhzW_Q_upq41bZFnO383uUFDieB3WvIKFemM8xr07SdaLG2zqHNp83hYgyprwrP3DDKePvWWqCplS1Jp3fAwCzSu7lamle28ft--vthFTouUfQEdRsE-97wM0B86FecVwzq1AfJS67sSazf36w/s1102/Chris%20Gayle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="1102" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8KdbjSk-dD2sRKDDJQazwldYzk34lmOgTjyAmOppjhzW_Q_upq41bZFnO383uUFDieB3WvIKFemM8xr07SdaLG2zqHNp83hYgyprwrP3DDKePvWWqCplS1Jp3fAwCzSu7lamle28ft--vthFTouUfQEdRsE-97wM0B86FecVwzq1AfJS67sSazf36w/w400-h274/Chris%20Gayle.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Chris Gayle, great
entertainer with the mighty cudgel and an unforgettable character of the willow
game.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-outline-level: 1; tab-stops: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BATTING: Matches
35, Innings 34, Not Out 1, Highest Score 215, Runs 1186, Average 35.93,
Strike-rate 90.53, 100s 2, 50s 6, Catches 17</span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoBodyText"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: verdana;">ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BOWLING: Balls
793, Maidens 3, Runs 652, Wickets 16, Average 40.75, Best Bowling 2/21, Runs/Over
4.93</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It
might seem an oxymoron, but Chris Gayle has been the elder statesman as well as
rock star of world cricket. He went on and on, a much sought after acquisition
in Twenty20 leagues around the world, having blazed a scorching trail in Test
matches and One-day Internationals over two decades. In many ways he is a
wonder of cricket in the 2000s. Remarkably consistent, Gayle over the years
turned into a scintillating hitter, while at the same time shown a propensity
to play long innings. He is one of four to hit up two triple-centuries in Test
cricket, the others being the immortal Sir Donald Bradman, Brian Lara and
Virender Sehwag. With 7,214 runs in 103 Tests at an average of 42.18 and 15
hundreds, he is one of the best openers produced by the West Indies. A tally of
10,480 runs in 301 One-day Internationals at an average of 37.83 and strike-rate
of 87.19 with 25 centuries make his achievements monumental. His quickish
off-spin has often been more than useful, particularly in One-dayers in which he
captured 167 wickets at 35.48 each with an economy-rate of 4.78. Gayle is
indeed a colossus.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Gayle
has been a top performer in the World Cup as well. He had an impact in almost
all his five World Cup tournaments even though the West Indies struggled to
keep up with the best. When he began his stint in the showpiece event, it would
have been hard to imagine that he would become the kind of striker that he did.
He and his partner Wavell Hinds were scoreless after four overs against Shaun
Pollock and Makhaya Ntini, the only two runs on the board being extras. Gayle’s
first run came off his 15<sup>th</sup> delivery, while Hinds was caught behind
by Mark Boucher off Pollock for a duck, having faced 16 balls. Gayle was bowled
by Pollock for 2 from 21 deliveries. Brian Lara then scored a brilliant century
and the West Indies totalled 278 for five. Gayle took two vital wickets. He had
Pollock brilliantly caught by Carl Hooper and then castled Boucher one short of
his fifty, sending the Proteas into a tail-spin at 204 for seven. These wickets
cost Gayle 60 runs. There was some big hitting by Lance Klusener, supported by
Nicky Boje. But West Indies won by 3 runs after South Africa received a penalty
of one over for exceeding the time allowed to bowl their quota.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Things
were more normal as they faced New Zealand. Set a target of 242, Gayle and
Hinds raised 34 off 9.2 overs before Gayle departed for 22 off 29 balls. West
Indies, though, lost by 20 runs.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Gayle
was dismissed for nought before rain washed out most of the Bangladesh innings.
John Davison blasted the then fastest hundred in the World Cup and well over
half of Canada’s runs. Though Gayle could score only 8, West Indies sped to a
seven-wicket win, hitting up 206 for three in 20.3 overs.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thus
far Gayle had a lean trot, but no longer. Sri Lanka posted 228 for six. Gayle
had Sanath Jayasuriya caught at mid-wicket for 66, finishing with one for 42. He
played a fine innings, even as Hinds and Lara left early. He did most of the
scoring; Sarwan was hit on the ear by Dilhara Fernando, and immediately Carl
Hooper was trapped leg-before by the same bowler. With Shivnaraine Chanderpaul
settling down, Gayle brought up his half-century off 59 balls. He was lbw to
Chaminda Vaas for 55, having faced 76 balls and struck 8 fours. Despite
Chanderpaul’s 65 and a courageous unbeaten 47 by Sarwan, West Indies lost by 6
runs.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">With
no chance to qualify for the super-six, their last Pool B match was against
Kenya who were having a dream run. This time Chanderpaul opened with Gayle, the
pair hoisting 122 runs in 28.1 overs. They were dealing in boundaries, the
fifty coming in 10.3 overs. Chanderpaul was first to his half-century off 46
deliveries. The hundred of the innings was raised in 21.4 overs. Gayle brought
up his fifty in 88 balls. Chanderpaul holed out for 66, having faced 72
deliveries studded with 2 sixes and 7 fours. It might now seem surreal that the
generally pedestrian Chanderpaul outscored the swashbuckling Gayle by a long
way; it was the canny old warhorse outpacing the young colt still finding his
feet in the big Derby. With wickets tumbling at the other end, Gayle hoisted
his maiden World Cup century in 143 balls. Then he provided glimpses of what
Gayle was to become in the years to come. After sweeping Maurice Odumbe for two
off the first delivery, he smashed the last three balls for 6.4.6. He was
caught by Collins Obuya in the covers off Angara for 119, his stay at the
crease spanning 151 deliveries studded with 2 sixes and 8 fours. It was a
splendid innings, a harbinger of things to come.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Personally,
it would have been a satisfying first World Cup for Gayle, scoring a century
and a fifty, averaging 34.33 in his six matches. His four wickets at under 5
runs an over were a bonus.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The
2007 tournament at home did not go as well as the charmers from the Caribbean
Isles would have liked. The opening game, though, was heartening as they
trounced Pakistan by 54 runs. Gayle was dismissed early, caught behind for 2.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Zimbabwe
could only put up 202 for five. Gayle and Chanderpaul put on 73 in 17.3 overs,
this time the younger man being the more belligerent. The highlight of Gayle’s
knock was three consecutive sixes off seamer Tawanda Mupariwa, two over long-on
and one above mid-wicket. Both fell at the same score, Gayle caught at slip for
40, having faced 48 balls and hit 3 sixes and 3 fours. West Indies sailed to a
six-wicket win.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It
was an easy eight-wicket triumph over Ireland, who had shocked Pakistan
earlier. The Irish could manage only 183 for eight in their allotted 48 overs.
Gayle had Andre Botha caught behind, and Kevin O’Brien taken at mid-wicket. He
bagged two for 23 off his 10 overs. In attacking mode with the bat, he slammed
3 fours in his 18 off 14 balls before being caught at mid-off. Chanderpaul
scored an unbeaten century and the West Indies ran away with the match. They
had won all three of their Group D matches but there were sterner tests ahead.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There
was a heavy defeat at the hands of the invincible Aussies in the first
super-eight match, with Matthew Hayden hitting up a tremendous 158. Having got
bogged down, Gayle tried to pull the relentless Glenn McGrath, only to top-edge
it into the hands of mid-on, having scored just 2 off 23 balls.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Gayle
battled at the top even as the side collapsed to the Kiwi attack. He featured
in a 52-run second-wicket stand with Ramnaresh Sarwan in 8.3 overs but the West
Indies kept losing wickets. Gayle broke the shackles with a flurry of boundaries.
He scored 44 from 56 deliveries, having struck 8 fours. New Zealand easily
overhauled the West Indies total of 177.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">West
Indies were next at the receiving end of Sanath Jayasuriya’s bludgeon as he and
Mahela Jayawardene put Sri Lanka on top. Despite resistance from Chanderpaul
and Sarwan a target of 304 was a bridge too far. Gayle skied Lasith Malinga, to
be caught at long-on for 10.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A.B.
de Villiers was in awesome touch as the South Africans piled up 356 for four.
Gayle shared a 60-run second-wicket stand with Devon Smith. Unfortunately, he
was run out by a superb direct hit by Ashwell Prince. He scored 32, having
faced 35 balls and struck 3 fours. Despite a brilliant 92 by Sarwan, West
Indies could manage just 289 for nine.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After
all these reverses in the super-eight, there was some respite as Bangladesh
could not put up much resistance. Gayle, though, was leg-before for 1. Sarwan was
once again in wonderful touch, hitting up an unbeaten 91 as the West Indies
notched up 230 for five in their 50 overs. Bangladesh were never in the hunt.
Gayle wiped out the tail, picking up two for 28 in 8.5 overs as the West Indies
won by 99 runs.<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">With
neither the West Indies nor England in a position to qualify for the
semi-finals, the last super-eight fixture became the legend Brian Lara’s
farewell. Fittingly, Gayle and Devon Smith gave a flying start. Gayle bludgeoned
the bowlers all around. He hoisted his half-century off just 29 balls. The
hundred of the innings came up in 14.3 overs. Gayle was caught at third-man for
79, a typically belligerent knock spanning 58 deliveries and comprising 3 sixes
and 10 fours. The partnership was worth 131 in 23.5 overs. Gayle crossed Lara
who was on the way in for his final international innings. The maestro was
shaping well but was sadly run out for 18. West Indies were all out for 300 in
49.5 overs. A typically aggressive 100 from Kevin Pietersen put England on
course but they kept losing wickets. With the last pair in, they scampered to
victory with just one ball to spare. It was a poignant end to Lara’s great
career.<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There
were modest returns for Gayle. His 228 runs came at an average of 25.33, and
his five wickets cost 56.20 each. It was his most disappointing World Cup.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It
was not a happy start in 2011 either. Gayle was dismissed early for 2, and the
West Indies could put up just 222 in 47.3 overs. Courtesy a brilliant unbeaten
century by A.B. de Villiers, South Africa cantered to a seven-wicket win.<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In
contrast, Holland did not provide much resistance. Gayle and Devon Smith were again
in harness. Smith did most of the scoring till the fifty was posted in 9.2 overs.
Then Gayle revved up his engine. Two deliveries after the 100 had come up in
16.1 overs, Smith was caught behind for 53. Gayle’s half-century came off 63
balls. He shifted gears, crashing two sixes atop long-off in the next over. The
stand with Darren Bravo was worth 68 in 15.1 overs. Gayle holed out at long-off
for 80. He had negotiated 110 deliveries, and hammered 2 sixes and 7 fours.
Kieron Pollard crashed 60 in 27 balls, and the West Indies logged up 330 for
eight. Holland scored exactly half of that in 31.3 overs.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bangladesh
packed up for 58 in 18.5 overs. Gayle scored an unbeaten 37 in 36 balls with 6
fours as the West Indies coasted to a nine-wicket win in 12.2 overs. There was
an easy triumph over Ireland which Gayle missed due to an abdominal strain.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Gayle
was back for the face-off with England who were bowled out for 243. He was in a
belligerent mood, blasting Tim Bresnan for four boundaries in the third over.
He took to Chris Tremlett in the fifth over, thumping him for 4.6.4.4. Gayle
was leg-before to James Tredwell for 43 off a mere 21 deliveries studded with a
six and 8 fours. This was in a partnership of 58 in 6.5 overs with Devon Smith.
West Indies kept losing wickets to the spinners and were dismissed for 225.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Once
again, Gayle missed the game against India that the hosts wrapped up easily.
Pakistan shot out the West Indies for 112 in the quarter-final. Gayle was
caught at mid-off for 8, trying to belt the cover off the ball. Pakistan
cruised to a ten-wicket win.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Though
dogged by injury and having to skip a couple of games, it was a more productive
World Cup for Gayle. His 170 runs came at an average of 42.50 with a strike-rate
of 94.97.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There
was a shock defeat at the hands of Ireland in 2015. Gayle played a sedate
innings of 36, holing out to wide long-on after negotiating 65 deliveries. Lendl
Simmons scored a superb 102 off 84 balls on World Cup debut. West Indies logged
up 304 for seven. But splendid batting by the Irish top-order took them to a
comfortable four-wicket win.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">West
Indies quickly corrected course, putting up 310 for six off the Pakistani
attack. Gayle, though, perished for 4. They then dismissed Pakistan for 160.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And
then came the celebrated encounter with Zimbabwe. Gayle smashed the first
double century of the World Cup, and the first double century by a non-Indian
in One-day Internationals. Earlier, in chronological order, Sachin Tendulkar,
Virender Sehwag, and Rohit Sharma (two) had hit double tons in One-dayers. New
Zealander Martin Guptill joined the club later in this World Cup. Amazingly,
Rohit Sharma smashed a third double hundred in 2017, Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman
joined the league in 2018, and yet another Indian Ishan Kishan made his entry
in 2022. After Dwayne Smith was dismissed off the second delivery of the match,
Gayle and Marlon Samuels batted through the rest of the innings, putting on 372
runs for the 2<sup>nd</sup> wicket, the highest-ever partnership in the World
Cup and in all One-day Internationals. Gayle was out off the last ball of the
innings, his 215 obviously being the highest score in the World Cup at that
stage until Guptill knocked up an unbeaten 237 in the quarter-finals. Gayle’s monumental
knock spanned 147 deliveries. Samuels was unbeaten with 133 from 156 balls with
3 sixes and 11 fours. The 16 sixes rocketed by Gayle were the maximum in a
World Cup innings, equalling the feats of Rohit Sharma and A.B. de Villiers in
all One-day Internationals.<b> </b>Gayle’s
136 runs in boundaries (16 sixes, 10 fours) were the highest in an innings in
the World Cup until Guptill hit up 162 (11 sixes, 24 fours) in his epic knock.<b> </b>Gayle brought up his 9,000 runs in
One-day Internationals, emulating Brian Lara’s feat. West Indies piled up 372
for two, their highest in the World Cup and in all One-day Internationals. Despite
spirited resistance by the middle-order, Zimbabwe were all out for 289. Gayle bagged
two wickets for 35 runs off his 6 overs and pouched a catch. He was, obviously,
the man-of-the-match.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After
the highs of this match, came the blitzkrieg from A.B. de Villiers. He blasted
the then second-fastest hundred and fastest 150 in the World Cup on the way to
his unbeaten 162 off a mere 66 balls. South Africa hoisted 408 for five. Gayle
was bowled for 3, and all that the West Indies managed was 151 in 33.1 overs.<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Gayle
got a start against India but holed out at square-leg for 21. West Indies could
only put together 182 runs. India overhauled this score with relative ease,
losing six wickets in the process. A back strain kept Gayle out of the game
against United Arab Emirates.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The
quarter-final was a Guptill show. He smashed an astonishing double century,
second in the World Cup after Gayle. His unbeaten 237 was the highest score in
the World Cup, surpassing Gayle’s 215 less than a month earlier. New Zealand’s
393 for six was their highest total in the World Cup. Gayle too was in a belligerent
mood. A rollicking stand of 53 in 3.4 overs with Marlon Samuels set the tone
for the West Indies innings. Tim Southee came in for special treatment, and
then Gayle clouted Daniel Vettori for three consecutive sixes on the on-side. Gayle
smashed his fifty off just 26 deliveries. He had 8 sixes and 2 fours in his
33-ball pyrotechnics, 56 runs in boundaries in his knock of 61, an overwhelming
percentage of 91.80. West Indies were bowled out for 250 in 30.3 overs.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This
was, by far, Gayle’s best World Cup. An aggregate of 340 in 6 matches with an
average of 56.66 and strike-rate of 117.24 would have provided him much
satisfaction.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">At
almost 40 years of age, Gayle was back for his fifth World Cup in 2019.
Pakistan could only put up 105 runs in 21.4 overs. Gayle was at his aggressive
best. After two consecutive boundaries there were two sixes in a row, in
successive overs from Hasan Ali, and another two fours in his next over. Then
it was Wahab Riaz’s turn. Gayle hammered him for 6.4.4 to long-off, cover and
square-leg. He got his fifty off 33 balls but was out in the same over, having
smacked 3 sixes and 6 fours. He now had the highest number of 40 sixes in the
World Cup, going past A.B. de Villiers. West Indies cantered to a seven-wicket
win.<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In
a closely-contested match, Australia put up 288 runs. Gayle was looking good,
cracking Pat Cummins for three boundaries in an over, joining the World Cup
1000-run club. But Mitchell Starc trapped him leg-before for 21. Despite the
efforts of the middle-order, West Indies could only total 273 for nine as Starc
ran through the tail with a five-wicket haul.<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The
faceoff with South Africa was disrupted by rain. After a pensive start against
England, Gayle reeled off a string of five boundaries and a straight six in
quick succession. But he was caught on the hook for 36 off 41 deliveries. West
Indies could only put up 212. A superb unbeaten 100 by Joe Root carried England
to an eight-wicket win.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Gayle
was unusually subdued in the match-up with Bangladesh and was caught behind for
a duck, having faced 13 deliveries. Splendid batting by the top-order took the
West Indies to 321 for eight. But a brilliant hundred by Shakib Al Hasan and
his unbroken 189-run stand with Liton Das earned Bangladesh a remarkably easy
seven-wicket victory.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A
classy 148 by Kane Williamson helped the Kiwis to a total of 291 for eight.
Gayle was in great nick. Having settled down, he slammed Matt Henry for 3 sixes
and 2 fours in a couple of overs. He found an able ally in Shimron Hetmyer. Gayle
raised his half-century in 51 balls. Mitchell Santner faced the fury of his
punishing blade, being hit for 3 sixes and a boundary in two overs. The duo put
on 122 runs in 15.5 overs for the third wicket. Gayle was caught at long-on for
87, having taken on 84 deliveries and hammered 6 sixes and 8 fours. Carlos
Brathwaite hit a brilliant century; the match went right down to the wire. Adding
vital runs with the tail, Brathwaite was caught on the long-on boundary for
101, just five short of the New Zealand total. A few inches, and it would have
been the opposite result. That is the distance between agony and ecstasy in
cricket!<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">India
were too strong, posting 268 for seven and then bowling out the West Indies for
143. Gayle was caught at mid-on for 6.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There
was a better performance against Sri Lanka, but still a defeat. The Lankans
logged up 338 for six. Gayle played a sedate cameo bereft of histrionics for
the most part. His first boundary came off the 32<sup>nd</sup> delivery he
faced. He broke free twice, tonking Kasun Rajitha for sixes on the on-side. The
bowler, though, got reprisal immediately, having Gayle caught off a steepler.
His 35 spanned 48 deliveries. Nicholas Pooran hit up a fine century, and Fabian
Allen knocked up a belligerent fifty but the West Indies fell 23 runs short of
the Lankan score.<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There
was just the proverbial pride to play for when the two bottom-placed outfits
met in their last league fixture. Gayle was caught behind for 7 and he trudged
back slowly, probably for the last time in the showpiece event. West Indies
batted well through the order to log up 311 for six. Afghanistan fought hard
but were beaten by 23 runs.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There
were modest returns for Gayle, 242 runs at an average of 30.25, a strike-rate
of 88.32 and two fifties. But he provided yeomen service to the West Indies
through the best part of two decades. In an interview to The Telegraph, he
provided an insight into his mindset, “If you watch my career it’s a lot of
failures more than success over the 20 years. As a cricketer you have to
understand you’ll fail more than you succeed. It’s tough man. That’s why I’m
saying if you’re not mentally strong you’ll walk away from the game. Especially
if you’re not performing well it’s even tougher. But you have to embrace it -
accept it and tell yourself you will bounce back and come back stronger. You’ve
got to know how to pull through these moments.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A
colourful figure on the field with his twirling locks and big, ever-ready
smile, he is the sixth-highest scorer in the World Cup with 1186 runs at 35.93
per innings, a strike-rate of 90.53, two hundreds and 6 half-centuries, one of
21 players to notch up 1,000 runs, and one of only two to hit up a
double-century. The records don’t end there. He has by far the most sixes in
the World Cup (49), most sixes in a World Cup (26 in 2015), second-highest
number of sixes in an innings (16 to Eoin Morgan’s 17), and second in terms of
runs in boundaries in an innings (136 to Martin Guptill’s 162). His bowling has
been handy, 16 wickets at 40.75 apiece at 4.93 runs an over, not forgetting his
reliability in the field with 17 catches. But the mountain of statistics
scarcely tell the full tale of Chris Gayle. He has been one of the greatest
entertainers with the mighty cudgel, one of the unforgettable characters of the
willow game.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">(<i>Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s forthcoming book ‘World Cup Odyssey’</i>).</span></span>Indra Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800239858093978514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874360532152770138.post-73000899457964786552023-01-08T08:08:00.001-08:002023-01-08T08:08:35.635-08:00Road to the Cricket World Cup 2023. Hall of Fame: Daniel Vettori <p style="text-align: center;"> <b style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US">Wheeling
away the left-armers relentlessly</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn49xsMo2iADsk6Gz4dwhGn9GBdExSCf9-ZkWHX_sTjsb7OMoNJAllAIjUPPkLEJrWGKxs6pXHC6JgkzymyJ5De6ahpWEqZGyC27N19h34Wpr7PVPT9zxji4qsAWwjOFWmXgK4ycBKnmfn_baCYNxzDcGpDbiRNwKyz41ZHgJG4M0l6_MPgVoQTvTfPA/s2104/Daniel%20Vettori.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1408" data-original-width="2104" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn49xsMo2iADsk6Gz4dwhGn9GBdExSCf9-ZkWHX_sTjsb7OMoNJAllAIjUPPkLEJrWGKxs6pXHC6JgkzymyJ5De6ahpWEqZGyC27N19h34Wpr7PVPT9zxji4qsAWwjOFWmXgK4ycBKnmfn_baCYNxzDcGpDbiRNwKyz41ZHgJG4M0l6_MPgVoQTvTfPA/w320-h214/Daniel%20Vettori.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">ONE-DAY
WORLD CUP BOWLING: Matches 32, Balls 1689, Maidens 12, Runs 1168. Wickets 36,
Average 32.44, Best Bowling 4/18, Runs/Over 4.14, 4 Wkts/Inn 2, Catches 9</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">One
of the finest left-arm spinners to emerge from New Zealand, Daniel Vettori was
a useful lower middle-order batsman who could open when required. The youngest
to represent New Zealand in Tests at just 18 years, he had a long and durable
career. With over 4,500 runs in his 113 Tests at an average of 30 and 6
centuries, in addition to his 362 wickets at 34.36 apiece, he could definitely
be considered an underrated allrounder, unsung and unheralded. This was supplemented
by 2,253 runs and 305 wickets in One-day Internationals. He had accuracy as
well as all the nuances of a world-class left-armer, his longevity a testimony
to his class and fitness. It was his bowling that was to the fore in the World
Cup, particularly in 2007 and 2015.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Vettori
first appeared in the 2003 event, but was able to make a mark only for his
accurate bowling, conceding less than 4 runs an over in his 7 matches. He took
just two wickets in 65 overs as the Kiwis reached the super-six stage. Opening
the batting in two of his three innings, he was barely able to get past single
figures in each.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">There
was regular success with the ball for Vettori in the 2007 World Cup. After
going wicketless in the victory over England, he had a good stint in the
faceoff with Kenya. He took a brilliant return catch to dismiss top-scorer
Ravindu Shah for 71. He deceived Jimmy Kamande with an armer and bowled him.
His return was two for 45 in an easy win.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Canadians found him difficult to decipher after New Zealand had posted 363 for
five. With John Davison going on the rampage as was his wont, Vettori dismissed
his partner Geoff Barnett who scored a fine 40. He edged a quicker one into the
gloves of Brendon McCullum. Asish Bagai had played himself in but came too far
forward, played all over the ball and was bowled. Ashif Mulla had no idea about
one that struck his pad right in front. Vettori finished with three for 57 as
New Zealand won all three of their Group C fixtures.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Vettori
ran through the lower-order as hosts West Indies folded up for 177 in the
super-eight. Denesh Ramdin holed out at point. In his next over, Dwayne Smith
was bowled trying to sweep, and immediately after Daren Powell was trapped
leg-before. Vettori bagged three for 39 in 9 overs, comprising a maiden, as the
Kiwis continued on their winning spree.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">As
Bangladesh were brushed aside, Vettori was wicketless but conceded just 34 runs
in his 10 overs. It was a facile nine-wicket win, skipper Stephen Fleming
scoring a superb hundred. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Giant-killers, and surprise super-eight qualifiers, Ireland could not stretch
the New Zealanders who were on a roll. Chasing a target of 264, the Irish lost
five wickets for just 125. Vettori was wicketless so far in his six overs,
having conceded 21 runs. He trapped then Andrew White leg-before for a duck as
he tried to sweep a straight one. In his next over, Peter Gillespie played all
over one and was also plumb leg-before. He put the Irish out of their misery in
the succeeding over, clean bowling Kyle McCallan and hitting Boyd Rankin on the
front boot right in front, both for ducks. These were four of Vettori’s easiest
wickets, having conceded 23 runs in 8.4 overs as Ireland plummeted to 134 all
out.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Despite
a fine century by Scott Styris, the New Zealand winning run came to an end as
the Sri Lankans continued to surge forward. Having posted a modest 219 for
seven, their bowling was dominated by a century stand by the stalwarts Sanath
Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara. Vettori had Mahela Jayawardene caught at
mid-wicket. Later, he beat Chamara Silva in the air and had him taken at
long-off. Sangakkara stayed on to usher in victory by six wickets. Vettori
finished with two for 35.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">New
Zealand were back to winning ways as South Africa were able to muster only 193
for seven. After both the openers had fallen cheaply, Vettori broke an ominous
stand between Jacques Kallis and Herschelle Gibbs, having the former caught in
the covers for 22. He finished with one for 50. New Zealand won by five
wickets.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Aussies were irresistible in this tournament. They thrashed the Kiwis by 215
runs in their last super-eight encounter. Vettori was wicketless, having
conceded 60 runs.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Facing
Sri Lanka again in the semi-final, New Zealand could not avenge their previous
defeat. Vettori could only bag the wicket of opener Upul Tharanga, giving away
51 runs.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">This
was the most productive World Cup of Vettori’s career. He snapped up 16 wickets
at 27.93 each, with a best of four for 43, though he was a bit expensive by his
standards with an economy rate of 4.57. He completed his quota of 10 overs in
almost every match underlining his worth to his side which performed creditably
in this tournament.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Captain
in 2011, Vettori missed two matches due to injury and struggled to get wickets,
but was nagging with his accuracy. Kenya were trounced but Australia took the
Kiwis to task. They slumped to 66 for six, and then 121 for seven when Vettori
joined Nathan McCullum at the end of 29 overs. They put on 54 runs in 12.2
overs before McCullum departed for a well-complied half-century. Vettori now
had to push the score along. Brett Lee had him caught behind. He had played a
fine hand of 44 off 43 deliveries, having hit 5 boundaries. Off the next ball,
New Zealand were dismissed for 206. Australia breezed to a seven-wicket win.
Vettori opened the bowling but without success.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">There
was not much resistance from Zimbabwe. Vettori had his most productive outing
with the ball. In his first over, he trapped his opposite number Elton
Chigumbura leg-before, and two balls later had Regis Chakabva caught at slip.
It was a double-wicket maiden. Zimbabwe were skittled for 162, Vettori
finishing with two for 25 in his 10 overs. The Kiwi openers knocked off the
runs in 33.3 overs. Vettori injured his knee while fielding against Pakistan.
He had to miss the next two matches, Ross Taylor deputizing for him.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
returned for the face-off with South Africa in the quarter-final. The Proteas
batting let them down and were overcome easily. Vettori opened the bowling but
was wicketless, giving away 39 runs in his quota of 10 overs.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Once
again Sri Lanka defeated the Kiwis in the semi-final. Vettori trapped Mahela
Jayawardene for 1, this time conceding 36 runs. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Vettori
had just three wickets to show for his efforts in the tournament, though he was
thrifty with just 3.60 runs per over taken off him. He may well have rued his
missed chances on the sub-continental tracks.
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In
contrast, it was a fine World Cup for Vettori on home turf in 2015. Brendon
McCullum had taken over the captaincy. In the opening encounter New Zealand put
it across Sri Lanka, avenging defeats in the semi-finals of the previous two
World Cup tournaments. Consistent batting through the order enabled the hosts
to amass 331 for six. Sri Lanka began well but lost their way. Vettori had a
hand in this in more ways than one. Openers Lahiru Thirimanne and Tillakaratne
Dilshan gave a fine start of 67 before the latter hit back a catch to Vettori.
Another stand of 57 followed between Thirimanne and Kumar Sangakkara before the
latter departed for 65. Immediately, Vettori struck a huge blow, having
Jayawardene caught behind by Luke Ronchi for a duck. Sangakkara was out in the
next over, and Sri Lanka were in trouble at 129 for four in 23.5 overs. Angelo
Mathews fought hard, but having scored 46, top-edged a short one from Tim
Southee, and Vettori at mid-on took a brilliant catch diving forward. Sri Lanka
folded up for 233. Vettori bagged two for 34.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Southee
and Boult struck early blows to reduce Scotland to 12 for four. Matt Machan 56
(79 balls) and Richie Berrington 50 (80 balls) put up a fine 97-run partnership
in 23.3 overs. But wickets began tumbling again. It was left to Vettori to wipe
out the tail. He had Rob Taylor stumped by Ronchi, got Majid Haq caught by
Taylor at slip, and trapped Iain Wardlaw leg-before, snapping up three of the
easiest wickets of his career. He had an analysis of 8.2-1-24-3 as the Scots tumbled
for 142. There were four golden ducks in Scotland’s innings. New Zealand made
heavy weather of the chase, losing seven wickets before romping home, with
Vettori not out on 8. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">England
capsized for 123. Vettori dismissed the captain Eoin Morgan for 17, which
really began the slide. He ended up with one for 19 off 7 overs. New Zealand
knocked off the runs for the loss of two wickets, with McCullum setting a
blistering pace, as was his wont.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
face-off between the co-hosts was a humdinger, with the Kiwis pipping the
Trans-Tasman rivals by one wicket. It was a low-scoring encounter in which
left-arm bowlers dominated, grabbing 14 out of the 19 wickets that fell. Shane
Watson pulled Vettori to be caught at mid-wicket. He then got Steve Smith to edge
into the gloves of Ronchi. These were two vital wickets. Vettori completed his
quota of 10 overs, giving away 41 runs. Australia slumped to 151 all out. New
Zealand seemed well on course but lost wickets in bunches, eventually pulling
off a nail-biting win.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Afghans were mystified by Vettori’s guile. He came on for the third over, and
with his first delivery bowled Usman Ghani through the gate with an armer.
Nawroz Mangal tried to cut Vettori but was castled. It was Vettori’s 300<sup>th</sup>
wicket in One-day Internationals, the 12<sup>th</sup> bowler to achieve the
feat. Mohammad Nabi edged Vettori, and Ross Taylor snapped up a fine catch at
slip. Next ball, he trapped Afsar Zazai plumb in front of the stumps.
Afghanistan were 59 for six. Samiullah Shenwari 54 (110 balls) and Najibullah
Zadran 56 (56 balls) put up a fight and helped post 186 on the board. Vettori
bagged four for 18 off his 10 overs, four of which were maidens, his best World
Cup figures. This time New Zealand’s left-armers prised out nine of the ten Afghan
wickets. New Zealand brought up a six-wicket win. Vettori was
man-of-the-match. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In
a keenly-contested match, New Zealand beat Bangladesh by three wickets. Vettori
had Soumya Sarkar caught at long-on, ending a 90-run stand with Mahmudullah who
scored a brilliant unbeaten century. Vettori finished with one for 42.
Guptill’s hundred helped chase down a target of 289, Vettori remaining unbeaten
with 16.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Guptill’s
monumental unbeaten 237 dominated the quarter-final with the West Indies. But
there was a magical moment from Vettori as he held a stupendous one-handed
catch on the third-man boundary, leaping up in the air. “I was lucky enough to
take the catch of Marlon Samuels,” he recounted. “I was at third man, and you
don't expect that sort of catch, but it was a pretty crucial moment in the game
because Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels had just started to take off and were
obviously chasing a huge score, as Martin Guptill had got a double hundred.”
Later, a quicker one from Vettori had Jonathan Carter playing on to the stumps.
Vettori wrapped up the match by having the belligerent Jason Holder caught at
long-off. Vettori bagged two for 58 off 6.3 overs. It was a huge win by 143
runs.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It
was a tremendous semi-final that went to the penultimate delivery, with rain
and the Duckworth-Lewis method coming into play. Vettori was wicketless but was
there at the crease with 7 runs when man-of-the-match Grant Elliott slammed
Dale Steyn for that winning six. There were 11 runs needed in the final over,
and Vettori’s boundary off the third ball was a huge relief to the team’s
cause.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">New
Zealand were in their first World Cup final. Maybe they were overawed by the
occasion, being bowled out for 183. The Aussies ran away victors by seven
wickets.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></p>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">With 15 wickets in 9
matches at an average of 20.46 and economy-rate of 4.04, it was a laudable
effort by Vettori and a vital element in the Kiwis’ march to their first World
Cup final. With 36 scalps overall, he was the third-highest wicket-taker among
spinners in the premier event behind the great Muralitharan and Imran Tahir. He
was relentless as ever, accurate if not incisive, as his average of 32.44 and
economy-rate of 4.14 testify, a steadfast soldier of New Zealand cricket.</span><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s
forthcoming book ‘World Cup Odyssey’</i>).<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /></span></div>Indra Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800239858093978514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874360532152770138.post-45087936468565760572022-12-07T05:27:00.002-08:002022-12-07T05:41:45.987-08:00Road to the Cricket World Cup 2023. Hall of Fame: Brendon McCullum<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Brendon McCullum: Dazzling and versatile both sides of the sticks</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMY8pWcU-zRB6FJ9O2zOlWnvvuoBd1TFWbEC9AE29ORK9Vj3mnXRwg8Ed8ispsEDnaa1wugzQOJn0zjzBnR0_YzTT-nh9EyewUJeBmovrKwHQgkt0edkoY697swOiAABWWSdFj6JalP5wxIse_IKHdoHyns_HD_GavRoBby7xyqIt3I-DjVtaHUrhDw/s3888/14-Brendon%20McCullum%20(NZ,%20from%20any%20One-day%20World%20Cup%20(1).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3888" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMY8pWcU-zRB6FJ9O2zOlWnvvuoBd1TFWbEC9AE29ORK9Vj3mnXRwg8Ed8ispsEDnaa1wugzQOJn0zjzBnR0_YzTT-nh9EyewUJeBmovrKwHQgkt0edkoY697swOiAABWWSdFj6JalP5wxIse_IKHdoHyns_HD_GavRoBby7xyqIt3I-DjVtaHUrhDw/w400-h266/14-Brendon%20McCullum%20(NZ,%20from%20any%20One-day%20World%20Cup%20(1).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
an entertainer, Brendon McCullum has few peers in modern cricket.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BATTING: Matches 34, Innings 27, Not Out 5,
Highest Score 101, Runs 742, Average 33.72, Strike-rate 120.84, 100 1, 50s 6,
Catches 32, Stumpings 2</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Proficient with the big gloves,
brilliant fielder without them, explosive with the bat, able to open the
batting or dazzle in the middle-order, Brendon McCullum was pugnacious as well
as versatile. His pyrotechnics in the very first match of the Twenty20 Indian
Premier League (IPL) in 2008 will forever remain etched in memory. He built up
a fine record: nearly 6,500 runs in Tests at an average of close to 39 and a
strike-rate of nearly 65, with 179 dismissals and 30 more catches as fielder;
more than 6,000 runs in One-dayers at an average exceeding 30 and a strike-rate
of over 96, with 262 dismissals plus 35 catches in the field. These are figures
of a top-flight wicketkeeper-batsman, one of the finest cricketers to emerge
from New Zealand.</span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Having sat out of the first match in the 2003 World Cup, McCullum
only came in at no. 8 as the West Indies had them in strife at 147 for six
after 32.2 overs. The 21-year-old helped Chris Harris add 41, and then allied
with the belligerent Andre Adams in a crucial undefeated 53-run stand which
took his side’s total to a respectable 241 for seven. McCullum’s unbeaten 36
came off 53 deliveries, and he struck one boundary. West Indies were bowled out
for 221, leaving McCullum with pleasant memories of his World Cup debut.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A superb unconquered century by skipper Stephen Fleming in a
rain-interrupted innings carried the Kiwis to a nine-wicket win over the
Proteas. McCullum snapped up his first two catches in the premier event,
sending back the openers Graeme Smith and centurion Herschelle Gibbs off the
pacemen Shane Bond and Jacob Oram.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The match against Kenya was forfeited as New Zealand declined to
travel to Nairobi due to security concerns. The Kiwis beat Bangladesh easily by
seven wickets. McCullum now took three catches, continuing his association with
the same bowlers. Canada did not stretch them much and McCullum again allied
with the two seamers to bag a catch each for them.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the super-six game against Zimbabwe, there was a catch, this
time off Chris Cairns. Bond was on fire in the face-off with Trans-Tasman
rivals Australia at Port Elizabeth, and McCullum was in the frame with two
catches off the speedster. Brett Lee’s return burst sent New Zealand packing,
McCullum being trapped leg-before for 1. India were too good and McCullum,
promoted to no. 5, was bowled for 4.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The young wicketkeeper had done a competent job, picking up 9
catches. He played one significant innings, which was an important element in
the eventual victory. A budding career was waiting to flower. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">New Zealand upstaged the English by six wickets in their opening
encounter in 2007. McCullum snapped up Edmund Joyce (0) and Ian Bell (5) off
James Franklin and Oram respectively. Later he caught the dogged Paul
Collingwood and Jamie Dalrymple off Scott Styris. Kenya were trounced but
McCullum was dismissed for just 6 and did not take a catch.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A John Davison-inspired Canada put up a spirited fight. McCullum
joined Oram at 278 for five at the end of the 43<sup>rd</sup> over. After Oram had
hit Davison for a six over long-off, McCullum swept left-arm spinner Kevin
Sandher on top of the Beusejour Stadium stand, and skied the last ball of the
over above long-on for another six. In the next over, he tickled Anderson Cummins,
the former West Indies paceman, to the fine-leg boundary. Sunil Dhaniram,
another left-arm tweaker sent down a full-toss, which McCullum launched over
square-leg for his third six. Oram lofted Cummins for a straight six. In the
final over McCullum rocketed Dhaniram for two more on-side sixes to raise the
fastest fifty of the World Cup off a mere 20 deliveries, quicker than two Mark
Boucher efforts in the same tournament. Oram teed off another six over
extra-cover off the penultimate delivery. The unfinished partnership was worth
85 runs in 7 overs. McCullum was unbeaten with 52 off 21 balls, comprising
those 5 sixes and a sole boundary. New Zealand piled up 363. Canada did well to
total 249, McCullum pouching a catch off Daniel Vettori. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua where the
West Indies received a drubbing from the Kiwis in their super-eight clash.
Having put up a half-century stand with Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan drove at
Oram only to manage a thick inside-edge which flew down the leg-side, McCullum
bringing off a spectacular catch. Soon, Oram got one to leap and take Marlon
Samuels’ glove, for McCullum to hold on. Gayle played on to Oram in his next
over. Brian Lara and Dwayne Bravo staged a 47-run rescue act but Bond had the
latter edging into the gloves of McCullum. Then it was the big wicket. With
McCullum standing up to the stumps, Lara tried to swing Scott Styris on the
on-side, inside-edged it and McCullum brought off a fine catch. McCullum had a
hand in four of the previous five dismissals, and the West Indies slipped to
177 all out. The Kiwis coasted to a seven-wicket win.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Bangladesh openers were off to a steady start, but with Tamim
Iqbal stepping out to paceman Oram in the quest to boost the scoring-rate,
McCullum decided to come up to the stumps. The fifty was raised in the 16<sup>th</sup>
over, and in the next over Tamim stretched to pull off an inventive shot off
Oram on the leg-side, missed and McCullum whipped off the bails in a trice. His
move had paid off; the left-hander departed. In Oram’s next over, the other
opener Javed Omar tried to cut, only to edge it to McCullum. The Bangladesh
innings never really took off, and New Zealand raced to a nine-wicket triumph.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">McCullum
got another opportunity to bat against the other surprise qualifiers Ireland.
Coming in at 172 for five, he soon saw his side slip to 189 for seven in 42.3
overs. Joined by the left-handed James Franklin, the pair upped the ante,
initially in well-run ones and twos, to the extent that there were no
boundaries in 11 overs up to the end of the 47<sup>th</sup>. Then there was a
flurry in the last three. Franklin struck the captain Trent Johnston for two
successive fours, and McCullum lofted his pull to the fence. Franklin struck
Kevin O’Brien for a four and a six in the penultimate over. McCullum replicated
it off Johnston. He drove through the covers and then bludgeoned a straight six
to crack a glass screen in the pavilion. He holed out off the fourth delivery for
47, scored off 37 deliveries. New Zealand totalled 283 for eight. Then in the
second over of the Irish innings, Bond induced an edge from Jeremy Bray’s
blade, and McCullum snapped it up. Later Eoin Morgan snicked one from Oram into
the gloves of McCullum. Ireland packed up for 134. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">By
now most of McCullum’s work was over. The formidable Sri Lankans registered a
comfortable win. Magical Muralitharan trapped McCullum leg-before for 1. Though
McCullum snapped up Sanath Jayasuriya off Oram, it was not before a 100-run
second-wicket stand with another classy left-hander Kumar Sangakkara.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
Kiwis did well to beat the Proteas. McCullum scored 4 not out in the
five-wicket victory. The Aussies were too good, McCullum falling for 7. New
Zealand, though, made it to the semi-finals, but again Sri Lanka packed too
many guns. This time Murali had McCullum caught for a duck.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">McCullum
played a couple of belligerent knocks, finishing with a strike-rate of 134.48,
and was always superb behind the sticks with 14 victims to his credit. New
Zealand have always performed creditably in the World Cup without being
brilliant. McCullum was invariably at hand to answer the call of duty.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In
another campaign going right up to the semi-finals in 2011, McCullum was
designated to open the innings. As a Kenyan team in decline crashed to 69 all
out in 23.5 overs, McCullum snapped up their captain Jimmy Kamande off Oram. He
brought up a ten-wicket win along with Martin Guptill in a mere 8 overs.
McCullum was unbeaten with 26 off 17 deliveries with 4 fours.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Seemingly
in a hurry, McCullum swung his willow against some fast, short-pitched Aussie bowling,
particularly from Shaun Tait, clattering 3 boundaries. Then he slashed at the
speedster, only to be caught at third-man. His 16 had come off 12 balls, and
the Aussies never really gave much of a chance, cantering to a seven-wicket
victory in 34 overs. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">McCullum
and Guptill coasted to another ten-wicket win, this time against Zimbabwe.
Guptill began with 2 fours and a six in the first over, then another six in the
fifth over. McCullum struck his first six in the 15<sup>th</sup> over. The
hundred came up in 22.4 overs, and McCullum reached his fifty with a straight
four off his 74<sup>th</sup> delivery. He pull-drove his second six in the 32<sup>nd</sup>
over, and victory came two overs later. McCullum scored 76 off 95 balls with 6
fours and 2 sixes; Guptill scored 86 off 108 deliveries with 7 fours and 2
sixes.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Shoaib
Akhtar’s third delivery of the match was a no-ball. McCullum bludgeoned the
re-bowled free-hit over mid-wicket for a six. The next ball darted in sharply
and took his off-stump. Ross Taylor waded into the Pakistani attack, the Kiwis
totalling 302 for seven, and then bowling themselves to a 110-run win.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The valiant triers from Canada bore the brunt of McCullum’s
punishing blade once again. The ball flew all over the Wankhede Stadium. The
opening stand realized 53 runs in 9.5 overs, of which Guptill’s contribution
was 17. Jesse Ryder joined in another belligerent partnership. McCullum’s fifty
came off 38 balls, by which time he had struck 9 fours and a six. When Ryder
fell to John Davison, the pair had added 96 runs in just under 20 overs.
McCullum raised his hundred off 107 deliveries. He was soon gone for 101,
having played 2 more balls, and blasted 12 fours and 2 sixes in all. Later, Ross
Taylor’s pyrotechnics saw him rocketing 4 sixes and a four in an over off
Harvir Baidwan. There was a jamboree with a flood of fours and sixes, most
notably 4 boundaries off another Baidwan over, and Franklin’s 3 sixes and 2
fours in the last over bowled by Rizwan Cheema. The Canadian bowlers were
getting into the record books for the wrong reasons. New Zealand piled up 358
for six. After early setbacks, Canada did well to total 261 for nine. So far
McCullum was pouching the odd catch in a match. Here he held a succession of
them. Hiral Patel was going after the bowlers until he edged a pull off Oram
into the gloves of McCullum. Then followed a heart-warming 125-run stand
between skipper Ashish Bagai and Jimmy Hansra. A cramping Bagai nicked Nathan
McCullum, and brother Brendon completed the dismissal. Not long after, Cheema
dabbed Oram on the off-side and McCullum brought off a splendid diving catch.
He picked up the man-of-the-match prize too.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Kiwis were upstaged in a Sangakkara-Jayawardene-Muralitharan
show. The Lankans put up 265 for nine, with McCullum holding catches off Styris
and Oram. McCullum and Guptill seemed on course, but McCullum fell for 14 off
16 deliveries, having struck 2 fours. His partner followed soon and New Zealand
folded up for 153.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Though New Zealand stunned South Africa in the quarter-final, both
openers fell cheaply. As Oram dazzled in the field, McCullum held a late catch
off him, and the Kiwis were through by 49 runs.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Facing Sri Lanka again in the semi-final, McCullum departed for
13, and his side was not good enough to break through this stage yet again.
Sangakkara was man-of-the-match once more, this time as much for his
wicketkeeping as for his batting. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On the face of it, McCullum had done a fine job with the bat,
scoring 256 runs in 8 matches at an average of 42.66 and a strike-rate of
92.41. But his big scores came against the weaker sides. What must not be
forgotten, however, is that he was fulfilling a crucial dual role, which added
depth to the batting and gave the side the option of including an extra bowler.
As always he was efficient, and often brilliant, behind the stumps with his 9
dismissals. Overall, he was third at the time among wicketkeepers in the World
Cup with 32 dismissals.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Captain in 2015, having shed the wicketkeeping gauntlets, and
still batting at the top of the order, McCullum blazed with the willow. He gave
a flying start to the tournament on home turf at Hagley Oval, Christchurch,
which became the 100<sup>th</sup> venue to host World Cup matches. McCullum
struck boundaries in each of the first three overs off the Sri Lankans. Guptill
too warmed up with two fours of his own. McCullum was in his elements in the 8<sup>th</sup>
over delivered by Lasith Malinga. He swung the first to the ropes at fine leg.
The next was a no-ball which McCullum turned to the mid-wicket fence. He made
full use of the free hit, sending the ball soaring over long-on into the
stands. After two quiet deliveries, he steered to the pickets wide of
third-man. The last one was full, and despatched to the skirting at mid-wicket.
He carried on in belligerent mode, raising his half-century off 35 balls. The
hundred came up in 13.2 overs. McCullum was caught on the long-off boundary,
having slammed 65 from 49 deliveries, and blasted a six and 4 fours. The
partnership realized 111 runs in 15.5 overs. Aided by the class of Kane
Williamson and the pyrotechnics of Corey Anderson, the Kiwis logged 331 for
six. The Lankans were in the hunt for not too long, and folded up for 233.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">New Zealand made heavy weather of a small target of 143 set by the
Scots, losing seven wickets before wrapping up the game. McCullum scored 15 off
12 deliveries with 3 fours before he was caught behind.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">England were rolled over for 123, with
Tim Southee snaring seven for 33. The Wellington crowd was regaled by scintillating
hitting from McCullum. Facing his second delivery, McCullum slashed Stuart
Broad high above point for a six. He lofted the last three balls of that over
for boundaries. In the next over he slammed James Anderson for two successive
fours. McCullum took on Steven Finn in the succeeding over. He rocketed the
first over cover for six. The next was short and McCullum got under it and
tapped it over the backstop to the ropes. The fourth was pulled for a boundary
and the fifth sent sailing over long-off for another six. Finn was back in the
firing line. Guptill had already despatched his first ball to the square-leg
fence. Finn bounced the third, and McCullum sent it over point for a six, racing
to the fastest fifty in the World Cup off a mere 18 balls, and third fastest
ever in One-day Internationals. He stepped out to the following delivery and
sent it flying over extra-cover for a six once more. McCullum deposited the
next beyond long-off for another six, and hit the last straight for a fourth
consecutive six. A boundary to mid-wicket off Anderson raised the hundred of
the innings in 6.4 overs. As Chris Woakes came on, McCullum played on to his
first delivery. His blistering 77 off 25 deliveries was studded with 7 sixes
and 8 fours. The spectacular hitting left the spectators satiated. The opening
partnership of 105 runs took just 7.1 overs. New Zealand were victors by eight
wickets, with just 12.2 overs bowled.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The face-off between the Trans-Tasman
rivals and joint hosts was a humdinger in which left-arm pacemen ran amok. Trent
Boult bagged five for 27 as Australia were bowled out for 151. McCullum,
though, was in his elements once again. Guptill set the tone as he smoked the
first no-ball for a four and the first legitimate delivery for a six off
Mitchell Johnson. McCullum was not one to be left behind, tonking the second
ball from the other Mitchell, Starc, over extra-cover for a six, and lofted the
fifth over long-off to the fence. Johnson continued, and McCullum blazed on.
The first was full and McCullum sent it soaring over point for a six, and hit
the next high over extra-cover to the pickets. He slashed the fifth to the
third-man boundary. Starc dismissed Guptill for 11; it was 40 for one after 3.5
overs. Kane Williamson was in, and both batsmen helped themselves to boundaries
in the next over from Johnson. After another boundary off Starc, McCullum waded
into Johnson, smacking 4.6.4, and then placing a single to cover. That hoisted his
fifty off just 21 balls. It was the joint third-fastest in the World Cup, the
record in 18 deliveries shattered by him in the previous match. He was caught
at mid-off by Starc off Pat Cummins without adding to his 50. He had hammered 3
sixes and 7 fours. At 72 for two after 7.4 overs, New Zealand seemed to be
sailing. But Starc struck back with two wickets in the next over. Kane
Williamson batted skilfully even as wickets tumbled all around him. As Starc
ripped out two wickets in the 23<sup>rd</sup> over, New Zealand slumped to 146
for nine. Williamson guided his team to
a heart-stopping victory with a six over long-on. Starc finished with six for
28. This was the sixth instance of a one-wicket triumph in the World Cup. It
was a different match before and after McCullum’s innings. The New Zealand
skipper was in a zone of his own.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Afghanistan could muster only 186
runs. McCullum was not going to let go of the opportunity of feasting on their
bowling. He finished the first over from Dawlat Zadran with two sizzling
boundaries. After Guptill played a maiden, McCullum carved two more fours in
Hamid Hassan’s over. The two batsmen clouted a couple of boundaries off Shapoor
Zadran. McCullum hammered Mohammad Nabi square on the off-side to the pickets
and pulled him over mid-wicket for a six. He tried to pull again but was bowled
off the edge. His 42 occupied just 19 deliveries, and he slammed a six and 6
fours. It was 53 for one in 5.5 overs. New Zealand cruised to a six-wicket win.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">McCullum scored just 8 as New Zealand
registered a hard-earned three-wicket triumph over Bangladesh.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As Guptill hammered the West Indies
bowlers for his record unbeaten 237 in the quarter-final, McCullum hit a four
and a six and departed for 12 off 8 balls. It was a huge win for New Zealand.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">South Africa posted a challenging
281 for five in their 43 overs in the rain-curtailed semi-final. The
Duckworth-Lewis method deemed that New Zealand needed to score 298 in 43 overs.
It was a huge task in a high-pressure match. McCullum was off to a flyer. He
bludgeoned Dale Steyn over the covers for a six. Then he turned his attention
on Vernon Philander, hooking him for another six, pulled the next for a four
and sent the last to the long-leg boundary. Another lofted four through the
covers off Steyn was followed by an assault on Morne Morkel. He pull-drove the
first over mid-on to the fence, then pulled to the mid-wicket boundary. In the
next over, McCullum simply launched into Steyn. The first was sent soaring for
a straight six, another was despatched to the long-off boundary and the next
hooked into the crowd. It was another hurricane half-century in 22 balls. A
glance and an exquisite cover-drive fetched two more boundaries. He had smashed
the great fast bowler for 24 runs in the over. Guptill was hardly in evidence thus
far, and he saw off a maiden over from Imran Tahir. Morkel came back to have
McCullum caught by Steyn at mid-on. It may not exactly have been poetic
justice, but certainly relief for the Proteas. McCullum, though had set up a
huge platform with his blistering 59 off 26 deliveries, smashing 4 sixes and 8
fours. New Zealand were 71 for one in 6.1 overs. Thanks to Grant Elliott and
Corey Anderson, New Zealand pulled off a heart-stopping four-wicket win with 1
delivery to spare. Had it not been for McCullum’s whirlwind knock, this triumph
would have been well-nigh impossible. New Zealand won the first of their six
World Cup semi-finals.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The final was a one-sided affair.
McCullum was bowled by Starc for a duck, and New Zealand totalled just 183. Australia
romped home by seven wickets, wresting the Cup for the fifth time. It was,
nevertheless, an extraordinary tournament for McCullum with a strike-rate of
188.50 for his 328 runs with four dazzling fifties. The foundation of New
Zealand’s great run to the final was based on the awesome, often breathtaking,
hitting of captain McCullum.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">His overall strike-rate of 120.84 is
fourth-highest in the World Cup. He has two of the fastest half-centuries, and four
of the quickest nine, in the premier event. He has the fourth-highest
dismissals and fifth-highest catches as wicketkeeper, despite not donning the
gloves in 2015. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Brendon McCullum will be ranked among
the most scintillating hitters in Limited-overs cricket. He will to go down in
the annals of New Zealand cricket as one of their greatest. As an entertainer,
he has few peers in modern cricket. McCullum was worth going miles to see, the
cliché adorning him like few others. That indeed is his hallmark.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(<i>Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s
forthcoming book ‘World Cup Odyssey’</i>).</span></span>Indra Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800239858093978514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874360532152770138.post-72158264631097806552022-11-18T07:16:00.000-08:002022-11-18T07:16:12.066-08:00Road to the Cricket World Cup 2023. Hall of Fame: Kumar Sangakkara<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <b><span lang="EN-US">Kumar Sangakkara: </span><span lang="EN-US">Calibrated ascent into the galaxy of greats</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUb0JDBrCY5Nyq2isNeuWcw5J1XZqL71DtIBVQ8QsmPWHE-aii9d53bjXPJDdzU1aQQlYiyhlUWL2DGmJl5qllE5ZBqT3TaI9GsIhocBeRCcmpmz_3j5vEAUBc2KoxDNxFVoqt3-Vz_Rfl3K7aBeAM122C3UjMrJZM0usIIxrkfPLiCjmUMHKiqLevSw/s2188/KC6D5165%20Kumar%20Sangakkara.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1972" data-original-width="2188" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUb0JDBrCY5Nyq2isNeuWcw5J1XZqL71DtIBVQ8QsmPWHE-aii9d53bjXPJDdzU1aQQlYiyhlUWL2DGmJl5qllE5ZBqT3TaI9GsIhocBeRCcmpmz_3j5vEAUBc2KoxDNxFVoqt3-Vz_Rfl3K7aBeAM122C3UjMrJZM0usIIxrkfPLiCjmUMHKiqLevSw/w400-h360/KC6D5165%20Kumar%20Sangakkara.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kumar Sangakkara.....class act.</td></tr></tbody></table></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BATTING:
Matches 37, Innings 35, Not Out 8, Highest Score 124, Runs 1532, Average 56.74,
Strike-rate 86.55, 100s 5, 50s 7, Catches 41, Stumpings 13</span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It would seem that the burden of wicketkeeping had an adverse impact on
Kumar Sangakkara’s batting in One-day Internationals. For a batsman of his
calibre, for someone who had the strokes, temperament and the right attitude,
it was a matter of time that his average and strike-rate rose in the World Cup
and One-dayers overall. His class is borne out by an average of above 57 in
Test matches with 12,400 runs and 38 hundreds under his belt. With his One-day
average touching almost 42, and an aggregate above 14,000 runs with a strike-rate
of nearly 80, Sangakkara corrected the anomaly. The left-handed stalwart, needless
to say, finds a place in the pantheon of the greats.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sri Lanka began well in the 2003 World Cup
with a fine win over New Zealand and two victories over the minnows, with
Sangakkara hardly in evidence with the bat, but snapping up a number of catches
behind the stumps. Then came that shock defeat at the hands of Kenya at
Nairobi, with Sangakkara failing too, dismissed for 5 by man-of-the-match
Collins Obuya. Even as Sri Lanka pulled off a thrilling six-run win over the
West Indies, Sangakkara’s bat failed to dazzle, and the tale continued in the
tied game with hosts South Africa. Sri Lanka qualified for the super-sixes.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The rampaging Australians were
unstoppable, but Sangakkara attempted to resurrect the innings with a 52-run
fifth-wicket stand with the brilliant Aravinda de Silva, after Sanath
Jayasuriya had retired hurt from a Brett Lee thunderbolt. Just when Sangakkara
was finding form, he was run out for 20.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">India too were in the midst of a golden
run and they decimated Sri Lanka. After piling up 292 for six, the Indian
pacemen had the Lankans on the mat. Sangakkara walked in at 15 for four after
3.4 overs. He tried to fight his way out of trouble, scoring 30 of the 44 runs
that came while he was at the crease. He was sixth out, having hit four
boundaries. Sri Lanka slumped to 78 for nine, before a rollicking last-wicket
stand carried them to 109. It was a humiliating 183-run defeat.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After being singed in the previous two
matches, there was respite against Zimbabwe. Sangakkara was striking the ball
beautifully, putting on 52 for the fourth wicket with opener Marvan Atapattu in
just 6.2 overs. But again, Sangakkara fell when he was promising much. He hit
35 off 25 deliveries with 4 fours. With this easy win Sri Lanka were through to
the semi-finals.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was a tricky St. George’s Park pitch,
and Australia were restricted to 212 for seven, with Sangakkara snapping up
three catches and effecting a stumping. Sri Lanka were never in the game.
Sangakkara came in at 43 for four and kept losing his partners. He was into the
only partnership of significance for the eighth wicket with Chaminda Vaas when
the rain came down. Sangakkara was unbeaten on 39 in a score of 123 for seven,
well behind on the Duckworth-Lewis system. Sri Lanka were out of the tournament
even as Sangakkara’s form improved towards the later stages. To be fair, he
batted mostly at no. 6, where he was either fighting with his back to the wall
or was required to accelerate the scoring-rate. A batsman of his ability needed
to bat higher up the order. He did a commendable job behind the sticks,
claiming 17 victims.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The 2007 World Cup was a topsy-turvy
tournament and performances against a team like Bermuda counted for nothing.
Every Sri Lankan batsman got into stride, and Sangakkara put up his highest
score hitherto of 76 in the premier event.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bangladesh had shocked India, but the Sri
Lankan batsmen were again on song. Sangakkara, now batting at no. 4, strode in
at 137 for one after Jayasuriya twisted his knee and limped off. He put on 65
with Mahela Jayawardene, and 59 with Chamara Silva, before holing out to
long-on. Sangakkara scored 56 off 55 balls, putting his team well on the way to
a total in excess of 300. It was another big win for Sri Lanka as Sangakkara
took three catches.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He would stand up to the stumps regularly
while keeping to the pacemen. He explained, “If you’re bowling at under 140
kph, batsmen will take it upon themselves to walk up the track and take it at
length. It doesn’t matter so long as you train with that in mind. You’ve got
the helmet and you’ve got the pads, so all you need is to hone your skills.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">India desperately needed to win their last
Group B match. Sri Lanka scored 254 for six, giving them a fair chance, with
Sangakkara falling for 15. But the much-vaunted Indian line-up was not up to
the task. The two sub-continental Big Brothers, India and Pakistan, were
bundled out of the prestigious tournament after the brief first stage, stunning
the cricketing world. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, had done all that was asked
of them.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Their first super-six fixture was the
thriller against South Africa. The Lankans could not build any worthwhile
partnership at the top. Sangakkara played himself in and then lost his wicket
for 28. Tillakaratne Dilshan and Russel Arnold scored half-centuries to lift
the total beyond the 200 mark. After Lasith Malinga had created a flutter with
an incredible four wickets off successive balls, the last pair got South Africa
home with 10 balls to spare. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After this jolt, Sri Lanka went on to
trounce hosts West Indies. Sangakkara, though, now batting at no. 3 fell for
just 7.<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The game against England was a thriller,
with Sri Lanka scraping home by 2 runs off the last delivery. Sangakkara could
still not get going, being dismissed for 17.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Lankans were now irresistible. They
restricted New Zealand to 219 for seven. This time the real Sangakkara came to
the fore. He put on exactly a hundred for the second wicket with Jayasuriya, and
then saw his side home to a comfortable triumph through a series of handy
partnerships. It was a polished unbeaten 69 from him spanning 104 deliveries
and comprising 3 boundaries.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now came the big test against the
unstoppable Aussies, and Sri Lanka failed for the first time in the tournament.
Sangakkara was trapped leg-before by the peerless Glenn McGrath for a duck. The
penny had to drop sometime, and it did when most expected.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What a relief it was, then, to be playing
Ireland next, but Sangakkara could not capitalize, falling after scoring just
10. Sri Lanka were already seen as the second-best team in the tournament, and
they took their rightful place in the semi-finals.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">They met New Zealand, put up a strong
total of 289 for five, but Sangakkara continued to frustrate his fans, this
time losing his wicket for 18. The Kiwis could not conjure a fight and Sri
Lanka entered their second World Cup final.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Australia were too strong for all comers
in this tournament, and Adam Gilchrist batted them to the title in this
truncated game with a breathtaking century. After Upul Tharanga fell early,
Sangakkara put up a stirring fight in the company of Jayasuriya. They added 116
for the second wicket in 17.4 overs. Sangakkara struck 6 fours and a stupendous
six off McGrath, skipping down the wicket and lofting him over mid-wicket. It
was sweet revenge for that dismissal for nought in the super-eight stage. The
asking-rate, though, was very steep. Sangakkara brought up a run-a-ball fifty,
slammed Brad Hogg to the extra-cover boundary, but then hit the next delivery
into the hands of Ricky Ponting at mid-wicket. He had carved out 54 runs off 52
deliveries with 6 fours and that six. Sri Lanka now faded away quickly, just as
the light did, and Australia lifted their third straight World Cup title after
some blundering by the umpires. His best innings had come right at the end. It
could not win the World Cup for his team, but it left his admirers wondering
what might have been.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Sangakkara was in superb form
throughout the 2011 World Cup. Now leading the side, he put up a huge 179-run
third-wicket stand with Jayawardene in the lung-opener with minnows Canada in
the south-eastern resort town of Hambantota. Sangakkara missed his century,
caught and bowled by John Davison for 92, laced with 7 fours and a six, and
having faced 87 deliveries. Jayawardene scored a round 100 (81 balls, 9 fours,
1 six), before Davison dismissed him too. Sri Lanka totalled 332 for seven,
while Canada collapsed to 122 all out in 36.5 overs.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> There was next a mighty struggle with Pakistan
who put up 277 for seven at Colombo. Upul Tharanga and Dilshan raised 76 first
up. Both fell in quick succession, as did Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera,
as Shahid Afridi began spinning his magic. Sangakkara was now engaged in a
rearguard operation with Chamara Silva. The pair battled hard, with Sangakkara
even slashing Umar Gul for a six over third-man. When the partnership had
reached 73, Sangakkara, one short of a fifty, stepped out to his opposite
number Afridi and lofted him, only to hole out in the deep. He had 2 boundaries
besides that six in his 61 balls. Some of the lower order did put up a stirring
fight but Sri Lanka were beaten by 11 runs.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Kenya lasted only 43.4 overs, being
bundled out for 142. Malinga did most of the damage, capturing six wickets for
38 including an unprecedented second World Cup hat-trick. Dilshan left after
scoring 44. Sangakkara allied with Tharanga (67 not out, 59 balls, 12 fours) in
a 74-run partnership to usher in victory in the 19<sup>th</sup> over. His
unbeaten 27 off 24 deliveries contained 3 boundaries. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> A downpour forced the
eagerly-awaited face-off with Australia to be abandoned when Sri Lanka were 146
for three in 32.5 overs. Sangakkara was batting serenely on 73, having faced
102 deliveries and struck 7 boundaries. This halted Australia’s winning streak
in the World Cup dating back to 1999.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Zimbabwe were overwhelmed by the
World Cup record opening partnership of 282 between Tharanga and Dilshan.
Batting at no. 5, Sangakkara was unbeaten with 11 when the innings came to a
close at 327 for six. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 188.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> In contrast, the Kiwis dismissed
Tharanga and Dilshan early. Sangakkara, back at one-down, and Jayawardene got
together again in a fine partnership. The hundred came up in 25 overs, and
shortly thereafter Sangakkara raised his 9000<sup>th </sup>run in One-day
Internationals. He reached 50 in 77 balls, and the century partnership was
achieved off just about 25 overs. In their quest to accelerate the scoring-rate,
Sangakkara lofted Scott Styris for a straight six, and Jayawardene played an
exquisite late-cut to the boundary in the same over. As soon as the batting
Powerplay was taken in the 37<sup>th</sup> over, Jayawardene departed after
having scored 66. The partnership was worth 145. Sangakkara then went after Tim
Southee, lofting him square on the off-side off either foot for 4.6.4 off
consecutive deliveries. In the next over he carved Jacob Oram for two
boundaries, punctuated by a leg-glance that brought him a long-awaited hundred.
He had taken 119 balls to achieve the feat. He was castled by Nathan McCullum
for 111, having faced 128 deliveries and struck 12 fours besides the 2 sixes.
Sri Lanka totalled 265 for nine. New Zealand provided feeble resistance, the
middle-order wrecked by Murali the wizard. Sangakkara was man-of-the-match.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> The openers Tharanga and Dilshan
gave no chance to the English in the quarter-final, posting another
double-century partnership, this time an unbroken one of 231 as they coasted to
victory in under 40 overs.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> The adversaries once again in the
semi-final were the Kiwis, who had knocked one of the favourites South Africa
out of the tournament. This time there was more of a contest as they posted 217
before being all out in 48.5 overs, with Sangakkara holding three catches.
After Tharanga left at 40, Dilshan and Sangakkara joined hands in another
crucial partnership. In the 27<sup>th</sup> over Sangakkara launched into a
Nathan McCullum delivery and hit it straight into orbit for a six. The pair
carried the side steadily towards the target, hoisting the century stand in a
bit more than 21 overs. Soon after, Sangakkara raised his fifty off 72
deliveries, Dilshan was dismissed for 73. The partnership was worth 120 in 25.2
overs. Then wickets began to tumble. Sangakkara himself slashed into the hands
of the third-man, having scored 54 from 79 balls and carved 7 boundaries
besides that six. Soon it was 185 for five in the 43<sup>rd</sup> over but no
further alarms as Sri Lanka marched into their second successive World Cup
final with 13 balls to spare. Sangakkara won another man-of-the-match prize.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> There was rebuilding to do once
Tharanga fell for 2 in the final. Sangakkara put on 43 with Dilshan, and then
got together with Jayawardene. The hundred came up in 24 overs, and the fifty
of the partnership off 9.2 overs. But the canny Yuvraj Singh had him edging a
square-cut into the gloves of opposite number Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The stand
was worth 62 in 11.2 overs. It was a priceless breakthrough for India as
Sangakkara departed for 48, having faced 67 deliveries and struck 5 boundaries.
Jayawardene went on to score a superb unbeaten century, and Sri Lanka hit up
274 for six, a total no team had chased in a World Cup final. There was further
joy in their camp as Malinga trapped Virender Sehwag second-ball for a duck,
and then induced the peerless Tendulkar to edge into Sangakkara’s gloves,
having scored 18. There was a hush all over India with the total on 31 for two
in 6.1 overs. But by now it was an inspired home team, and they brought up
victory in the 49<sup>th</sup> over in one of the most thrilling World Cup
finals. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> It was, nevertheless, a brilliant
tournament for Sangakkara. Leading from the front, efficient behind the stumps
with 14 victims, and third-highest scorer in the tournament after Dilshan and
Tendulkar, nothing more could be asked of him. Not once did he fail with the
bat, his 465 runs coming at a tremendous average of 93, and a strike-rate of
83.78. This was Kumar Sangakkara at his very best. </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -.3pt; mso-outline-level: 1; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is interesting to
compare Sangakkara’s World Cup figures at that stage with those of Adam
Gilchrist. In 31 matches the Australian great scored 1085 runs at an average of
36.16 and a strike-rate of 98.01, with 45 catches and 7 stumpings. In 30
matches the Sri Lankan star had scored 991 runs at an average of 45.04 and a
strike-rate of 78.71, with 36 catches and 10 stumpings. Gilchrist had the most
catches, and Sangakkara the most stumpings, in the World Cup. Gilchrist had his
nose far ahead for his blistering batting strike-rate, which made him a match-winner,
but Sangakkara had a better average. There is little doubt, though, as to who
the two best wicketkeeper-batsmen in the World Cup were, interestingly both
left-handers.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -.3pt; mso-outline-level: 1; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sangakkara was
irresistible in the 2015 event. The captaincy had passed to Angelo Mathews. New
Zealand trounced Sri Lanka in the opening match, posting 331 for six. Lahiru
Thirimanne and Dilshan raised 67 first up in 13 overs before Sangakkara walked
in. He put on 57 with Thirimanne off 9 overs before the latter was castled by
Trent Boult for 65. Jayawardene fell for a duck, and in his next over Boult
trapped Sangakkara leg-before for 39, scored off 38 deliveries. It was now an
uphill task for Sri Lanka. They were bowled out for 233 in 46.1 overs.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -.3pt; mso-outline-level: 1; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The only real failure for
Sangakkara in this tournament was against the unheralded but spirited
Afghanistan. Having posted 232, the Afghans caused a sensation, dismissing both
the openers for ducks. Sangakkara was bowled for 7 but Jayawadene scored a
superb 100, and Thisara Perera hit a hurricane 47 off 26 deliveries to post a
four-wicket win.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was a different story in the next game
versus Bangladesh. Thirimamme and Dilshan knocked up 122 for the first wicket
in 24.3 overs. Sangakkara was playing his 400<sup>th</sup> One-day
International, joining an exclusive club comprising Sanath Jayasuriya, Sachin
Tendulkar and Mahela Jayawardene. Along with Dilshan, he gradually raised the
tempo, hitting hardly anything in the air. Their century stand came up in 16.2
overs. Sangakkara raced to his fastest hundred in One-day Internationals, off
just 73 balls, in the last over. The double century partnership arrived in 24.5
overs. They hammered 16 boundaries in the last six-and a half overs. Theirs was
a huge unbroken second-wicket partnership of 212 runs in 25.3 overs, Sri
Lanka’s highest for the second wicket in One-day Internationals, and their
third-highest partnership for any wicket in the World Cup. This was only the
second time that century partnerships were posted for the first two wickets in
the World Cup. India achieved this feat against South Africa in 2011. Sangakkara
was unbeaten with 105 spanning 76 deliveries, and embellished with a six and 13
fours. Dilshan was not out at 161 (146 balls, 22 boundaries), the highest score
for Sri Lanka in the World Cup, overhauling Aravinda de Silva’s 145 against
Kenya in 1996. Sangakkara excelled behind the stumps too, snapping up 2 catches
and effecting a stumping. He was the third to achieve this feat of a century
and three dismissals in the World Cup, emulating Brendon McCullum and Adam
Gilchrist. Sangakkara took his 400<sup>th</sup> catch in One-day Internationals
as wicketkeeper and fielder. Bangladesh folded up for 240.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> England scored an imposing 309 for six,
thanks to a superb 121 (108 balls, 2 sixes, 14 fours) by Joe Root. Once again
Thirimanne and Dilshan posted a century opening partnership, a round 100 in 19
overs. This time Dilshan was the first to leave for 44. Sangakkara was into his
stride rightaway, and reached his fifty in 45 deliveries. He then stepped on
the pedal, with several hits to the fence and a couple over it off Steven Finn.
The century stand took just 16.1 overs. Thirimanne brought up his hundred from
117 balls. Sangakkara did not take much longer to hoist his own century off
just 70 deliveries, the second fifty taking just 25 balls. It was superb
batsmanship by the maestro, a successive three-figure knock by him. They
continued to cruise, the 200 partnership logged up in 27 overs. The English
bowlers made no impression on the pair and they cantered to a stunning nine-wicket
victory, Thirimanne putting a final seal with a six that went soaring over
long-on. The only other previous instance of chasing down a target of above 300
runs losing just 1 wicket in all One-day Internationals was when India beat
Australia at Jaipur in 2013. It was a massive unbroken second-wicket
partnership of 212 runs in 28.2 overs. Sri Lanka achieved the unique
distinction of recording century partnerships for the first wicket and double
century partnerships for the second wicket in successive matches. The same
three batsmen were associated in these. Sangakkara was unbeaten with 117 off a
mere 86 balls, dotted with 2 sixes and 11 fours. He was man-of-the-match.
Thirimanne was 139 not out (143 deliveries, 2 sixes, 13 fours). Sri Lankan
batting was on a huge high, led by exquisite strokeplay from Sangakkara.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Glenn Maxwell blasted a century off
a mere 51 balls, second fastest in the World Cup after Irishman Kevin O’Brien’s
whirlwind hundred in 50 deliveries in 2011, and Australia’s fastest hundred in
One-day Internationals. With the other batsmen also pitching in, the Aussies
piled up 376 for nine. This time Thirimanne fell early but Sangakkara and
Dilshan got together in another century partnership. Dilshan hammered Mitchell
Johnson for six boundaries in the 6<sup>th</sup> over. Sangakkara was again in
sublime form, ringing in his fifty in 45 balls. They put on 130 in 19.5 overs
when Dilshan departed for 62. Sangakkara slammed James Faulkner for three
successive boundaries as Jayawardene helped add another 53 before being run
out. Soon Sangakkara became the first to hit up three consecutive centuries in
the World Cup, reaching the landmark in exactly 100 deliveries. He mistimed one
from Faulkner to be caught in the covers for 104, having faced 107 balls and
struck 11 boundaries. Despite some fireworks by the later batsmen, Sri Lanka
folded up for 312 in 46.2 overs. </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There was a relaxed
outing next with Scotland. Yet again Sangakkara and Dilshan were in tandem,
this time logging up a near double-century stand, 195 to be exact in 28.5
overs. They cruised almost until the half-way mark of the innings, the century
partnership spread over 19 overs, and then changed gears. They brought up their
hundreds off consecutive deliveries in the 34<sup>th</sup> over. It was
Dilshan’s fourth century in the World Cup, and an unprecedented fourth
consecutive hundred by Sangakkara in the World Cup and in all One-Day
Internationals. This was his fifth ton in the premier event, emulating the feat
of the former Australian captain Ricky Ponting. Only the Indian superstar
Sachin Tendulkar had more, with six to his credit. Dilshan was out soon for 104
(99 balls, 1 six, 10 fours). Sangakkara blazed on, clattering Alasdair Evans
for 6.4.4.4.4 in the 36<sup>th</sup> over. Jayawardene and Sangakkara were
dismissed off successive deliveries from Josh Davey. Sangakkara stroked 124 attractive
runs from 95 deliveries, embellished with 4 sixes and 13 fours. As Angelo
Matthews sprinted to his fifty in just 20 balls, Sri Lanka posted 363 for nine.
Scotland could only total 215. Sangakkara won another man-of-the-match prize.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">The quarter-final just did not go Sri Lanka’s way. With
Kusal Perera opening, Thirimanne dropped down to no. 4. Perera was dismissed
for 3, and Dilshan for zero. Thirimanne was enterprising in his association
with Sangakkara, who dropped anchor. They added 65 in 15 overs before
Thirimanne was caught and bowled by Imran Tahir. Wickets tumbled regularly.
Sangakkara hung on till he was ninth out for 45, with the total only 127 after
36.2 overs. He had squared up to 96 deliveries and hit three boundaries. Sri
Lanka were bowled out for 133. Jean-Paul Duminy grabbed a hat-trick, while
Tahir snapped up four wickets. </span><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The great Kumar Sangakkara retired from One-day
Internationals with 14,234 runs, 402 catches (383 as wicketkeeper) and 99
stumpings in 404 matches. His aggregate was second only to the inimitable
Sachin Tendulkar who hit up 18,426 runs in 463 games. In the World Cup,
Sangakkara was the third-highest run-getter with 1,532 runs, behind Tendulkar
(2,278 runs) and Ricky Ponting (1,743 runs). Sangakkara’s 482 dismissals were a
record in One-day Internationals ahead of Adam Gilchrist who had 472 to his
name. In the World Cup too, Sangakkara held the record with 54 dismissals, to
Gilchrist’s 52. Sangakkara had by far the most stumpings totalling 13, and the
second-highest number of catches at 41, to Gilchrist’s 45.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"> Sangakkara’s
stint in the World Cup is a microcosm of his calibrated ascent into the galaxy
of greats. His graph kept rising until he found himself among the best-ever, blossoming
into consistency personified. A technically correct batsman, he could play
shots all round the wicket off either foot without ever looking brutal. He had
rare finesse with the willow like few others did. </span><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span></p>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(<i>Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s
forthcoming book ‘World Cup Odyssey’</i>).</span></span>Indra Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800239858093978514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874360532152770138.post-70072570508881941702022-11-18T06:01:00.002-08:002022-11-18T06:03:37.455-08:00Road to the Cricket World Cup 2023. Hall of Fame: Mahela Jayawardene<p align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="mso-outline-level: 1; tab-stops: 0cm; text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mahela Jayawardene: A touch of class<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoBodyText"><b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrkaGpprfbciCQSueCqd9khw4JAMbg5HFTcrNYbz2xD7veA3JBNmdeGRBA71-r1v7EUlwNA5hTxw8xWRFfCq7u0hu_bcfHyBQ9kZrzoeQB7ITt4nGqaNh5orRqfpZiD_On54PBuR549j61_iAqMk5Cx84awPihKzEgazzxtrNjJX0X9iYGSLikyj2Vw/s2072/KC6D1168%20Mahela%20Jayawardene.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2072" data-original-width="1672" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrkaGpprfbciCQSueCqd9khw4JAMbg5HFTcrNYbz2xD7veA3JBNmdeGRBA71-r1v7EUlwNA5hTxw8xWRFfCq7u0hu_bcfHyBQ9kZrzoeQB7ITt4nGqaNh5orRqfpZiD_On54PBuR549j61_iAqMk5Cx84awPihKzEgazzxtrNjJX0X9iYGSLikyj2Vw/w323-h400/KC6D1168%20Mahela%20Jayawardene.JPG" width="323" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">After forgettable
early forays, Mahela Jayawardene showcased his true class in the 2007 and 2011
World Cup</span><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> tournament</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">s, Sri Lanka
finishing runners-up in both.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span></span></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US">ONE-DAY
WORLD CUP BATTING: Matches 40, Innings 34, Not Out 3, Highest Score 115*, Runs 1100,
Average 35.48, Strike-rate </span></b><b><span lang="EN-US">85.93,</span><span lang="EN-US"> 100s
4, 50s 5, Catches 16</span></b><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stylish
and classy, Mahela Jayawardene is one of the finest batsmen to emerge from the
Emerald Islands. He made a moderate start in the 1999 World Cup, and had a
horrific time in 2003, but in the manner of the true champion that he was,
Jayawardene put his pedigree on display in the next two tournaments. Having
retired with nearly 12,000 exquisite runs in Test matches at an average of
nearly 50 and 34 hundreds, and over 12,500 runs in One-day Internationals too,
his place in history is guaranteed. In terms of pure statistics, a highest Test
score of 374 and the highest-ever Test partnership of 624, with another
compatriot of the highest class Kumar Sangakkara for the third wicket, bring
Jayawardene’s temperament, concentration, application, discipline and
dedication into sharp focus. He also held the record for the highest
fourth-wicket partnership of 437 in Test matches with Thilan Samaraweera.
Amazingly, the Test record of 351 for the sixth wicket in alliance with
Prasanna Jayawardene also stood to the name of Mahela until eclipsed by a run
in 2014. He has another 300-plus runs partnership to his credit at that level,
once again in tandem with Sangakkara, raising 311 for the third wicket.
Certainly, in terms of Test match partnerships, Mahela Jayawardene has been
Bradmanesque.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> On World Cup debut in 1999,
Jayawardene walked into a crisis at 31 for five as the South African pacemen
wreaked havoc. He added 35 with Roshan Mahanama before being dismissed for 22,
and Sri Lanka collapsed to 110 all out, suffering a heavy defeat. In the next
game he put on 42 with Marvan Atapattu, scoring 31 in a four-wicket victory
over Zimbabwe. As Sri Lanka brought up a consolation win over Kenya in their
last group match before bowing out, Jayawardene hit up 45 runs off 33
deliveries with 7 boundaries. He shared a hurricane 64-run eighth-wicket stand
with Chaminda Vaas in 7.3 overs. It was not a happy tournament for the reigning
champions, and Jayawardene sparkled briefly.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> The 2003 World Cup was a nightmare
for Jayawardene with a scoreline of 1, 5, 9, 1, 0, 0 and 5. Sri Lanka advanced
to the semi-final where they lost to an invincible Australian team.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Putting behind this aberration,
Jayawardene performed splendidly as he led his country in 2007. There was a
no-contest first-up, with first-timers Bermuda in no position to put up a
challenge. Jayawardene joined hands with Sangakkara in a huge partnership of
150 runs at almost 6 runs per over. He left after scoring 85 off 90 balls with
6 fours and 2 sixes. Sri Lanka registered a 243-run win.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Next, Bangladesh capsized easily, with
Jayawardene up knocking 46 runs, facing 70 deliveries and striking 2 fours and
2 sixes. It was another easy victory. India found themselves in a desperate
situation, having been upset by Bangladesh in their opening match. Sri Lanka
did well to log up 254 runs but Jayawardene fell early. India faltered in their
chase and were knocked out, just as Pakistan too were.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> The super-eight match at the
Providence Stadium, Guyana, turned into an edge-of-the-seat affair thanks to
Lasith Malinga’s hat-trick. Eventually South Africa scraped through by one
wicket. Earlier, Jayawardene managed just 12 runs.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hosts West Indies prised out two early Sri
Lankan wickets at the same venue. Jayawardene joined Sanath Jayasuriya with the
total at 35 after 8.4 overs. They were watchful till the 16<sup>th</sup> over,
after which Jayasuriya turned Ian Bradshaw to the fine-leg fence and then
bludgeoned him over mid-off for another boundary. In the next over Jayasuriya
slammed Dwayne Smith for 3 fours and a six. The floodgates were open.
Jayasuriya continued to attack but Jayawardene had still not struck a boundary
in 68 balls, with 33 runs to his name. He then went down the wicket to Dwayne
Bravo and lofted him on the leg-side for a six to raise the hundred of the
stand in 112 balls. Jayasuriya hoisted his century off just 86 deliveries. He
was finally out for 115, having taken on 101 balls and blasted 10 fours and 4
sixes, another Jayasuriya special. The partnership tallied 183 runs in 30
overs. Jayawardene was yorked for 82, carved out in 113 deliveries, strangely
hitting only 2 boundaries besides that six. The match turned one-sided as the
West Indies could not mount a challenge.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was then Sri Lanka’s turn to eke out a
narrow two-run win over England off the last ball of the match. Jayawardene was
in fine nick once again, partnering Upul Tharanga in a 91-run stand for the
third wicket. Jayawardene raised his fifty in 51 balls but was soon caught at
mid-wicket for 56, having been in for 61 deliveries and stroked 4 boundaries.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Kiwis were overcome easily by six
wickets, though Jayawardene scored only 15.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He was back among the runs facing an
invincible Australian side. As three wickets fell for 27, Jayawardene found an
able ally in Chamara Silva. Having taken his time to settle down, Jayawardene
sent two short deliveries from Glenn McGrath to the boundary in the 12<sup>th</sup>
over. Silva hit 2 fours of his own off Shaun Tait in the next over. The innings
was back on track. With the third Powerplay coming up in the 31<sup>st</sup>
over, Jayawardene played a delicate leg-glance off Tait to the boundary and
then hooked the paceman for a six to bring up his half-century off 64
deliveries. This also marked the century stand. Chinaman bowler Brad Hogg
accounted for both batsmen in successive overs, the partnership worth 140 in
30.4 overs. Jayawardene was stumped by Gilchrist off a beauty, having played a
typically accomplished innings of 72, and negotiated 88 balls dotted with 5
fours and a six. A total of 226 posed little problem to the Aussie powerhouse.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Ireland were shot out for 77 in 27.4
overs. Sri Lanka raced to an eight-wicket win in all of 10 overs. Jayasuriya
and Jayawardene came together in an unfinished stand 56 in 6.4 overs.
Jayawardene’s unbeaten 39 came off 27 deliveries, punctuated by 6 boundaries
and one strike over the ropes. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Blessed with a keen sense of
occasion, Jayawardene stroked his way to a brilliant century off the Kiwi
bowlers in the semi-final. His partners contributed to the cause in four
valuable partnerships. As against the West Indies, Jayawardene was steady off
the mark, with Tharanga blazing away. When the opener was bowled for 73 (74
balls, 9 fours, 1 six), the pair had put on 44. Jayawardene was then on 9 off
33 deliveries with no boundary. This time he hit his first four off the 48<sup>th</sup>
ball that he faced, a pull off Scott Styris. Another 41 runs were added with
Chamara Silva. Joined by Tillakaratne Dilshan, the patient Jayawardene soon
found the boundary regularly. In the 44<sup>th</sup> over Jayawardene lofted
Jacob Oram for a six, and in the next got a lucky six off Jeetan Patel. Dilshan
helped raise 81 for the fifth wicket. Jayawardene stepped on the accelerator
after the departure of Dilshan. He hit a flurry of boundary that had everyone
applauding in admiration. This was vintage Jayawardene, now totally in command.
He brought up a magnificent hundred from 104 balls with an exquisite square-cut
to the ropes in the penultimate over. As Shane Bond came on to deliver the
final over, Jayawardene square-drove him to the boundary. He then despatched a
full toss over mid-wicket for a six. Sri Lanka totalled 289 for five. Russel
Arnold had helped him add an unbroken 56. Jayawardene was unbeaten with 115,
having faced 109 deliveries, embellished with 10 fours and 3 sixes, an innings
from the top drawer. It was his first century in 21 visits to the crease in the
World Cup. At last, he had set the record straight. New Zealand seemed in the
hunt for a brief while but once magical Murali had the spherical weapon in his
hand, they were shot out for 208.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> A scintillating hundred by Adam
Gilchrist virtually settled the issue in the final. Jayasuriya and Sangakkara
did brighten up Sri Lanka’s chances with a second-wicket century stand but as
darkness fell over Bridgetown it was the Australian team that lifted the ICC
World Cup for the third successive time. Jayawardene scored just 19, but it was
a fine tournament for him. He was the second-highest run-getter in the event
after Matthew Hayden, and just ahead of Ricky Ponting, with 548 runs at an
average of 60.88 with a century and 4 half-centuries in 11 matches. Class had
finally shown up on the big stage. </span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-US"> </span></b><span lang="EN-US">The captaincy passed to Sangakkara
for the 2011 tournament, but Jayawardene used the opening fixture with Canada
to score his second hundred in the World Cup. Joining the skipper in a 179-run
third-wicket partnership in just 22.5 overs, the accomplished duo put the
hapless part-timers to the sword. Sangakkara was unlucky to miss his century,
falling for 92, but Jayawardene hoisted an even 100, having faced just 81 balls
and struck 9 boundaries and a six. Sri Lanka triumphed easily by 210 runs.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> There
was a narrow 11-run defeat at the hands of Pakistan in a high-scoring encounter
as Shahid Afridi spun his magic. Jayawardene lost his middle stump to the fiery
Shoaib Akhtar for just 2. His early dismissal might have made a crucial
difference at the end.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kenya were overcome
easily, with Jayawardene not called upon to bat. The rain-marred match against
Australia saw him run out for 23. Zimbabwe were overcome easily but Jayawardene
fell for just 9.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> The
maestro would have been keen to fire in the last league engagement with New
Zealand. Two early wickets fell and there he was once again in the company of
Sangakkara. Though watchful, this time Jayawardene got the boundaries flowing
right from the start. They raised the century stand in a bit more than 25
overs. Jayawardene reached his fifty in 74 balls. Just as the batting Powerplay
was deployed in the 37<sup>th</sup> over, Jayawardene was leg-before for 66,
having faced 89 deliveries and struck 6 fours. The pair had added 145 runs in
31.4 overs. Sangakkara got his long-awaited hundred and Sri Lanka went on to
post 265 for nine. The Kiwis never took flight as the mesmeric Murali cast his
spell yet again.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> England
had provided thrills aplenty in the group matches, but not in the
quarter-final. They managed a score of just 229 for six. The Sri Lankan openers
Tharanga and Dilshan helped themselves to a century each as they cruised to a
ten-wicket triumph in under 40 overs.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">New Zealand were the
adversaries again in the semi-final, and they were bowled out for 217. Sri
Lanka won quite comfortably but Jayawardene fell for 1.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Came
the final in a noisy Wankhede Stadium as India bid to become the first team to
win the World Cup on home turf. After the early loss of Tharanga, it was
Dilshan and Sangakkara who shored up the innings. When Dilshan was dismissed at
60, old mates Sangakkara and Jayawardene joined forces one more time. Again on
the big occasion Jayawardene was in splendid touch, carving out some superbly timed
boundaries. Sangakkara departed after a partnership of 62, and Jayawardene
found useful support right down the order. Samaraweera helped add another 57 as
Jayawardene continued to pace his innings beautifully, not once swinging his
bat violently nor playing an ugly shot. He rung in his fifty off 49 deliveries.
Though two quick wickets fell, Nuwan Kulasekera was at hand to carry forward
the fight. The batting Powerplay was taken at the last possible moment in the
46<sup>th</sup> over, and the dam burst. Boundaries began to come in a torrent.
In the 48<sup>th</sup> over, Kulasekera clattered Zaheer Khan over mid-wicket
for a six. Jayawardene then lofted two boundaries on the off-side to post a
magnificent hundred, having taken just 84 balls to reach the coveted landmark.
Kulasekara was run out off the last ball of the over, the pair having added 66.
Thisara Perera got most of the strike thereafter and in the last over simply
waded into Zaheer Khan. He hammered two boundaries before launching the last
delivery into orbit for a six over mid-wicket. Eighteen runs came in that over,
and Sri Lanka had hoisted a score of 274 for six. Jayawardene was unbeaten with
103, scored in only 88 balls, striking 13 boundaries. He leapt in the air,
punching his fist joyfully. No side had chased so many runs in a World Cup
final. India, though, were a team inspired and the rest is history.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Jayawardene
had rounded off the tournament splendidly with his bat. Over 300 runs, an
average of 50-plus, a strike-rate of 100, two centuries and a fifty made a neat
package. He played a vital role in Sri Lanka reaching their second consecutive
final.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The 2015 World Cup was
essentially about one match, the face-off against the minnows Afghanistan who
gave Sri Lanka a run for their money. Jayawardene scored a round 100 as he
carried his side towards a hard-earned win. In his other four innings he scored
a total of 25 runs.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US">After a duck in the
opening encounter with New Zealand, Jayawardene revelled at the expense of the
Afghan attack. Chasing a target of 233. Sri Lanka were in serious trouble,
having lost Lahiru Thirimanne, Dilshan and Sangakkara for just 18 when
Jayawardene walked in. Dimuth Karunaratne too departed at 51. That was when
Jayawardene allied with skipper Angelo Mathews in a partnership that turned
around the innings. Jayawardene brought up the 1,000<sup>th</sup> run of his
World Cup career. The pair put on </span><span lang="EN-US">126 runs in 28.3
overs before Mathews was run out for 44. Jayawardene soon raised his fourth
World Cup hundred off 118 deliveries, one of class and finesse that saved his
team the blushes. He did not add to it, being dismissed after facing another
two balls. His innings was embellished with a six and 8 fours. By this time his
team need another 54 runs off 52 deliveries. A hurricane unbeaten 47 from 26
balls by Thisara Perera ensured victory with 1.4 overs to spare.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thereafter Jayawardene was able to score just 25 runs in
the three matches that he got to bat as Sri Lanka were beaten by South Africa
in the quarter-final.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: -0.3pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was in the 2007 and 2011 tournaments that Jayawardene
was at his best. Sri Lanka were runners-up in both the events. That really was
the story of Mahela Jayawardene in the World Cup, not really able to touch the
pinnacle as his average of 35.48 suggests, and does not do justice to a batsman
of his calibre.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: inherit;">(<i>Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s
forthcoming book ‘World Cup Odyssey'</i>). </span></p>Indra Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800239858093978514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874360532152770138.post-80488892622458318732022-11-18T04:56:00.001-08:002022-11-18T04:56:31.214-08:00Road to the Cricket World Cup 2023. Hall of Fame: Shahid Afridi<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="text-align: center;">Shahid
Afridi: Slasher who finally spun his true magic</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qhxYk8VzDbtGWWDycAkvJbLsi1BL7MZm-k59lSBW5LLfWTNNA1wFTUP-C9CZQnQvzAzwVy_nsY722DnALghNd8DbThfm97y_TlqusK-5HnW1PGcjNcUvXjn2I1Ot--rQOR8dizTa3j7gGhQbrIQF9vJqGJq_npSPGx0Sg1xDUZPWO1-ITRjJPdiyNg/s9696/JHWC7831%20Shahid%20Afridi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="9696" data-original-width="7572" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qhxYk8VzDbtGWWDycAkvJbLsi1BL7MZm-k59lSBW5LLfWTNNA1wFTUP-C9CZQnQvzAzwVy_nsY722DnALghNd8DbThfm97y_TlqusK-5HnW1PGcjNcUvXjn2I1Ot--rQOR8dizTa3j7gGhQbrIQF9vJqGJq_npSPGx0Sg1xDUZPWO1-ITRjJPdiyNg/w313-h400/JHWC7831%20Shahid%20Afridi.JPG" width="313" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Shahid Afridi…..World
Cup record four four-wicket hauls in 2011, three in consecutive matches.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoBodyText"><b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BOWLING:
Matches 27, Balls 1104, Maidens 7, Runs 831, Wickets 30, Average 27.70, Best
5/16, RO 4.51, 4 Wkts/Mt 2, 5Wkts/Mt 2, Catches
13</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was in October 1996 that Shahid Afridi burst on the scene with a
blazing hundred in his first innings in One-day Internationals, against Sri
Lanka at Nairobi. Afridi had made his debut two days earlier against Kenya but
did not get to bat as he was penciled in at no. 9, his team triumphing by four
wickets. That hundred, batting at no.3, came in all of 37 balls, fastest at
this level till Kiwi Corey Anderson pipped it by a delivery on the first day of
2014.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Soon drafted in to
open the innings, it was reckoned that he would invariably provide blistering
starts to his team. Though he blasted two of the five quickest, and three of
the ten quickest, tons in One-dayers, and all his 6 hundreds arrived in well
under 100 balls, he was too reckless and indiscreet to be a regular opener. Scintillating
hitter though he was, he could not hold his place as a regular batsman alone,
as his average of 23.57 suggests. He obviously had another skill, that of a
quickish leg-spinner, but the powers-that-be were too slow to realize that his
real utility was as a bowling allrounder who could change the game with both
bat and ball. For that he needed to be utilised as a frontline bowler and a
lower middle-order batsman.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Through three World
Cup tournaments Afridi was barely noticed. A highest score of 37 in his 18
World Cup innings is hardly worthy of an international batsman. At the helm in
2011, he took the ball with a vengeance and emerged as the highest wicket-taker
along with Zaheer Khan, but at a much better average, economy rate as well as
strike-rate. Finally, Afridi came into his own in the World Cup.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> He was up and down the
order in the early English summer of 1999, in and out of the side, sometimes
bowling, at other times not. His only performance of note was a typically
swashbuckling 37 in 29 balls with 2 sixes and a four off the Zimbabweans, in
the Super-sixes, batting at no. 7. Pakistan were runners-up to Australia. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> It was much the same
story in 2003 as the team was bundled out after the first stage. There was one
good bowling stint against England. In his first over he castled Alec Stewart,
and later had Craig White caught by Younis Khan. Afridi bagged two for 36 in
his 8 overs, but England pulled away and registered a huge win.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> The 2007 World Cup was
a sad one for Pakistan in more ways than one. In the solitary match that he
played, Afridi smashed the Zimbabwean bowlers for 16 in 10 balls with a six and
a four in a rollicking partnership of 33 in 3 overs with centurion Imran Nazir.
As rain intervened in the Zimbabwe innings, Afridi bowled the big-hitting Elton
Chigumbura, and rattled the stumps again twice in his next over. He finished
with three for 20 in his 4 overs in a big win. But an upset earlier by Ireland
was enough to knock Pakistan out of the tournament.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> The flamboyant Afridi
was in his elements with the ball in 2011. He revelled in his role as captain
and confined himself to the lower middle-order. After Pakistan had piled up 317
for seven, Afridi flummoxed the Kenyan batsmen with his wily bowling. Veteran
Steve Tikolo stepped out but was beaten in the flight and was bowled. Afridi
then trapped Tanmay Mishra leg-before with a googly as Kenya really began to
slide. In his next over, Afridi slipped in a flipper to skipper Jimmy Kamande
who was rapped on the pad, plumb in front of middle-stump. Another googly, and
another lbw, the experienced Thomas Odoyo sent packing for a duck in the
subsequent over. Amidst all the ruin, Collins Obuya was playing a fighting,
aggressive innings, having struck 3 fours and 3 sixes. With not much hope left,
he lofted Afridi in the following over but holed out at long-on. At the end of
this 8<sup>th</sup> over, Afridi had figures of five for 16, having delivered 3
maidens. This was the best analysis by a captain, and for Pakistan, in the
World Cup. His team won by 205 runs.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> There was a vital
fixture against Sri Lanka next. In characteristic fashion Afridi clouted 16 off
12 balls with 3 boundaries to boost the run-rate. With Sri Lanka sailing along
at 88 for one in the 18<sup>th</sup> over, Afridi’s third delivery went
straight and fizzed through outside the off-stump. The in-form Tillakaratne
Dilshan played on to the stumps trying to cut it. It was a crucial
breakthrough. Afridi then beat Thilan Samaraweera on the forward stroke, and
stumped by Kamran Akmal. Bowling his second spell, Afridi had Kumar Sangakkara
caught for 49, as the captain stepped out, ending an ominous partnership with
Chamara Silva. This was Afridi’s 300<sup>th</sup> wicket in One-day
Internationals, and a prized scalp in a significant match. Angelo Matthews too
came down the wicket to Afridi and holed out in similar fashion, as the wily
bowler shortened the length of the delivery. Afridi finished his quota of 10
overs with a haul of four for 34. Sri Lanka were now 211 for six in 44 overs,
requiring another 67. Nuwan Kulasekara made a spirited effort, striking 24 off
14 deliveries with 2 fours and a six, but Sri Lanka fell short by 11 runs.
Deservedly, Afridi was man of this pulsating match.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Minnows Canada
surprised Pakistan by skittling them for 184 in 43 overs as the ball swung
around under a cloudy Colombo sky. Afridi tonked a quickfire 20 off 17 balls,
and the last four wickets crashed for 3 runs. Canada lost wickets steadily.
Afridi brought himself on first-change in the 11<sup>th</sup> over. The
Canadian batsmen were all at sea against him, and sure enough their captain
Ashish Bagai was deemed leg-before-wicket by the review system to a ball that
went on straight. The sixth delivery of Afridi’s new spell was a flighted
googly, which Rizwan Cheema tried to cart on the on-side and was castled
off-stump. In his next over Jimmy Hansra, who had been battling valiantly, was
beaten by a flipper that took his off-stump. The next delivery was a quick one
that surprised and bowled Harvir Baidwan. Afridi was denied a hat-trick but in
his subsequent over Tyson Gordon threw his bat at a googly, only to be taken in
the outfield. Afridi returned with a haul of five for 23 in his 10 overs,
wresting his second-successive man-of-the-match award, and bagging four or more
wickets in three consecutive matches. The Pakistani skipper was on a high.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> There was a setback at
the hands of New Zealand as Ross Taylor scored a brilliant century on his
birthday. Afridi took just one wicket, conceding 55 runs. Coming in at 45 for
five in the 15<sup>th</sup> over, Afridi played another breezy little innings
of 17 in 9 balls with 2 fours and a six. Pakistan slumped to a 110-run defeat.
Zimbabwe were beaten easily in a rain-shortened game, with Afridi again
securing a sole wicket, having given away 33 runs. Pakistan halted the golden
unbeaten run of the Australians in the World Cup going back to 1999. They
bowled out the thrice-reigning champions for 176 in 46.4 overs, with Afridi
once more taking one wicket, conceding 34 runs this time.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Afridi was in his
elements in the annihilation of the West Indies by 10 wickets in the
quarter-final. Ramnaresh Sarwan had been trying to resurrect the innings along
with old mate Shivnaraine Chanderpaul, and he slashed at one from Afridi
outside off, only to be caught at point. Afridi made a shambles of the West
Indies innings in his next over. Kieron Pollard attempted to cut a delivery
angling in and inside-edged it into the gloves of Kamran Akmal. His subsequent delivery was quick and trapped
Devon Thomas leg-before. He finally knocked back Ravi Rampaul’s leg-stump to
bowl out the West Indies for 112 in 43.3 overs. This time Afridi walked back
with four wickets for 30 in 9.3 overs. The Pakistani openers knocked up the
runs in less than 21 overs.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> This set up the most
electrifying match of the tournament, a semi-final opposite India at Mohali. It
was not a battle for the faint-hearted. After a belligerent Sehwag, it was a
resilient, if lucky, Tendulkar who held centre-stage. Pakistan did not help
matters by committing several blunders in the field. Finally, Afridi himself
held a catch offered by Tendulkar after the maestro had scored 85. Afridi,
though, was wicketless, having expended 45 runs. India’s total of 260 on a
wicket of variable bounce in a high-pressure match was a bit too much. India
ran away winners by 29 runs, Pakistan still unable to beat them in five
encounters in the World Cup.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> It was, nevertheless,
a superb display of leg-spin bowling by Afridi. His 21 wickets came at a
brilliant average of 12.85 and an economy rate of 3.62. He was the only bowler
in the World Cup to capture four wickets or more in three consecutive matches,
and four in the same tournament. In fact no one had even three four-wicket
hauls in the same World Cup. His four four-wicket hauls were level with the
giants of spin, Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan in all World Cup
tournaments. One wonders why the other side of Shahid Afridi was in the shadows
for so long.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-US"> In contrast, the 2015
event was a disaster for Afridi. He took both his wickets in one match, and had
an abysmal bowling average of 141, though the economy-rate was commendable by
modern standards at 4.94. With the bat, in the lower middle-order, he had a
highest of 28 in six innings and an average of 23.20, but his strike-rate was a
typical 133.33. Afridi hit a-run-a-ball 22 as Pakistan slumped to its sixth
defeat to India in as many matches in the World Cup. His 28 off 26 deliveries
came against the West Indies. His best match was in the face-off with minnows
United Arab Emirates as he smashed a hurricane unbeaten 21 off 7 balls and
bagged his two wickets. He played another cameo off 22 from 15 deliveries versus
South Africa. In the quarter-final, he slammed the Australian attack for 23 off
15 balls, as Pakistan bowed out. </span><span lang="EN-US">During the tournament,
Afridi completed the double of 8,000 runs and 300 wickets in One-day
Internationals. The only other player to achieve this feat at the time was Sri
Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> The popular image of
Shahid Afridi is of a swashbuckling batsman, but his role as a quickish
leg-spinner could have been much greater than it was, considering that he
played nearly 400 One-day Internationals. Always a fierce competitor, he was
one of the pin-up boys of Pakistan cricket for well-nigh two decades. In the
World Cup he will be remembered for his incisive bowling in the 2011 tournament.</span></span></p>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(<i>Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s
forthcoming book ‘World Cup Odyssey'</i>).</span></span>Indra Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800239858093978514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874360532152770138.post-3023038633508563082022-10-17T23:49:00.002-07:002022-10-18T00:04:35.708-07:00The phenomenon of Don Bradman before the Bodyline series, and his dominance of the South Africans in 1931-32. Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh's book 'Don's Century'<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfmRSMZDXYBzz74T_qATgjnDSgr5rSpQN5ilxpRZa_zLs2gaZiiOxlivi60RV1B9Yn-TWhB5MD51fCrEpcoh1v-Dbw77B1mv1slOq3jDAChdt8qX1MrxdRfnJ1uPKe74L8ZgFG90uFjXdD6dtuP26qYyQPsudUoSlSWyGUqi0iob2HlHfGmW7q0HBsw/s3539/1254997_10.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2777" data-original-width="3539" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvfmRSMZDXYBzz74T_qATgjnDSgr5rSpQN5ilxpRZa_zLs2gaZiiOxlivi60RV1B9Yn-TWhB5MD51fCrEpcoh1v-Dbw77B1mv1slOq3jDAChdt8qX1MrxdRfnJ1uPKe74L8ZgFG90uFjXdD6dtuP26qYyQPsudUoSlSWyGUqi0iob2HlHfGmW7q0HBsw/s320/1254997_10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">It may not have been an auspicious
beginning to the 1931-32 season, as Bradman was dismissed for a duck against
Queensland. That, as usual, was an aberration for which the bowlers paid
dearly. In an exhibition match to inaugurate an experimental malthoid pitch at
Blackheath, about 100 kilometres west of Sydney, on 3<span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">rd </span>November
1931, Bradman smashed a hundred off 22 deliveries in 3 eight-ball overs.
Representing a Blackheath Invitation XI, Bradman roughed up the bowlers of
Lithgow Pottery in an astonishing hitting spree. In the first over he crashed
33 runs (6.6.4.2.4.4.6.1); in the second he hammered 40 (6.4.4.6.6.4.6.4); in
the third his partner Bill Wendell took a single off the first ball, then
Bradman clouted 6.6.1, Wendell took a single off the next, before Don blasted
4.4.6. It was exactly a hundred. He went on to score 256 in two-and-a-half
hours with 25 fours and 14 sixes. This was not a first-class match, but those
who had been treated to the Bradman magic did not care.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">The South Africans were touring this
season and Bradman had something special in store for them. Woolloongabba, or
the Gabba as it is popularly known, was staging its inaugural Test and the
irrepressible Bradman celebrated the occasion in style. He was unbeaten on 200
at close on the first day. During the course of this 22nd innings of
his 15th Test, he passed 2000 runs. Australia were 341 for six. He
had put on 163 for the second wicket with Woodfull (76) and 81 for the fourth
with McCabe (27). Next morning when his seventh-wicket partnership with
Oldfield (56 not out) was worth 60, Bradman was trapped leg-before for 226. He
had been in for 277 minutes and hit 22 boundaries. Australia totalled 450, and
there was a sense of <i>déjà vu</i> as the
woes of -the West Indies in the previous season began to be replicated by the
South Africans now. They were beaten by an innings and 163 runs, being bowled
out for 170 and 117. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Batting first in the Sydney Test, they
fared no better, dismissed for 153. This time Keith Rigg, playing his second
Test for Australia, was given the opportunity to bat at no. 3. The Victorian
grabbed it with both hands, recording his only Test century, and adding 137 for
the second wicket with Woodfull. Bradman joined Rigg on the second day, and
they put on 111 for the third wicket. Rigg scored a well-compiled 127. McCabe
now joined Bradman, and their stand was worth 93 when The Don was dismissed for
a belligerent 112. He had batted for 155 minutes and hit 10 boundaries. This
time Australia made 469. South Africa folded up for 161. The margin of defeat
was an innings and 155 runs.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">It appeared that there was a reversal
of fortune, and performance, in the third Test at Melbourne, but the South
Africans only flattered to deceive. They got rid of Australia for only 198
runs, with Bradman suffering his only failure of the series, caught behind by
skipper Jock Cameron off Neville Quinn for 2. South Africa then put up a brave
fight with Kenneth Viljoen scoring a resilient century. His 104-run eighth
wicket stand with Quintin McMillan appeared to have taken the game away from
Australia, as they took a first innings lead of 160 runs.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">It was not to be. After he had helped
Ponsford raise a half-century first up, Woodfull, as was his wont, dropped
anchor. And, just as usual, Bradman took charge. By stumps on the third day,
Australia were 206 for one, with Woodfull on 73, and Bradman on the verge of
his 11<sup>th</sup> Test hundred, at 97 not out. He was relentless even after
completing his century. The second-wicket partnership was worth 274 when Bradman
fell for 167. He had batted for just over three hours and hit 18 fours. After
Woodfull’s five-hour vigil encompassing 161 runs and five boundaries ended,
Kippax and McCabe put Australia further ahead. They were finally all out for
554, setting South Africa a target of 395 runs. The task was way beyond the
capabilities of the tourists. They did manage to stretch the Test to the sixth
day even as Grimmett got among the wickets. He finished with six for 92, while
Ironmonger took the other four. South Africa folded up for 225, and Australia
wrapped up the series.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">The South Africans did take some
confidence into the next Test at Adelaide. Bill O’Reilly was now back in tandem
with Grimmett, but the visitors batted well right through the order, led by
Bruce Mitchell and Herbie Taylor. Grimmett bagged seven for 116 as South Africa
totalled 308. Woodfull was again Bradman’s ally after Ponsford fell with only 9
runs on the board. This time they put on 176. Then it was Bradman all the way.
He cantered to his hundred. Kippax and McCabe failed but Rigg hung around while
Bradman blazed away. Rigg contributed 35 to a partnership of 114. The Don
reached his double century, and was aided by Oldfield, Grimmett and O’Reilly.
When the last man, debutant Pud Thurlow joined him, Bradman was closing in on
his triple ton. This time he was to be denied. While Bradman was scampering for
his 300th run, Thurlow was run out. Australia were all out for 513.
Bradman had batted almost through the innings for his unbeaten 299 in six hours
and thirty-six minutes, having hit 23 fours.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Yet again Bradman had taken the game
away from the bewildered South Africans. He had simply pulverized them through
the series. “Every ball is for me the first ball, whether my score is 0 or 200,
and I never visualise the possibility of someone getting me out,” was how The
Don once described his mindset. Even though Mitchell and Taylor fought
valiantly again, it was Grimmett who stole the show with another seven-wicket
haul. His match figures were fourteen for 199, the first time since the First
World War that a bowler had captured so many wickets in a Test. Only 70 runs
were required for a win, which Woodfull and Ponsford hit off without much
difficulty.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">With rain intervening, and the South
Africans a demoralised lot, the final Test at Melbourne produced the
lowest-ever aggregate for a completed Test match. South Africa were shot out
for 36 and 45, and Grimmett was not required to bowl in either innings. In
between Australia were dismissed for 153, with Bradman unable to bat through
injury. Ironmonger this time picked up eleven wickets for 24 runs.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Bradman had hit hundreds - two
centuries and two double-centuries - in each of the four Tests that he batted.
Geoffrey Tebbutt said of his style: “Do not assume that young Don is a batsman
without delicacy of touch. I have seen him score many hundreds, in his many
thousands of runs, by strokes of a delicacy which a billiardist might envy.” He
aggregated 806 runs at an average of 201.50, best-ever in a five-Test series.
The next best on either side was Woodfull with 421 runs at 70.16 per innings
and one hundred, and he batted in all five Tests. The only other centurions
were Rigg and Viljoen, who also got one each. That was the extent of Bradman’s
dominance. At the time this was the third-highest aggregate in a Test series
after his own 974 in 1930 and Hammond’s 905 in 1928-29. Grimmett and Ironmonger
took 64 wickets between them.</span></p>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">In
ten first-class matches of this season, Bradman scored 1403 runs at an average
of 116.91 with 7 three-figure knocks. His Test record at this juncture, before
the Bodyline series, stood at 19 matches, 2695 runs at an average of 112.29, 6
hundreds, 5 double hundreds and a triple hundred. Complementing these
mesmerising statistics were the record knocks in first-class as well as Test
cricket. Such was the phenomenon of Bradman. The cricket world was aghast, and
it was now up to the English, who were touring the next season, to devise a
strategy to contain him.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div>
(<i>Author Indra Vikram Singh can be contacted on email singh_iv@hotmail.com</i>).</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqDT-r2u39wTREtahCfR6PoXFs8FvBmkHO3D6bD5DNcmEuekji2vJDKWH-ag71C1Y5vgzkJdySaLIPrRZ7LR873U3dscffhJBDCWBAQRiHKI2hnVQcUYqIaC8rbE_u7nvYxBrorhvGw31kjEC4ysFUh1yfNf7Pj2LNbOs1mPqum5YnGUUVV3u-ZxPXA/s896/Don's%20Century%20cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="679" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqDT-r2u39wTREtahCfR6PoXFs8FvBmkHO3D6bD5DNcmEuekji2vJDKWH-ag71C1Y5vgzkJdySaLIPrRZ7LR873U3dscffhJBDCWBAQRiHKI2hnVQcUYqIaC8rbE_u7nvYxBrorhvGw31kjEC4ysFUh1yfNf7Pj2LNbOs1mPqum5YnGUUVV3u-ZxPXA/w152-h200/Don's%20Century%20cover.jpg" width="152" /></a></div>Don’s Century</b> </div><div>Published in India by Sporting Links </div><div>ISBN 978-81-901668-5-0 </div><div>Fully illustrated </div><div>Paperback French Fold </div><div>11 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches </div><div>Weight 480 grams </div><div>188 pages</div><div> </div><div>Available
on Amazon at an attractive price: https://www.amazon.in/dp/8190166859 </div><div><br /></div><div>Indra
Vikram Singh's other books available on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.in/s?k=Indra+Vikram+Singh&i=stripbooks&rh=p_6%3AA3HSV0N9AV7NOK&dc&qid=1602408830&rnid=131474031&ref=sr_nr_p_6_1</div>Indra Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800239858093978514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874360532152770138.post-53996054596514551432022-09-11T03:44:00.001-07:002022-09-11T03:50:02.093-07:00Remembering K.S. Ranjitsinhji on his 150th birth anniversary. Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s book ‘Don’s Century’<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzW0xST-hokOj4kR4pF1LlRv_mTErS941Mo5f8tlA78rNxneQ_XOqSrBq19wUgd_tyTsimniW-Ry7VXq-PPl5_7nt-MPJInc_96Jj15oQDaRG9hqae1O-mixPc_kgjMcoKQa-BXNKaWrcSo_6njM5gD6t5QDNYYQhZnTsDflGBf_4-PvDSxOCmBoowGg/s4096/PA-4410157%20-%20Ranjitsinhji.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="2874" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzW0xST-hokOj4kR4pF1LlRv_mTErS941Mo5f8tlA78rNxneQ_XOqSrBq19wUgd_tyTsimniW-Ry7VXq-PPl5_7nt-MPJInc_96Jj15oQDaRG9hqae1O-mixPc_kgjMcoKQa-BXNKaWrcSo_6njM5gD6t5QDNYYQhZnTsDflGBf_4-PvDSxOCmBoowGg/w281-h400/PA-4410157%20-%20Ranjitsinhji.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">On the birth
anniversary of K.S. Ranjitsinhji, 10</span><sup style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">th</sup><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> September 2022, we remember
one of the greats of batting who went on to become Maharaja Jam Saheb of
Nawanagar. Reproduced below is an excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s book ‘Don’s
Century’:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Batting,
having already been defined by Grace, saw its next two stars descend from
distant lands. If Prince Ranjitsinhji, later the Jam Saheb of Nawanagar,
delighted with his artistry at the crease, the Aussie Victor Trumper provided the
thrills with his panache. The very thought of Ranji conjures images of the
leg-glance. He was the inventor of the shot, one that was patently his own and
an early glimpse of the suppleness of wrists that characterised the batting of
later Indian stalwarts Gundappa Viswanath, Mohammad Azharuddin and V.V.S.
Laxman.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ranji worked
hard to hone his talent, hiring professional bowlers from Surrey while he was
at Cambridge. Simon Wilde wrote in his biography <i>Ranji A Genius Rich and Strange</i>: “He practised with as much purpose
whether he had just been out for 100 or for 0. He was a severe critic of his
own game, and if he was indeed a genius it was for his infinite capacity for
taking pains, not for becoming a superlative cricketer overnight. He enjoyed
theorizing about the game and putting those theories into practice.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The outcome
was a batting style that was as unique as it was novel, and it perplexed the
English. Cardus elucidated in <i>Good Days</i>
(1934): “In the ‘nineties the game was absolutely English; it was even
Victorian. W.G. Grace for years had stamped on cricket the English mark and the
mark of the period. It was the age of simple first principles, of the stout
respectability of the straight bat and the good-length balls. And then suddenly
this visitation of dusky, supple legerdemain happened; a man was seen playing
cricket as nobody in England could possibly have played it. The honest length
ball was not met by the honest straight bat, but there was a flick of the
wrist, and lo! The straight ball was charmed away to the leg-boundary. And
nobody quite saw or understood how it all happened.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">All those who
saw Ranji bat vouched for the fact that he had an exceptionally quick eye and
could hook the fastest bowling with ease. Though he had appeared in English
first-class cricket since 1893, Ranjitsinhji’s first full season was in 1895
when he made his debut for Sussex against the MCC at Lord’s. He caused an
immediate impact, carving out scores of 77 and 150. From then on he captured
the imagination of the public and became a very popular, even mystical, figure.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The next year
at the age of 23, Ranji topped the first-class averages at 57.92, surpassing
Grace’s record season aggregate by scoring 2780 runs, and equalling the great
senior’s 10 hundreds. In a unique feat, Ranji hit up a century in each innings
of a match on the same day. Resuming at zero not out, he notched up 100 and 125
not out for Sussex against Yorkshire at Hove. The English were reluctant to
pick him in their Test side, but his huge popularity ensured that he was
selected for the second match. Appropriately, Ranji became the second England
batsman after Grace to score a hundred on Test debut, an unbeaten 154 against
Australia at Manchester, having hit 62 in the first innings. In the process he nearly
pulled off an improbable win. In the 1897 season, Ranji scored 1940 runs at an
average of 45.12. He hit up his first double-century, 260 in just 250 minutes
with 36 fours and a six against MCC at Lord’s, the highest by a Sussex batsman.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjWpRJ3WNHIbb5eANNMfiBmUhVUrGffz-xqu51qSgf0iudmq2dy1xzKM8nmzyp6XToFCaCJmXMuA5r3UWVW_E3ZXJYlc6i8mF5s6a1i9r6tRf6xTFX8X1AwntOk9bJ_k-WzYutnzulaGIN92Qqxdj4YQAqtO9dzo2627Ymlm_nITIwZmYrkPUeN7YTw/s720/WG%20Grace%20and%20KS%20Ranjitsinhji.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="578" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjWpRJ3WNHIbb5eANNMfiBmUhVUrGffz-xqu51qSgf0iudmq2dy1xzKM8nmzyp6XToFCaCJmXMuA5r3UWVW_E3ZXJYlc6i8mF5s6a1i9r6tRf6xTFX8X1AwntOk9bJ_k-WzYutnzulaGIN92Qqxdj4YQAqtO9dzo2627Ymlm_nITIwZmYrkPUeN7YTw/w321-h400/WG%20Grace%20and%20KS%20Ranjitsinhji.jpg" width="321" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">K.S. Ranjitsinhji (left) with W.G. Grace</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Ranji never
took the tedious sea journeys well. Prone to attacks of asthma, he was taken
ill during the month-long voyage to Australia in 1897-98, even though he joined
the team only in the south of the European Continent. He was still unwell when
the first Test began in Sydney. Even so, he battled through, carving out a
monumental 175, which was a record for England until R.E. Foster bettered it
with 287 at the same venue six years later. Ranji’s knock enabled England to
win their only Test in a series they lost 1-4. It was a productive tour for him
personally, averaging over 50 in the Tests and over 60 in the first-class
matches. In all he collected 1157 runs. At the end of the tour, Ranji returned
to his homeland after a decade.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Having missed
the English season of 1898 as a result of a long sojourn at home, Ranji’s best
came at the turn of the century, even though he was not quite as slim and his
feet seemed not as nimble. In 1899 he became the first to score 3000 runs in a
season. He bailed out England in the first Test at Nottingham, scoring 42 and
93 not out, and holding Australia to a draw. By the end of the series he had
scored 970 runs in 12 Tests at a brilliant average of 53.88. He amassed 3159
first-class runs at 63.18 per innings.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After a trip
to the United States during the winter, Ranji’s 1900 season was just as
brilliant. So irresistible was his form that he knocked up successive double
centuries, both for Sussex - 222 against Somerset at Hove, and an unbeaten 215
versus Cambridge University at Fenners. Quite the master on rain-affected
wickets, he breezed to 202 in three hours off the Middlesex bowling after a
thunderstorm at Hove, the next highest by a Sussex colleague being 17. His five
double centuries were a record for a season, bettered only by Bradman with six
in 1930. Everton Weekes of the West Indies equalled Ranji’s five double tons
exactly half a century later. The now-unstoppable Ranji logged up 3000 runs for
the second successive season, this time scoring 3065 runs and topping the
averages at a mind-boggling 87.57, hitting up 11 hundreds.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1901 was yet
another splendid season. Again Ranji scored two double centuries in a row, once
more representing his county, an unbeaten 285 against Somerset at Taunton and
204 at the expense of Lancashire at the home ground of Hove. The first was an
amazing feat, not only for the fact that it was his top score and the
highest-ever by a Sussex batsman, but because he was out fishing the entire
previous night! For the 1901 season his tally was 2468 runs at 70.51 per
innings. In three consecutive seasons, Ranjitsinhji had totalled 8692 runs at
an average of 72.43 with 27 hundreds. The wizard from the orient continued to
enchant and befuddle at the same time. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He did not
sail to Australia in 1901-02 and, perhaps due to the troubles in his personal
life, lost form dramatically in the Tests in 1902, managing just 19 runs in
four innings and never played at that level again. He still finished with a
Test average of 44.96, a splendid achievement at the time. In first-class
matches, though, Ranji continued to blaze away till 1904 when he again topped
the 2000 mark as well as the averages - 2077 runs at 74.17.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Succession
issues in Nawanagar kept Ranjitsinhji back in India, and he missed the next
three seasons. He returned to England in 1908 as His Highness The Jam Sahib of
Nawanagar, having being installed as ruler of the 3791 square miles, 13-gun
salute princely State in circumstances so full of intrigue and danger as to
render a racy novel hopelessly mundane. He played that season as well as in
1912, remarkably notching up 1000 runs each time. Ranji was seen on the cricket
field one last time in 1920. Astonishingly, he played three first-class matches
and, as was only to be expected, failed miserably. The fact was that his right
eye had been removed five years earlier when on August 31 he had met with an
accident while shooting grouse on the Yorkshire moors. This was soon after he
returned from France, ending a brief and miserable stint in the army during the
First World War.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUiMtaIhjs38k8yVvqMyHBkKPIYp1yrpHUMm3puvBa_wdRJc6zjzADsDoWcPUdvvLgC5lpWsZRoz3EbY4uUsFDWg2p-DJpRgtnMgmxYGRdkVvsGAjTtZAO9yi6PFUJYlW0Uc0AGeNeuiSTfgrT2zNbXt7sqXxYobCKaQ5C--2fX85JBlQ-mwgdgygHNg/s960/Chamber%20of%20Princes%2025%20Feb%201930%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="960" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUiMtaIhjs38k8yVvqMyHBkKPIYp1yrpHUMm3puvBa_wdRJc6zjzADsDoWcPUdvvLgC5lpWsZRoz3EbY4uUsFDWg2p-DJpRgtnMgmxYGRdkVvsGAjTtZAO9yi6PFUJYlW0Uc0AGeNeuiSTfgrT2zNbXt7sqXxYobCKaQ5C--2fX85JBlQ-mwgdgygHNg/w400-h166/Chamber%20of%20Princes%2025%20Feb%201930%20(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chamber of Princes 1930. Maharaja Jam Saheb Ranjitsinhji of Nawanagar is seated fourth from left. To his right is Maharaja Vijaysinhji of Rajpipla, and to his left is Maharaja Bhupindra Singh of Patiala. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">
It is quite uncanny that another Indian of princely origin and dashing batsman who was also
to lead Sussex, Nawab of Pataudi junior, Mansur Ali Khan, also virtually lost
vision in his right eye after a car accident on July 1, 1961 on the way back to
Hove after dining out at neighbouring Brighton. The difference was that Ranji
had his mishap after his cricket career was over, while Tiger Pataudi met this
fate when his journey in the game had hardly begun.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It was while
Ranji was recuperating, eye still bandaged, that he travelled to Beckenham,
Kent, on October 26, 1915 to attend the funeral of his former England captain
W.G. Grace. The curtain had come down not just on one era, but for all
practical purposes, two.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hartland
summed up the impact of Ranji on the game: “The batting star of the Golden Age
in England was Ranjitsinhji, with a first-class average of 56 - virtually as
high as any English-qualified player has ever achieved and quite phenomenal for
the time, particularly since he scored at around 50 runs an hour. Taking a
qualification of ten thousand runs for all English batsmen who faced their
first ball in the nineteenth century, Ranji’s first-class average is approached
only by Sussex teammate Fry with 50. Test bowling did not slow Ranjitsinhji
much, and the combination of his high average and scoring rate in relation to
others really does mark him as out of the ordinary.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ranji’s
first-class average of 56.37 was the highest for a full career by an England-based
player until as late as 1986 when Geoff Boycott retired with a fractionally
higher average of 56.84. And if one considers that Ranji’s career was all but
over in 1904; his appearances thereafter were sporadic in 1908 and 1912, and
farcical in 1920, his deeds are even more astounding. Upto 1904, Ranji had
scored 22,402 runs at an average of 58.49 with 65 hundreds in 267 matches,
really in less than a decade. That is the true reflection of his genius.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">To the
outside world Ranji was an exceptionally gifted prince who toiled diligently in
the nets to emerge as the finest batsman of his era. Yet not many realised the
inner turmoil that he undoubtedly underwent during his best years at the
wicket, what with the drama of his adoption that never was, the machinations
over his succession as ruler and his financial woes at the time. And he was
laid low by illness for long periods. One has to marvel at the fact that he
excelled at the game under these trying circumstances. Or more likely, he used
them as a spur to motivate himself and to prove to those who mattered that he
was fit to be king.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Yet his charm
transcended all the elegant runs that he made. As Jessop wrote: “From the
moment he stepped out of the pavilion he drew all eyes and held them. No one
who saw him bat will ever forget it. He was the first man I ever knew who wore
silk shirts, and there was something almost romantic about the very flow of his
sleeves and the curve of his shoulders. He drew the crowds wherever he went,
and at the height of his cricket days the shops in Brighton would empty if he
passed along the street. Everyone wanted to see him.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There was
little doubt that Ranjitsinhji had transformed batting forever. As late as
1944, Pelham Warner wrote in <i>The Book of
Cricket</i>: “With his wonderful eye and wrists, he could play back to almost
any ball, however good a length, and however fast. Like Bradman, he seldom
played a genuine forward stroke, for, again like Bradman he found that balls to
which he could not play back he could, with his quickness of foot, get to and
drive.” This ‘play back or drive’ method, however, could only be used by one
with a sharp eye and quicksilver footwork, like a Ranji or a Bradman. English
batsmen attempted to copy it with disastrous results. It takes someone
extraordinary to play in an extraordinary way. Ranji scored more profusely than
anyone had done before, just as Bradman was to do three decades later.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(<i>Author Indra Vikram Singh
can be contacted on email <a href="mailto:singh_iv@hotmail.com">singh_iv@hotmail.com</a></i>).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8PL8HdN4Wx--Toon6v1K-LXug__GcsZrSo025AQbKOJxv1WfaGx0hdSqnVMGpGy4JnCDdzdUOBwwoJcK1lv_-vhI-CnKeP35OaME3rgup8IHXUNYV6sE83gGQyq7J6c_mIqU_WBnAkT1XfVem6e0kMn_afq7qBjK3KnBus-LvYvx2faA7A-qbB1T1w/s896/Don's%20Century%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="679" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8PL8HdN4Wx--Toon6v1K-LXug__GcsZrSo025AQbKOJxv1WfaGx0hdSqnVMGpGy4JnCDdzdUOBwwoJcK1lv_-vhI-CnKeP35OaME3rgup8IHXUNYV6sE83gGQyq7J6c_mIqU_WBnAkT1XfVem6e0kMn_afq7qBjK3KnBus-LvYvx2faA7A-qbB1T1w/w152-h200/Don's%20Century%20cover.jpg" width="152" /></a></b></div><b>Don’s
Century <o:p></o:p></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Published in India by Sporting Links <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ISBN 978-81-901668-5-0 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fully illustrated <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Paperback French Fold <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">11 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Weight 480 grams <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">188 pages </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Available on Amazon at an attractive price: <a href="https://www.amazon.in/dp/8190166859">https://www.amazon.in/dp/8190166859</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Indra Vikram Singh's other books available on Amazon: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.in/s?k=Indra+Vikram+Singh&i=stripbooks&rh=p_6%3AA3HSV0N9AV7NOK&dc&qid=1602408830&rnid=1318474031&ref=sr_nr_p_6_1" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">https://www.amazon.in/s?k=Indra+Vikram+Singh&i=stripbooks&rh=p_6%3AA3HSV0N9AV7NOK&dc&qid=1602408830&rnid=1318474031&ref=sr_nr_p_6_1</a> </p>Indra Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800239858093978514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874360532152770138.post-50099789238168969822022-08-05T03:06:00.006-07:002022-08-05T03:15:13.142-07:00The 1930-31 series, the only time Don Bradman and George Headley came face-to-face in the Test arena. Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s book ‘Don’s Century’<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1iAZdtXlBLCJB9K8-hInQnpOWuNq-_y_Rr0y-UCry20z8MlvHw9G0S_lWKHS4AtgY7mCcKj3ssiU0WLb0E6PON6MfUFHyg8bD8iI3Juy--1ePJO8HW4cIoNLUaZW-egFiadLN2OIysb6Fyn70T8AS0ZuDQRX4iX_9OZ8X_wteL8oYYr3saLy-UVxkg/s2976/PA-1555119%20-%20Bradman%20with%20trophy.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2627" data-original-width="2976" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1iAZdtXlBLCJB9K8-hInQnpOWuNq-_y_Rr0y-UCry20z8MlvHw9G0S_lWKHS4AtgY7mCcKj3ssiU0WLb0E6PON6MfUFHyg8bD8iI3Juy--1ePJO8HW4cIoNLUaZW-egFiadLN2OIysb6Fyn70T8AS0ZuDQRX4iX_9OZ8X_wteL8oYYr3saLy-UVxkg/s320/PA-1555119%20-%20Bradman%20with%20trophy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3mqfqTUyfu9tpCzVzZ7d98c1QjMOV6DAk7Bc4GzdQYs2eH7AvsQWXeDUWAkmqIu9o7JIzFWpt7buN3byHm9-AJ0dgSoY-7SpwlIl221koK_ezlblr2oPkU_veT1opT1r-ecdZ_ItqCwobfV0llX_vMwgkak0XeZ_QIzsdTHMuBWVNcN5DeXmOIUrDQ/s3000/PA-1897458%20-%20George%20Headley.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2630" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3mqfqTUyfu9tpCzVzZ7d98c1QjMOV6DAk7Bc4GzdQYs2eH7AvsQWXeDUWAkmqIu9o7JIzFWpt7buN3byHm9-AJ0dgSoY-7SpwlIl221koK_ezlblr2oPkU_veT1opT1r-ecdZ_ItqCwobfV0llX_vMwgkak0XeZ_QIzsdTHMuBWVNcN5DeXmOIUrDQ/s320/PA-1897458%20-%20George%20Headley.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The West Indies toured Australia in the 1930-31
season, and for the only time in his Test career Bradman came face to face with
George Headley, who came to be known as the black Bradman. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Curiously, neither
did well in the first two Tests, which Australia won easily. In the opening
Test at Adelaide, Bradman needed 26 runs to complete 1000 runs in 1930. He was
out for 4. On 1<sup>st</sup> January 1931 he scored 25 in the second Test at
Sydney, but it was a day too late.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The two maestros reserved their best
for the third encounter at the Exhibition Ground in Brisbane. After Jackson had
been dismissed for a duck, Ponsford and Bradman put on 229 for the second
wicket. Both registered hundreds, and even after Ponsford departed for 109,
there was no respite for the tourists. Kippax allied with Bradman in another
double century stand. The partnership was worth 203 when Kippax left for 84.
Bradman had gone past 200. At close of play on Day One, Australia were 428 for
three, with Bradman on 223. He was out next morning without adding to his
score, having been at the crease for less than five hours and hit 24
boundaries. The eventual total was 558. Headley’s riposte was an unbeaten 102,
as the West Indies were bowled out for 193. Following on, they crumbled for
148, unable to cope with Clarrie Grimmett’s leg-spin.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The disasters continued for the
visitors at Melbourne. They were shot out for 99 in 50 overs with Bert
Ironmonger grabbing seven for 23 in 20 overs. This time Bradman was partnered
by Woodfull in a second-wicket stand of 156. The Don scored 152 at almost at
a-run-a-minute, and Woodfull decided that 328 runs were enough, declaring with
eight wickets down. Indeed they were, as the West Indies were skittled out on
that very second day for 107, with Ironmonger completing a match haul of eleven
for 79.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The West Indies, in their maiden
series against Australia, were completely outclassed in the first four Tests,
annihilated by 10 wickets to begin with, and then by an innings thrice in a
row, the run deficits still being 172, 217 and 122. Quite clearly, the only
real contests in Test cricket still were those for the Ashes.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Having said that, the men from the
sunny Caribbean islands fought back in the final Test, with Headley scoring a
fine century, as also did opener Frank Martin. With the weather playing a part
and the West Indies skipper Jackie Grant making opportune declarations.
Australia were beaten by 30 runs. Bradman registered his first duck in Test
cricket.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ponsford 467 runs (average 77.83) and
Bradman 447 runs (average 74.50) were the outstanding batsmen in the series. No
one else averaged fifty.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The series, however, ended on a
poignant note as well. The brilliant young Archie Jackson, who was rated as
high as Bradman - some said he was even more talented - appeared for Australia
for the last time in the fourth Test. He was diagnosed with tuberculosis, which
in those days, and for decades after, was a deadly disease. At just 19 years of
age and having had the opportunity to play only eight times at the highest
level, destiny had dealt him a cruel blow.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">(<i>Author
Indra Vikram Singh can be contacted on email <a href="mailto:singh_iv@hotmail.com">singh_iv@hotmail.com</a></i>).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjjh-okSqarG6Gehh5fdHtiXa1ZZ2JVlzRfeVy5Ma3XNKRVbXuOstH-kVcjkYTfZSc8znnaGEWKxzhyWPI6AVHNIEX-XXrm_Kv2jAQLem251AU9r_LG94VnUo_9RNgSZO0MmshOcdK69MrvR-XPUSnQYZa_gzk8y8BHblmzAry9zdrLvkjNFQpBAMzA/s896/Don's%20Century%20cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="679" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjjh-okSqarG6Gehh5fdHtiXa1ZZ2JVlzRfeVy5Ma3XNKRVbXuOstH-kVcjkYTfZSc8znnaGEWKxzhyWPI6AVHNIEX-XXrm_Kv2jAQLem251AU9r_LG94VnUo_9RNgSZO0MmshOcdK69MrvR-XPUSnQYZa_gzk8y8BHblmzAry9zdrLvkjNFQpBAMzA/w152-h200/Don's%20Century%20cover.jpg" width="152" /></a></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Don’s
Century <o:p></o:p></span></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Published in India by Sporting
Links <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">ISBN 978-81-901668-5-0 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Fully illustrated <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Paperback French Fold <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">11 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Weight 480 grams <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">188 pages </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Available on Amazon at an attractive
price: <a href="https://www.amazon.in/dp/8190166859">https://www.amazon.in/dp/8190166859</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Indra Vikram Singh's other books
available on Amazon: </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.amazon.in/s?k=Indra+Vikram+Singh&i=stripbooks&rh=p_6%3AA3HSV0N9AV7NOK&dc&qid=1602408830&rnid=1318474031&ref=sr_nr_p_6_1">https://www.amazon.in/s?k=Indra+Vikram+Singh&i=stripbooks&rh=p_6%3AA3HSV0N9AV7NOK&dc&qid=1602408830&rnid=1318474031&ref=sr_nr_p_6_1</a> </span></p>Indra Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800239858093978514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874360532152770138.post-20618708085605671532022-07-06T02:58:00.001-07:002022-07-06T03:06:29.816-07:00How Don Bradman’s magnificent batting brought solace to the people during the Great Depression<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsYZYC-IaqsJdDXK2c_hHUGcaOPo7kveZq4jS_PTflnd75MCWODPQKTccq73YagMMASs5KzmSTIv1wD1V8MiwpQVihqsGEJqDfyTt6DqHyxMy_5mbLtg0lkBF_K6cjRLIs9mV4wfvlt1oFoBmc07ystZBhLR16WQPso36nGdnStiFiniINvTeYKr2oA/s4306/3420727_10.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3339" data-original-width="4306" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZsYZYC-IaqsJdDXK2c_hHUGcaOPo7kveZq4jS_PTflnd75MCWODPQKTccq73YagMMASs5KzmSTIv1wD1V8MiwpQVihqsGEJqDfyTt6DqHyxMy_5mbLtg0lkBF_K6cjRLIs9mV4wfvlt1oFoBmc07ystZBhLR16WQPso36nGdnStiFiniINvTeYKr2oA/w400-h310/3420727_10.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Don
Bradman’s superb batting diverted the minds of the people during the dark days of the
Great Depression</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 107%;">While
Bradman was making his entry into the record books, a significant event that
was to cast its shadow for more than a decade, was occurring on the other side
of the globe. The United States of America, having experienced great prosperity
in the 1920s, post-World War I, saw soaring exports and booming stock markets,
but much of the shares bought with borrowed money. This bubble that had
consequently been created, burst on October 29, 1929, a day that came to be
known as ‘Black Tuesday’.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">The
stock market on Wall Street collapsed. Countless fortunes were lost. The ripple
effect engulfed the entire United States, and then the world. Banks failed,
businesses and factories closed, and international trade came to a virtual
standstill. The markets kept plunging and bottomed out only after three years.
It is believed that 30 million people lost their jobs, half of them in the
United States.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">Australia
too took a big hit as nearly one-third of the people found themselves out of
employment, and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) declined by as much as 25
percent. The Great Depression had set in. It was a period of great economic
hardship that lasted more than a decade.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">It
was exactly during this time leading to the Second World War that Bradman
regaled the crowds with his magical 2 lb 2 oz bat. People thronged to the
grounds to watch his run-sprees, as much as to forget their own miseries. His
deeds brought solace to the multitude that watched, heard or read about his
exploits.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">In
Australia there was the added glee of giving a hiding to the imperial masters,
who protected the interests of their own merchants at the cost of the toiling
masses. The impact of Bradman’s peerless accomplishments went far beyond
providing entertainment and transmitting the joys of sporting excellence. His
record-breaking feats helped lift, at least temporarily, the gloom in people’s
lives, and enabled them to escape into a less depressing world.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif;">When
there was darkness all around, Bradman was one bright light that offered hope
and instilled the courage to battle on. For many, Bradman became the very
reason and purpose for their existence. Someone who has come close to
replicating the joy that Bradman spread has been India’s Sachin Tendulkar.
There has not been a more loved character in recent times than Tendulkar, nor
one who people want to see succeed as much as he.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif;">When it was later pointed
out to The Don that he had helped so many cope with the pain of the Great
Depression, he merely replied, “I don’t know. I was too busy playing cricket.” Indeed he was, and so focussed was he on the field that the only things that
mattered to him were runs on the board and victory for his team.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">(<i>Author
Indra Vikram Singh can be contacted on email <a href="mailto:singh_iv@hotmail.com">singh_iv@hotmail.com</a></i>).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFBeCzWVFalOSZRccH-UGelJgJ7qTet-EeuVhnHfGIdzBUifStCj2wvuKFQlA-FsZHEdUlyCiv3CqMtUff0KLh1ttOAxurpLxoRHWRIjXyhnWdYmvxEMVI-MKm1MtZjn13EVVyTYcs23qfm3RP6yYR5KrRMbUL1dYSvNsXQnUsX1Czw0EuPR-MyAp6A/s896/Don's%20Century%20cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="679" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFBeCzWVFalOSZRccH-UGelJgJ7qTet-EeuVhnHfGIdzBUifStCj2wvuKFQlA-FsZHEdUlyCiv3CqMtUff0KLh1ttOAxurpLxoRHWRIjXyhnWdYmvxEMVI-MKm1MtZjn13EVVyTYcs23qfm3RP6yYR5KrRMbUL1dYSvNsXQnUsX1Czw0EuPR-MyAp6A/w152-h200/Don's%20Century%20cover.jpg" width="152" /></a></b></div><b>Don’s
Century <o:p></o:p></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Published in India by Sporting
Links <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">ISBN 978-81-901668-5-0 <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Fully illustrated <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Paperback French Fold <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">11 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Weight 480 grams <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">188 pages </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">Available on Amazon at an attractive
price: <a href="https://www.amazon.in/dp/8190166859">https://www.amazon.in/dp/8190166859</a></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="text-align: left;">Indra Vikram Singh's other books available on
Amazon: </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.amazon.in/s?k=Indra+Vikram+Singh&i=stripbooks&rh=p_6%3AA3HSV0N9AV7NOK&dc&qid=1602408830&rnid=1318474031&ref=sr_nr_p_6_1" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: left;">https://www.amazon.in/s?k=Indra+Vikram+Singh&i=stripbooks&rh=p_6%3AA3HSV0N9AV7NOK&dc&qid=1602408830&rnid=1318474031&ref=sr_nr_p_6_1</a> </p>Indra Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800239858093978514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874360532152770138.post-83765172907624801212022-06-11T02:58:00.001-07:002022-06-11T03:08:52.709-07:00Don Bradman’s superb double century in the final Test clinched the Ashes 1930 series for Australia. Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh's book 'Don's Century'<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zBi_YjIPbfjK-glJFQtuzBjvfBnPlfIQlvvWO3ue6Em5uYLZA-5djRlSCMcwGsPwdmFNc85rfK6kEk6yCLalf0OW_soHbMVaC2eEal1z3pFjQQHRBJVgoTQukjA2R6e5mdbrJQEYq53zfdE8BDkMPKXXj-cQSxJsC__VUAH6rGi4DRgFK7kxt2wU6A/s3000/PA-638146%20-%20Bradman%20acknowledging%20cheers.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2637" data-original-width="3000" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0zBi_YjIPbfjK-glJFQtuzBjvfBnPlfIQlvvWO3ue6Em5uYLZA-5djRlSCMcwGsPwdmFNc85rfK6kEk6yCLalf0OW_soHbMVaC2eEal1z3pFjQQHRBJVgoTQukjA2R6e5mdbrJQEYq53zfdE8BDkMPKXXj-cQSxJsC__VUAH6rGi4DRgFK7kxt2wU6A/w400-h351/PA-638146%20-%20Bradman%20acknowledging%20cheers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Don <i>Bradman
acknowledging the cheers of the crowd on reaching his double century in the
final Test at The Oval in 1930. With the series tied 1-1, Bradman’s superb 232
turned this Test in Australia’s favour, a decisive role in regaining the Ashes</i></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">With the 1930
series tied 1-1 before the fifth Test at The Oval, it was a game without limit.
Bob Wyatt was England captain in place of Percy Chapman, who in the face of Don
Bradman’s onslaught was now viewed as prodigal, if not primeval. Sutcliffe
dropped anchor, scoring 161 and England logged up a total of 405 in this battle
of nerves.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The old firm
of Bill Woodfull and Bill Ponsford raised 159 upfront, and it was the latter
who was dismissed first after scoring a fine 110. Bradman joined the
stonewaller Woodfull, who left after tallying a patient 54 in
three-and-a-quarter hours. Bradman was unbeaten with 27 at stumps, with Alan Kippax
keeping him company.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Rain now
played a part, but Bradman was steadfast on the tricky wet track. Douglas
Jardine was a bystander in the series but he reckoned that he saw flaws in
Bradman’s game against fast bowling on the damp wicket. At the end of the
curtailed third day, Bradman was nevertheless still at the crease with 130 runs
to his name, with Archie Jackson by his side. The only wicket lost was that of
Kippax, and Australia were just two runs behind.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bradman
stroked his way to a double century and with Jackson put on 243 for the fourth
wicket before the talented youngster fell for 73. Stan McCabe helped Bradman add
another 64 runs. Australia were 165 ahead when Bradman finally edged Harold Larwood
into George Duckworth’s gloves. His 232 had come off 417 balls in 438 minutes,
aided by 16 boundaries.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It was a
match-winning knock played at a crucial juncture in testing conditions, and it
put Australia in the driver’s seat in their quest to reclaim the Ashes. If his
breathtaking 254 at Lord’s was instrumental in levelling the series, Bradman’s
dominant 232 at London’s other ground clinched it for Australia. McCabe, Alan Fairfax
and Bert Oldfield kept up the momentum, the lead mounting to 290. Ian Peebles
was rewarded for his 71 overs of toil with a haul of six for 204.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fairfax
bowled Jack Hobbs before stumps and England were pushed against the wall at 24
for one. Rain washed out the fifth day’s play. When the game resumed, England
could not forge any partnership of real significance. Percival Hornibrook
captured seven of the eight wickets that fell to bowlers on the final day. Wally
Hammond was last out for 60 as England folded up for 251. The significance
could not have been lost on anyone as the mantle of the best batsman in the
world passed on to the superstar from Down Under, Don Bradman.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It was a
momentous tour. Having played a pivotal role in winning the Ashes, Bradman
scored an unprecedented 974 runs in the series, still unequalled to this day,
at an average of 139.14. He got all these runs at 40 an hour without hitting a
six. Rarely did Bradman loft the ball. Some felt that this aggregate was the
equivalent of Sydney Barnes’ feat of 49 wickets in four Tests against South
Africa in 1913-14, but against better opposition. No other batsman from either
side got even half of Bradman’s tally, nor even more than one hundred.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mammoth
scores kept coming repeatedly from his willow like giant waves slapping the
shore – a century, two double centuries and a triple century. The double
hundreds decided the series. Without doubt the English would need to introspect
deeply. C.B. Fry, himself a man of many parts and incredibly talented, was
enchanted with Bradman’s display: “I wish I could have used my bat like Don. He
is a gem of a batsman. I just love his finished technique and inevitable
surety.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As much as
the runs that he scored, Bradman filled the counties’ coffers as never before.
Jon Stock related a tale, perhaps apocryphal, in <i>The Week</i>: “Don was the bane of every bowler’s life, but he was also
a commercial opportunity. Dai Davies, a Glamorgan player, recalls how he once
came close to bowling Bradman in 1930. He was flabbergasted when instead of
encouraging him, his captain Maurice Turnbull told Davies that his services
wouldn’t be required that day. ‘But I’ll get him out the next over,’ Davies
pleaded. ‘That’s what we don’t want,’ Turnbull replied. ‘Can’t you see, we’ve
got to keep him in for Monday (the August bank holiday)?’ Glamorgan made a
small profit at the end of that year thanks entirely to that game’s proceeds.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">By the final
Test, his ninth, Bradman had reached an average of 100, and had as many as six
three-figure knocks. His aggregate now stood at 1442 runs, the average 103. In
all first-class matches during that tour of 1930, Bradman hit up 2960 runs, the
most any visiting batsman has done, and notched up 10 hundreds. He topped the
averages among all batsmen during that season at 98.66, which he did on all his
tours to England.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If anybody
had lingering doubts about Bradman’s ability to cope with English conditions,
they had been dispelled in the most vehement manner possible. From now on
batting had only one don, perhaps forever. That <i>Wisden</i> selected Bradman as one of its cricketers of the year in its
1931 edition is only stating the obvious. A most telling comment came from the
great allrounder Wilfred Rhodes, a shrewd judge of the game, and not one to
shower praise lightly: “I bowled against all the best from 1900 to 1930 -
Hobbs, Trumper, Grace and Ranji among them and many, many more - but Bradman
was the greatest.” </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ian Peebles,
who bowled to Bradman during this series, wrote in the <i>World of Cricket</i>: “It was not until the series got underway that
the cricket world gradually realised that this young man Bradman had
inaugurated a new era and somewhat reinterpreted the old adage that ‘bowlers
win matches’. Never before had an individual batsman so consistently given
bowlers the opportunity of winning matches by the speed and extent of his
scoring.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Financially,
the tour brought Bradman a bonanza. In addition to the ₤ 600 paid by The Board
of Control for the six-month effort, which was easily double an average annual
wage at the time, and the reward of ₤ 1000 bestowed on him by Arthur Whitelaw,
was the contract for his first book <i>Don
Bradman’s Book of Cricket</i> and its serialisation in the press. Bradman’s
earnings came to a whopping ₤ 5000.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Don Bradman
was now a folk hero in Australia, and he began receiving several offers for
commercial endorsements. ‘Bradmania’ had besieged the minds of his countrymen.
Whenever word spread that Bradman was at Mick Simmons, huge crowds would
congregate outside. It was not long before a musical tribute was paid to him.
‘Our Don Bradman’ was an affectionate tune that became popular in the 1930s.
Described as a ‘snappy fox trot song’, it hailed ‘Australia’s batting
phenomenon’. Deft pianist that he was, Bradman himself composed a song ‘Every
Day is a Rainbow Day for Me’.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(<i>Author Indra Vikram Singh
can be contacted on email <a href="mailto:singh_iv@hotmail.com">singh_iv@hotmail.com</a></i>).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZIp_9vBiJrjAae__I523JPW0mMMQPfDbLZROqAG3mMbvWRNfEwRDq7Ha5Gta29QnDvEsVBQayDqmZ7z3fX2QJgr5juSH-1CT0nQLPbceA2XhIeT52kZli6PJ4Xgzb8QxZe3VK1HCwmDucnk8cD-1A_5Eg7Y7cA6K_1jjaauOXhFFeZzQPxr5g7smOg/s896/Don's%20Century%20cover.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="679" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZIp_9vBiJrjAae__I523JPW0mMMQPfDbLZROqAG3mMbvWRNfEwRDq7Ha5Gta29QnDvEsVBQayDqmZ7z3fX2QJgr5juSH-1CT0nQLPbceA2XhIeT52kZli6PJ4Xgzb8QxZe3VK1HCwmDucnk8cD-1A_5Eg7Y7cA6K_1jjaauOXhFFeZzQPxr5g7smOg/w152-h200/Don's%20Century%20cover.jpg" width="152" /></a></b></div><b>Don’s Century <o:p></o:p></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Published in India by Sporting Links <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ISBN 978-81-901668-5-0 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fully illustrated <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Paperback French Fold <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">11 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Weight 480 grams <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">188 pages </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Available on Amazon at an attractive price: <a href="https://www.amazon.in/dp/8190166859">https://www.amazon.in/dp/8190166859</a></span></p>
<p><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Indra Vikram Singh's
other books available on Amazon: </span><a href="https://www.amazon.in/s?k=Indra+Vikram+Singh&i=stripbooks&rh=p_6%3AA3HSV0N9AV7NOK&dc&qid=1602408830&rnid=1318474031&ref=sr_nr_p_6_1" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">https://www.amazon.in/s?k=Indra+Vikram+Singh&i=stripbooks&rh=p_6%3AA3HSV0N9AV7NOK&dc&qid=1602408830&rnid=1318474031&ref=sr_nr_p_6_1</a> </p>Indra Vikram Singhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800239858093978514noreply@blogger.com0