On 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’

 

What did your 1983 World Cup team have that the 1975 and 1979 Indian sides did not?

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.

No one except Kim Hughes gave your team even an outside chance to win the Cup. Were you surprised at your team’s performance?

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.

 

In retrospect, you did have a very good One-day side.

I agree we had a good team.

 

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.

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.

 

Was the wicket seaming a lot on that day?

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).

 

Did the pitch ease out as your innings progressed?

Yes, it improved and we were able to build up a good total.

 

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?

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.

 

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?

(Expresses surprise).

 

What were your thoughts on the morning of the final?

We felt we had nothing to lose.

 

Your total of 183 could not have inspired confidence.

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.

 

Was the ball still moving around when you bowled?

It seamed the whole day. I bowled four maidens, which would not have been possible if the ball was not seaming around.

 

Gordon Greenidge shouldered arms and was bowled. Sandhu said he thought he had bowled an out-swinger but the ball came in.

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.

 

At which stage did you think that you could win? Richards’ dismissal? Lloyd’s dismissal? Or later?

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.

 

Surely at 76 for six, you had the match in the bag.

What was important was that their top six batsmen – Greenidge, Haynes, Richards, Lloyd, Larry Gomes and Faoud Bacchus – were out.

 

Do you think the West Indies batsmen were complacent?

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.

 

The Big Book of World Cup Cricket

Published in India by Sporting Links

ISBN 978-81-901668-4-3

Fully illustrated

Hardcover with jacket 11.5 x 8.75 x 1 inches

544 pages

Available at an attractive price on Amazon https://www.amazon.in/dp/8190166840

Road to the Cricket World Cup 2023. Hall of Fame: Shakib Al Hasan

 World-class allrounder, Bangladesh’s finest

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 

ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BOWLING: Balls 1433, Maidens 2, Runs 1222, Wickets 34, Average 35.94, Best Bowling 5/29, Runs/Over 5.11

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.    

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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^th 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.

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.

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.

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The star allrounder 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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

(Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s forthcoming book ‘World Cup Odyssey’).

Road to the Cricket World Cup 2023. Hall of Fame: Abraham (A.B.) de Villiers

 Priceless asset for the Proteas

 

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

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

The Kiwis tripped the Proteas by five wickets, and astonishingly de Villiers bagged his fourth duck of the tournament. The pendulum was swinging wildly.

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.    

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.

 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.       

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.

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.

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.

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^th 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.

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.      

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.

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. 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.

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.

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^th to the 40^th 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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. 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.

In the quarter-final, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 133. South Africa cruised to a nine-wicket win.

In contrast, the semi-final was an edge-of-the-seat thriller, disrupted by the weather and going down to the penultimate delivery. The 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.

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.     

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.”

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.

(Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s forthcoming book ‘World Cup Odyssey’).

Road to the Cricket World Cup 2023. Hall of Fame: Lasith Malinga

Slinging in the lethal yorkers

Lasith Malinga. Only one to snare two hat-tricks, including four wickets in four deliveries, in the World Cup.

ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BOWLING: Balls 1394, Maidens 11, Runs 1281, Wickets 56, Average 22.87, Best Bowling 6/38, Runs/Over 5.51 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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^th 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.       

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^nd over, Chanderpaul sent it sailing over square-leg for his 5^th 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.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.     

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.

After this lean phase, he bowled the first over in the semi-final, and then returned only in the 22^nd 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.

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.

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.      

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.                

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.

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.

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.

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^th World Cup wicket, the quickest to do so.

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.

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.

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.

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.                      

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.

(Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s forthcoming book ‘World Cup Odyssey’).

Road to the Cricket World Cup 2023. Hall of Fame: Michael Clarke

Joyride in an Aussie see-saw

Michael Clarke led Australia back to the pinnacle in 2015.

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 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

Canada were bowled out for 211. Clarke was unbeaten with 16 as his side rung in an easy seven-wicket victory. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

Australia recorded the biggest win in the World Cup, trouncing Afghanistan by 275 runs. Clarke did not bat. 

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. 

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. 

Pakistan could put up just 213 in the quarter-final. Clarke was dismissed for 8, as the Aussies ran away victors by six wickets. 

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. 

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. 

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.” 

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. 

(Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s forthcoming book ‘World Cup Odyssey’).