2 3 4 World Cup 2003 TOP OF THE CHARTS

Syed Khalid Mahmood

Foreword by Mansoor Akhtar

Published by

Jumbo Publishing

5 Copyright © Syed Khalid Mahmood Cover Design: Athar Amjad

ISBN: 969-8893-01-6 1st Edition: 2006 Price in Pakistan: Rs. 500

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6 To my younger daughter Beenish whose innocence and grace inspire me, motivate me and keep me focussed

7 8 Foreword

Pakistan’s cricket team until a few year ago had quite clearly lacked in the critical areas of game plan and strategy, mental strength, fitness and making optimum use of their individual brilliance to the team’s cause.

The decline had perhaps begun as early as the 1999 World Cup final, and peaked during the 2003 World Cup tournament and it became more obvious in the aftermath of the twin series defeats against India at home in early 2004.

The services of Bob Woolmer as coach were acquired by the Pakistan Cricket Board in an effort to ensure that the team came up with improved performance and did justice with the loads of talent. The move has paid dividends.

Woolmer, recognized the world over as the best cricket coach of the recent times, has taken command of the situation and the performance of the team has been quite encouraging lately.

A team, having endured a lean patch for quite sometimes, could not have been expected to become the world-beaters overnight but they have been working in the right direction and the results are there.

There has been marked improvement in certain areas. Most importantly the fitness level of the boys has improved. They have become mentally tough now. The fielding has become much more athletic.

These factors have helped the team in winning matches on a more regular basis than in the past. If they continue improving, there is every possibility of the Pakistan team going the distance in the next World Cup.

Now let me go back to the subject of this book, the 2003 World Cup. Well it was a forgettable experience from Pakistan’s point of view. A lot was expected from the team but it choked in the games that mattered.

9 Pakistan, during the competition, could only record victories over Namibia and the Netherlands, the two unfancied sides who didn’t even enjoy the status of full membership of the ICC.

Pakistan, no doubt, had been placed in the tougher of two groups, but nobody expected them to falter against all Test playing nations in their group. The way things stood, Zimbabwe could have also prevailed over Pakistan had weather not intervened in their game at Harare.

Pakistan, after being defeated by Australia, England and India, faced the monumental task of crushing Zimbabwe by the heaviest of margins in their last league outing. Under the prevailing circumstances it was extremely unlikely that Pakistan would have achieved the objective even if the match against Zimbabwe was not ruined by rains.

The Pakistan team has already faced a lot of media criticism for not having delivered in the 2003 World Cup.

On the positive side, the team did learn its lessons. And with the change in guard, thing have been on the move. Now we are looking forward to the next World Cup and I am quite confident that our team will be much tougher and stronger in 2007 than what we had in 2003.

Pakistan had fallen short of expectations in 2003 but things have changed since then and one can look forward to more consistent performance in the times to come. Pakistan should do better in the Caribbean that would be the venue of the next World Cup.

We need to acknowledge the role of the writers, author and statisticians who devote their energies in producing publications of historical value. Knowing his calibre and having gone through his previous books, there is no doubt whatsoever in my mind that Syed Khalid Mahmood’s Top of the Charts will be another success story.

MANSOOR AKHTAR Former Test Cricketer

10 Contents

Foreword ...... 9 Sachin Tendulkar ...... 13 Sourav Ganguly...... 23 Andy Bichel...... 33 Ricky Ponting ...... 38 Damien Martyn ...... 46 Brett Lee...... 52 Chaminda Vaas ...... 60 Adam Gilchrist ...... 66 Glenn McGrath...... 72 Rahul Dravid ...... 78 Marvan Atapattu...... 84 Zaheer Khan...... 90 Khalid Mahmud...... 98 Herschelle Gibbs ...... 104 Wasim Akram...... 110 Vesbert Drakes ...... 118 John Davison...... 124 Andy Flower...... 132 Collins Obuya...... 138 Javagal Srinath...... 144 Jan Burger...... 150 Tim De Leede...... 156 Ashish Nehra...... 162 James Anderson ...... 170 Shane Bond ...... 177 The Author...... 186

11 12 Sachin Tendulkar

India’smaster blaster Sachin Tendulkar finally did justice to his talents in a World Cup. He had descended on the international scene as a 16- year old boy just a couple of years after the World Cup was staged in the Indo-Pak sub-continent for the first time in 1987.

Although his arrival in international cricket was not as spectacular as that of Sunil Gavaskar, who had amassed no less than 774 runs in his maiden Test series, but there were many signs from the outset that Tendulkar was destined to rewrite history books.

Having had the privilege of watching him make his Test debut from the media gallery of the National Stadium, Karachi, in November 1989, one could hardly believe the loads of talents this teenager from Bombay possessed. His confidence level was reflected by the perfect execution of his strokes during his brief stay at the crease in his first Test.

Tendulkar was tested by Pakistan’s formidable bowling attack during the entire series but he showed the courage and the character

13 14 beyond the capabilities of a teenager. Although he did not score so heavily, he had provided strong indications in his first-ever Test series that he’s going to hit headlines in future.

He went from strength to strength and enhanced his reputation after every series that he played. He was success story on his maiden tours to New Zealand, England and Australia.

He had already become a star when India started their campaign in the 1992 World Cup held Down Under. He did show flashes of brilliance in his first-ever World Cup, starring in the Victory over eventual champions and arch-rivals Pakistan. He was also named of Man of the Match against Zimbabwe.

He remained the second higher scorer for India in the tournament but his aggregate of 283 in eight outings was deemed below par performance from his own high standards.

Tendulkar had grown in stature when the World Cup returned to the sub-continent in 1996. He did deliver but he was needed to perform even better to guide India to the top of the ladder. He emerged the leading run-getter of the tournament, scoring as many as 523 runs at an astonishing average of

15 16 87.17 but India could not force their way into the final much to the disappointment of the many millions of their supporters.

Tendulkar did pile up runs in the 1996 World Cup but he could not finish thing off in two of the most important matches. One was the league encounter against Australia. It cost India the match but they made amends by defeating Pakistan in the quarter -finals. Tendulkar’s dismissal in the semi-final, however, turned out to be decisive and India was out of the tournament.

Captaincy and injuries did not help his cause after the 1996 World Cup but he regained his top from once he was relieved of the pressures he did not seem to enjoy. He was very much one of the star attractions when India reached England for the 1999 World Cup.

There were expectations from many quarters as India had won the World Cup when it was last staged in England in 1983. Tendulkar, who was a 10-year old kid when India had stunned everyone by lifting the trophy, was to play a key role if his team had to recapture the title 16 years later.

As during the last three editions of the World Cup, he did contribute his bit in 1999. Batting at number four, he scored a wonderful century against Kenya which boosted the morale of his team after defeats in the earlier two matches. India did make it to the Super Six but Tendulkar

17 18 was dismissed cheaply in the do or die fixture against Australia and it was all over for them.

Tendulkar continued to perform well despite being handicapped by injuries and another spell of captaincy. Like all his illustrious colleagues in the most powerful middle-order, he failed to get going on the tour of New Zealand which was India’s last outing before the 2003 World Cup.

After India’s dismal performance in New Zealand there was not much hope for them in the mega event which was taking place in Africa. To make thingseven more difficult for them, they were placed in the tougher of two groups. Their batting lineup was in disarray as there were debates as to who should open the innings.

The pair of Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly had done wonders for India for the last many years. But the failures of Ganguly, the long absences of Tendulkar and the emergence of Virender Sehwag resulted in deliberations in the India think-tank. It was indeed a tricky decision.

Tendulkar had made it clear that he was more comfortable opening the innings rather than batting down the order. Sehwag was in terrific form. Skipper Ganguly a left-handed batsman, was not scoring consistently.

19 India had to make a decision whether to stick with a right-left combination or pick the two right-handers.

In the end better sense prevailed and it was finally agreed to let the two right-handers do the job. It was a decision which helped India come out of their shell. It was one wise move which created the opportunity for the best batsman of the world to demonstrate his class. He was allowed the freedom of planning his innings for full 50 overs instead of having to wait in the dressing room for things to fall in place.

Reinstated as the opener, Tendulkar was the only shining light in an otherwise another dismal batting show by the Indian against Netherlands, the softest opponents in their first game. Tendulkar scored 52 off 72 balls as India were bowled out for 204. The inexperienced Dutch batsman could not negotiable the Indian attack otherwise an upset could have been caused.

Tendulkar was in fine touch against Australia too but the Indians fell away after his departure for 36 to be skittled out for 125. The Aussies raced to the target in just 22.2 overs.

After the unimpressive performance in the first couple of matches Team India was being written off. Their third match was against Zimbabwe,

20 always a force to reckon within their own backyard. Once again it was Tendulkar who laid the foundation for an Indian victory with his superb knock of 81 off 91 balls.

Tendulkar did not waste the opportunity of helping himself to some easy runs against debutant Namibia. His 152 off 151 ensured a mammoth triumph for his team. He scored a fine 50 off 52 balls against England which helped India post a fighting total which they were able to defend successfully due to Ashish Nehra’s record-breaking feat later in the evening.

He turned out to be the difference when India clashed with arch-rivals Pakistan. The target of 274 was a tall order but Tendulkar’s 98 off 75 balls settled the issue. He was in a positive frame of mind from the outset and he dominated the star-studded Pakistan bowling line-up. He was denied a well deserved hundred but he was the obvious choice for Man of the Match.

Tendulkar was dismissed in single digit for the first time in the tournament against Kenya in India’s first Super Six game. He made amends by scoring a brilliant 97 off 120 balls against Sri Lanka in the next outing. He could not break the jinx of failing against New Zealand, however.

Another fantastic innings from Tendulkar in the semifinal against Kenya allowed India the passage into the final without further hiccups. He scored 83 off 101 balls. It was third time in in the last five games when he missed a hundred which always seemed in his grasp. He had to throw away his wicket in the final in the pursuit of a near impossible target of 360.

Well Tendulkar was the man who was most likely to turn around things for them.He did exactly that in the 2003 World Cup. Had the Indian bowlers been a bit disciplined in the final and India were to chase a target in the region of 300, Tendulkar could have guided them home. India would have come closer to the mammoth Australian total of 359 if Tendulkar had not been dismissed in the very first over of the innings.

21 Australia lifted the trophy but the Man of the Tournament award went to the 29-year old Indian maestro called Sachin Tendulkar. In fact, he was voted as the Player of the World Cup 2003. It was a thoroughly deserved award for Tendulkar, arguably the greatest batsman of his generation.

Tendulkar had entered the final with an unassailable lead. A voting system was devised for this particular tournament in which the match referees for all the games had awarded three points to the best player, two for the second best player and one for the third best player. He secured 14 points which was four more than his own captain Sourav Ganguly and five more than Chaminda Vaas of Sri Lanka.

Tendulkar scored no less than 673 runs at an average of 61.18. His was the highest aggregate in the tournament by a distance. He had been declared Man of the Match three times before claiming the Player of the Tournament award. He was presented the gold trophy worth 500,000 Rands (US$ 62,500) by Sir Garfield Sobers, acclaimed as the greatest- ever all-rounder in a ceremony held at the Wanderers in Johannesburg soon after the conclusion of the final.

Tendulkar finally ran away with the one award, which had eluded him in the past three editions of the World Cup. Ideally he would have wanted his team to return home with trophy in their baggage but that was not to be.

Who knows Tendulkar may lead India to World Cup victory in 2007. He will be nearing his 34th Birthday when the 9th World Cup takes place and there would be every possibility of him of doing it in the West Indies.

Remember it had taken the legendary Imran Khan nearly 21 years after making his Test debut to fulfill his ambition of winning the World Cup. He was playing his fifth World Cup when he had the honour of leading Pakistan to the title triumph in Australia in 1992. Imran had done it in his last available opportunity whereas Tendulkar may still play another few editions of the World Cup even after 2007.

22 Sourav Ganguly

India have produced numerous world class batsmen, bowlers, fielders, wicketkeepers and all-rounders but the same could not said when it comes to the department of captaincy.

Captaining the Indian side has been a momentous task and very few have lived up to the expectations for the expectations have been very high indeed at times. The Indian captains have often been overburdened that did naturally affect their performance.

One man who has braved all the challenges and has proved himself the most inspirational leader in none other than Sourav Ganguly, who has been at the helm of the affairs since 2000. No praise could be too high for him because he has handled the pressures so well.

Call him the Prince of Kolkata or The tiger of Bengal, he has done justices. He proved himself as the best captain of the World Cup 2003

23 24 where he led by example to take his team to the final after a horrible start to the competition.

Ganguly has had to withstand all kind of pressures. His capacity to deliver against all odds helped him silence his critics. Unfortunately he has not been awarded the credit that he has deserved for transforming India into a well-knit side.

The pressure was certainly more on Ganguly than any other member of the Indian side when they landed in South Africa to try to reclaim the trophy they had clinched was back in 1983. The disastrous tour of New Zealand on the eve of the World Cup must have been at the back of their minds and the confidence level of the whole team appeared critically low.

To make matters worse for the captain, he himself was undergoing a lean patch. One of most dashing and daring characters of the game was encountering problems in negotiating the short balls aimed at his body. Even the mediocre medium pacers were pitching the ball short in order to unsettle Ganguly but the Indian skipper brought all his experience into play to handle the pressure cooker situation.

India, on paper, were definitely one of the most formidable teams to have taken field in the World Cup 2003 but there were apprehensions about their capabilities to deliver in South Africa, where they had not performed all that creditably in the past.

And much to the disappointment of their supporters, the Indians were off to be a horrible

25 26 starts in the tournament. Their first couple of outings suggested clearly that they were short of confidence and needed to lift their game a long way if they were to move in the next round.

Ganguly himself struggled against Holland in the opening game, scoring just eight off 32 balls. That was quite uncharacteristic of the Indian captain who’s known and feared for taking the attack to the bowlers in first 15 overs.

All India could manage was a paltry 204 against the inexperienced Dutch side. Ganguly kept his cool and encouraged his front line bowlers to come off in order to avoid an embarrassment for the team right at the start of the competition.

India managed to wrap up the match against Holland but the extension of their poor form in the following game against Australia saw them devastated. Ganguly was once again found wanting while opening the batting. He could score only nine off 21 balls, which was not the kind of stuff his team needed while tackling the defending champions.

The Indians were in shambles after their first couple of games. The captain was struggling to get runs. With the sole exception of Sachin Tendulkar, all the batsmen were short of runs. Batting was India’s forte and it was failing again and again.

The Indian fans had their hearts broken in all corners of the world. They sensed India’s early exit from the competition. The Indian team was being jeered by their supporters in South Africa while there were protests back home. The houses of their stars were being attacked and police had to be deployed to avoid possible mishaps.

27 28 It was a very critical point in India’s cricket. Do or die situation in the truest sense of the word. To motivate the team in such situations is never a straightforward task. It needed a leader of the highest caliber to convince his teammates to come out of their shells. There was not much time at his disposal either as the next game was only four days after the debacle against the mighty Aussies.

Sir Winston Churchill had once said: “Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It’s the courage to continue that counts.” This is exactly the kind of message Sourav Ganguly would have passed on to his teammates when they arrived Harare to take on Zimbabwe.

Ganguly, like a shrewd leader, incorporated changes which did yield the desired results. It was a wonderful decision in the interest of the team to have demoted himself in the batting order. Since he was not timing the ball properly, he made the wise move of letting Virender Sehwag open the batting with grand master Sachin Tendulkar.

The move paid immediate dividends as Sehwag and Tendulkar rattled up an opening partnership of 99 in just 16.3 over against Zimbabwe. It was the partnership, which brought India back into the tournament from the brink of disaster. The brisk opening stand allowed the luxury of playing himself in to Ganguly, who came in at number four. He made 24 off 36 balls, as Indian’s eventual of 250 proved too much for the hosts on a slowish track.

Like a truly leader, Ganguly delivered when needed most. He took three middle order wickets with his medium pace to break the back of Zimbabwe batting. The 83-run victory immensely helped India regain some of the lost pride.

29 Ganguly persisted with the Sehwag- Tendulkar opening combination in the game against Namibia, which presented India another chance of running into top gear. Tendulkar continued his magical form but most importantly from their point of view it was skipper Ganguly who made most of the opportunity. The elegant left-hander, during the course of his unbeaten 112 off 119 balls recaptured the form which had eluded him for quite some time.

He blasted four sixes and six fours in his magnificent innings adding 244 runs off as many balls for the second wicket with Tendulkar. He had made the right decision of coming in at three, instead of Dinesh Mongia whom he had tried at this number in the previous game.

Ganguly contributed 19 off 38 balls against England but he led the side admirably while defending the total of 250. While Ashish Nehra stole the limelight with his brilliant bowling, it was certainly Ganguly’s inspired leadership which kept England on the back foot even while chasing a not too formidable total. The 82-run victory over England had lifted the Indian tally of points of 16 which put them on course of a place in the next phase of the tournament.

India’s last league encounter in the first round was against arch-rivals Pakistan. It was going to be the first meeting between the two nations in almost three years. In the context of the tournament, the match was vital to both the teams.

Ganguly controlled the situation well, making timely bowling changes to restrict the rate of scoring. It was only at the fag end of the Pakistan innings when the agricultural shots appeared to have upset Ganguly’s plans. The slogging in the final few overs took the Pakistan total to 273, which was their highest in the tournament.

30 The Indian tactics of counter-attacking the celebrated Pakistan speedsters from the outset worked wonders for them. Although Ganguly didn’t trouble the scorers but his team triumphed in styled and cruised in to the Super Six, much to the delight of their supporters.

Ganguly made up for his failures in the first round with tall scores in the later and more crucial part of the tournament. He scored the match winning century against Kenya when India had their back to the wall while chasing the modest 226. The skipper remained undefeated on 107 off 120 balls to let his team win the opening Super Six tie with a degree of comfort in the end.

Ganguly made a fluent 48 of 53 balls against Sri Lanka in the next game, which India won by 183 runs. He perished cheaply in the match against New Zealand but India had little problems in overhauling the meagre target of 148.

The Kenyans were at the receiving end at the hands of Ganguly yet again when the two sides clashed in the semifinals. The supremely confident Indian captain scores an unbeaten 111 off 114 balls which laid the foundations for another comprehensive win for his team.

So the Indians were in the final to take on Australia, the only unbeaten side in the tournament. The final was being contested between the two best sides of the competition and a close encounter was anticipated at The Wanderers in Johannesburg.

A lot has been said about Ganguly’s decision to put Australia into bat after winning the toss. I incline to disagree with those ‘experts’ who have been critical of the decision. Under the circumstances, it was the right move. That it could not bring about the desired result is another matter.

Had Ganguly chosen to bat first, the Australian quickies could have blasted the Indian top-order in the first few overs on the lively strip. Since India relied more on their batsmen, it did make sense to let them do the job in less demanding conditions.

31 As it turned out there was plenty of life in the wicket when the Australians started their innings. To the horror of the Indian captain, his trio of fast bowlers, who had been so consistent with their line and length in the earlier matches, were all over the placs in the final. Things went from bad to worse from the Indian perspective as the match progressed.

Ganguly tried almost every option that he had up his sleeves. He rotated his front line bowlers, used the non regular bowlers and changed fields but it was not his day. Everything appeared going against him.

So many times the duo of Ricky Ponting and Damien Marytn mistimed their aerial shorts but each time the ball landed in empty spaces. India had run out of luck in the final which they lost by 125 runs.

But Ganguly had every reason to feel satisfied by his own performance and that of his team during the tournament. Australia, the deserved winners, were the only team to have defeated India during the competition. The Indians registered no less than nine wins in their 11 outings which was quite an achievement itself.

“There was dampness in the pitch and I knew there was something in it for seam bowlers when I had decided to bowl first in the final. We had one off day which shattered our dreams of winnings the World Cup,” the Indian skipper had very rightly pointed out.

Ganguly, who was being pressurized from all quarters, came very close to being voted as the Player of the World Cup 2003. If there had been separate points for captaincy, Ganguly could have easily won the coveted award, which was clinched by his illustrious teammate, Sachin Tendulkar.

Ganguly was the second highest scorer in the tournament, having aggregated 465 at an average of 58.12. Needless to say, the only one ahead of him was Sachin Tendulkar, with a massive tally of 673.

32 Andy Bichel

There was no element of surprise in Australia’s resounding success in the World Cup 2003. Without any shadow of doubt the Aussies were the team of the tournament and by remaining undefeated, the defending champions proved the point that they thoroughly deserved their number one ranking in the world.

But the person who contributed most to their success was hardly expected to do the job. The fast medium bowler who could also bat a bit might not have even played a single game in the whole tournament if there were no injury problems in his team. But quite remarkably it was Andy Bichel who turned out to be Australia’s hero when they had seemed at the brink of defeat more than once during the mega event.

Nobody would have ever expected Bichel of all people to top the bowling averages

33 in the World Cup 2003. In eight matches that he played he bowled 57 overs, seven of which were maidens, gave away only 197 runs and captured as many as 16 wickets at an astonishing average of 12.31.

He topped the bowling averages and was joint seventh highest wicket taker in the tournament, alongwithVasbert Drakes and JavagalSrinath. He was among the most economical bowlers as well, conceding just 3.45 runs per over. He could have finished with even more impressive figures, had he not been blasted for 57 runs in 10 overs by the Indians in the final.

34 More amazingly, Bichel also starred with the bat. He scored 117 runs and was dismissed just once which gave him an astronomical average of 117. Remember these were all priceless runs. They were not scored in easy batting conditions. All his runs in three outings came under pressure. It was hard to believe how this lad coped up with the situation so admirably.

Bichel was not considered for Australia’s opening game against Pakistan as Ricky Ponting chose to stick to the trusted pace trio of Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee with all-rounder Brad Hogg, Ian Harvey and Andrew Symonds in the supporting role.

Bichel was also omitted from the line-up which thrashed India at Super Sport Park, Centurion. He got an opportunity to make his World Cup debut when speedster Brett Lee was rested for the less important game against the Netherlands at North West Cricket Stadium Potchefstroom. Coming in as the fifth bowler he bowled nicely to grab three cheap wickets in five overs.

As Lee returned for the following game against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, Bichel was made to sit out again. The tried and trusted Australian bowlers did the job again and there was hardly any hope for Bichel to force his way back into the playing eleven.

35 He, however, was given another chance again when Jason Gillespie was rested while taking on another lowly rated opponent, Namibia. In the only over the he bowled his record-breaking match at North West Cricket Stadium, Potchefstroom, he picked up a couple of wickets without conceding a run.

So his only over which concluded the one-sided fixture was a double wicket maiden. Namibia were routed for 45 and Australia won the match by 256 runs, which happened to be the largest-ever winning margin in One-day Internationals. So five wins out of five meant Australia were through to the Super Six without being tested.

Although their final league match against England at St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth, was of academic interest for Australia, Bichel would not have played if Gillespie had not been ruled out because of a heel injury.

Gillespie’s injury turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Australia as Bichel produced an extraordinary all-round performance to overcome arch- rivals England who desperately needed to win to stay afloat in the competition. First he destroyed the England batting with incredible figures of seven for 20 off 10 overs.

England had recovered to score 204 in 50 overs and then by routing Australia’s top-order they had become favorites to run away with the game. The Aussies had slumped to 135 for eight in the 38th over and although one-day specialist Michael Bevan was still there, he was running out of partners.

36 England were in total control when Bichel join Bevan. Against all odds the pair took Australia past the England total with just a couple of deliveries remaining. Bichel remain undefeated on 34 off 36 balls on what as indeed his greatest day in the game yet.

Bichel, who had been 12th Man in as many as 16 One day Internationals, had come of age. He had made his presence felt in the limited opportunities that came has way in the league matches and he was considered a certainty for the remaining part of the tournament.

He did not produce any scintillating stuff against Sri Lanka whom Australia met in their first Super Six Clash at Super Sport Park, Centurion. But his teammates did enough to record another emphatic win.

New Zealand’s spearhead Shane Bond rattled the Australian top-order at St. George’s Park, Port Elizabeth. His devastating spell had the Aussies reeling at 84 for seven. Coming in at number nine,Bichel once again delivered. He made 64 priceless runs which raised the Australian total in the excess of 200. He also captured a wicket in his five economical overs as the Kiwis were skittled for 122.

Bickel took two wickets in the last Super Six game against Kenya at Kingsmead, Durban as Australia won by five wickets despite Asif Karim’s heroics.

Bichel went wicket less in the semifinal tie against Sri Lanka at St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth, but gave away only 18 runs in his quota of 10 overs. Earlier with the bat he had scored an unbeaten 19 off 21 balls which was a meaningful contribution in a low-scoring game which Australia won quite comfortably in the end.

He was not required to bat in the final which had become a one-sided affair after the historic partnership between Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn. He did concede quite a few runs by his standards but his team was well and truly in control and completed a monumental win.

37 Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting with his magnificent unbeaten knock of 140 off 121 balls, helped Australia create World Cup history. The Australian captain hammered as many as eight sixes and four fours in his 140 not out, enabling his team post a record total of 359 for two in their allotted 50 overs in the final against India.

38 39 The Indians responded positively but the task of scoring 360 against the strongest bowling attack of the world backed by the best fielding side proved beyond the reach of the second best team in the competition. The Aussies bowled India out in the 40th over to complete a comprehensive 125-run victory.

Australia became the first team to win the World Cup for the third time. Earlier they had lifted the coveted trophy in 1987 and 1999.

Ponting’s 140 at The Wanderers was the highest scorer in a World Cup final surpassing the 138 not out Viv Richards scored for the West Indies against England in 1979 at Lord’s.

Ponting’s onslaught in the last 10 overs, in which as many as 109 runs came allowed Australia to register the highest-ever score in a World Cup final. Earlier the record was in possession of the West Indians who had amassed 291 for eight off 60 overs against Australia in 1975 at Lord’. It was also Australia highest score in the history on One Day Internationals.

There was indeed some juice in the wicket for the bowlers in the first few overs but there was not much to worry for the batsmen once they had their eyes set. As the Indian quickies bowled all over the place, the Australians raced to flying start. Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who had mesmerized the Aussies a couple of years ago, halted their progress by picking up a couple of wickets but he could not keep Pointing quiet for a long time.

The Australian captain, in the company of Damien Martyn, constructed

40 41 the innings in a judicious manner. Ponting struck just one four in his 50 off 74 balls but he changed gear soon afterwards.He heaved Harbhajan of all people for consecutive sixes and then nobody was spared.

He dominated the unbroken 234-run third wicket stand with Martyn which carried the Australian score to mammoth proportions. Ponting was declared Man of the Match for his outstanding innings.

The star-studded Australian side could not have asked for a better performance from their captain in the final which helped them decimate their nearest rivals, India. With his unbeaten 140, he took his tally of runs in the tournament to 415 at an average of 51.87.

Ponting’s aggregate was the third highest in the competition. Only the Indian duo Sachin Tendulkar and SouravGanguly accumulated more runs than Australia’s most exciting right-handed batsman of the recent times.

By winning the World Cup and starring in its triumph, Ponting proved the point that he was the right choice to lead the side packed with mega stars. Not surprisingly, Ponting has succeeded Steve Waugh as Australia’s Test captain, after having led his team to many famous one-day conquests.

Australia had picked their World Cup 2003 squad without the Waugh brothers. They had far too many outstanding youngsters and their selectors deemed it proper to bank on the promise of youth instead of persisting with the old guard.

But Australia was jolted on the eve of the tournament when their legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne was suspended for 12 months and was sent home after failing a drug test. Ricky Ponting deserves credit

42 43 for having handled the situation well. His team showed true grit in the tense moments. Ponting started the World Cup with a fluent half-century but it needed a whirlwind knock from Andrew Symonds to overcome the shaky start against Pakistan. The Australian skipper made an unbeaten 24 off as many balls against India during the course of a comfortable nine-wicket victory in the next game.

He made a sedate 38 against Zimbabwe as his team triumphed leisurely once more. He was not needed to bat in the match against Holland which was curtailed by rains.

He made only two in the game against Namibia when too many new records were set. After scoring 301, Australia bowled Namibia out for 45 to win by 256 runs. It was the largest-ever winning margin in a One day International.

Ponting failed again with the bat while taking on traditional rivals England. The Australian skipper was aiming for a big innings but Andrew Caddick dismissed him for 16. As the Wickets continued to tumble, Australia sensed their first defeat in the competition.

Micheal Bevan lived up to the expectations when the chips were down. The unlikely support came from Andy Bichel who had earlier tormented England with the ball. The partnership between Bevan and Bichel saved Ponting from his maiden World Cup defeat.

After having endured a lean run from his own high standards in the first round, the skipper came into element from the start of the Super Six stage. He scored a brilliant 114 of 109 balls to lead Australia to comfortable with over Sri Lanka.

Ponting and Australia were given to torrid time by the Black Caps whose spearhead Shane Bond came up with stunning performance. As the wickets were falling at regular intervals the New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming let Bond bowl out his quota of overs. Bond did capture six cheap wickets but the Australians recovered once he was out of the equation.

44 It was another match which showed the depth of the Australian team. It was for the second time in three games that they had been pushed to the wall. But on both occasions they had fought back gallantly and turned the tables.

Winning the match after being 84 for seven was something only Ponting’s men would have thought of it. They recovered to reach 208 and then bowled out the Black Caps for 112 to win by handsome margin of 96 runs.

The Australian were also given torrid time, albeit briefly by Kenya, the surprise package of the tournament. As the veteran left-arm spinner Asif Karim turned the ball a fair distance the Aussies were in a spot of bother. Even Ponting was foxed by the wily spinner.

Fortunately for Australia, the target they were chasing against Kenya was only 175 and Adam Gilchrist had done enough damage in the first 10 overs. Even the magical spell from the left-arm spinner could not prevent the Aussies from running away with the game.

Australia had to fight for runs in the semifinal clash against Sri Lanka. Skipper Ponting perished early and the pressure was on the Aussies once more. But of all people it was Andrew Symonds again who came to their rescue.

Australia could manage only 212 runs in their 50 overs but Ponting knew that it was going to be adequate with the kind of bowling arsenal he possessed. Rain intervened but it could not stop the Australians from losing the control of the situation.

Ponting certainly had a potent bowling attack but he also used them intelligently. The Sri Lankan batting was quite deep but the Australians were not bothered. They kept bowling according to their plans and accomplished their goal. So Australia got through to the final with an unblemished record. They had come perilously close to defeats but they never let that happen. Ponting’s superlative knock ensured that Australia did not have to sweat in the final.

45 Damien Martyn

In the star-studded Australian side, Damien Martyn has been one of the unsung heroes. He has delivered more often than not whenever he has had the opportunity of going out in the middle and playing his part.

Basically and attacking batsman, Martyn has come to the Australian rescue on a number of occasions. But at times his performances have been overshadowed by the more enterprising and dashing characters present in their batting line-up.

The openers Adam Gilchrist and Mathew Hayden explode from the outset. Then skipper Ricky Ponting steps into the middle and tears apart the bowling. After the breezy start, the Australians look forward to Martyn to consolidate their innings. Once he does his job, the likes of Andrew Symonds and Michel Bevan finish the innings with a flurry of big shots. So Martyn’s contribution gets overlooked at times.

Like all his teammates, he has worked had extremely to get into the Australian side, packed with high quality stuff. He was a product of the famed Australian Cricket Academy.He also had the distinction of captaining Australia Under-19 teams.

46 47 He had made his presence felt on the scene early with his ability to score freely. He has had the capacity of milking the bowling. The selectors were impressed by the promise shown by this aggressive middle-order batsman and he had broken into the Australian team at the age of 21.

After having been a part of the national team for almost a year, he lost his place and had to work harder than before to regain it. After enduring a four-year break from international cricket, Martyn was finally recalled in 1998.

48 He has performed consistently afterwards at the top levels to become a regular member of the Australian team. He was a part of the team that won the World Cup in 1999 and he was very much there in the World Cup squad which retained the titled four year later. So Martyn has been a good omen for Australia.

He had the second best batting average in the World Cup 2003. He amassed 323 runs in 10 matches at an average of 64.60. Only Herschelle Gibbs of South Africa averaged higher than him. Martyn’s strike rate of 81.77 was quite fantastic too.

Martyn, however, had started the tournament in a forgettable manner. He was bowled first ball by Pakistan’s demon speedster, WasimAkram. Matthew Hayden had been castled the ball before and Martyn suffered similar fate to put WasimAkram on a hat trick. The gloom for the Australians was lifted by Andrew Symonds who went on to play the innings of his lifetime.

Martyn remain padded up in the next game but his chance to help himself to a few runs in the middle did not materialize because India’s meagre total of 125 was surpassed with the loss of only Gilchrist’s wicket.

He finally got a chance to bat and get a few runs in the third game of the tournament, against Zimbabwe. As the Australian top three perished in the quest for quick runs it was left to Damien Martyn and Darren Lehmann to deliver the goods. Both of them registered unbeaten half

49 centuries to complete the victory in style.

The Australians had to cope with an unusual situation against Holland. With the weather intervening and the D/L method into play the Aussies played out the last six or seven over quietly in order to have sufficient time to bowl out Holland to collect the maximum points from the game.

Martyn did the job for the Australians. In the company of Lehmann, he rotated the strike with short singles in the final overs instead of going for the boundary. The tactics paid off and the mission was accomplished. The unbeaten 67 off 78 balls earned the Man of the Match award for Martyn.

Lehmann and Martyn were at it again in the final over against Namibia. While Hayden and Symonds had done the damage in the earlier part of the innings, it was left to Martyn to keep the momentum going.

He responded with a solid 35. And then Lehmann got into the act, collecting record 28 runs in the last over of Australia’s innings.

50 Martyn perished without scoring against England but he made a valuable half-century in the Super Six tie against Sri Lanka. He was the lone man to offer resistance when New Zealand’s Shane Bond shattered Australian innings. Martyn was also undone by Bond but not before scoring 31.

He was not required to bat in the encounter against Kenya while he missed the semifinal fixture against Sri Lanka and then come the big innings in the final.

He scored an unbeaten 88 off 84 balls adding 234 for the unbroken third wicket with skipper Ricky Ponting. Under normal circumstances, Martyn’s innings would have been considered the gem of a knock. But his incredible effort was completely overshadowed by the flurry of strokes unleashed by Ponting in the final phase of the innings.

The final is remembered as Ponting’s match. Yes he did make a terrific 140 not out off 121 balls. But it could have been a different story to relate if Martyn had not kept his company till the very end.

By playing calmly it was Martyn, who created the opportunity for Ponting to tear apart the bowling. It went to Ponting’s credit that he made most of the opportunity and blasted the Indian bowlers.

Martyn had come into bat in the 20th over. The Australians had got off to a cracking start. But the Indians had pulled it back by dismissing both the openers.

They needed someone with a cool head to keep the score moving without taking risks. Ponting, a dasher, was always going to play his shots. Ponting and Martyn complemented each other perfectly and the partnership took the match away from India.

So due credit must also be given to Martyn for his role in Australia’s victory in the final. He deserves more than just a mention of being one of the architects of the famous win.

51 Brett Lee

The Australian have been ruling the world of cricket for the last many years primarily because of their strength in the fast bowling department just as the West Indians had taken the world by storm by unleashing four genuine quick bowlers in their playing elevens in the 1980s, the Aussies have been dominating the scene with the penetrative abilities of their speedsters.

52 53 Australia also have had a great leg-spin bowler in Shane Warne to complement their energetic fast bowlers while the West Indians had lacked variety even in those years when they were the most potent side in the world.

Australia have been producing a battery of quality fast bowlers over the years. While Glenn McGrath has spearheaded the attack with great wisdom, it have been promising and exciting youngsters like Brett Lee who provided greater strength to their team.

Lee has been regarded as one the quickest bowler in the world from the moment he had made his first-class debut in 1995. He sustained stress fractures to his back and was kept out of the game for several months before he got into the act again in late 1998.

He made a sensational entry into Test cricket in home series against India in 1999-2000. He had an elbow surgery in February 2001, which did limit his effectiveness at the international level for quite some time.

But like many of the great bowlers before him he fought his way back and regained his status of being one of the world’s most exciting pace bowlers. He was certainly one of the architects of Australia’s monumental success in the World Cup 2003.

A most thrilling player to watch, he turned out to be a crowd puller in the mega event. The knowledgeable South African crowds used to be right behind him when he approached the bowling crease at a bristling gallop from a long run-up.

54 More often than not he released the ball at thundering pace from a nicely balanced side-on action. He was a delight to watch as far as the spectators were concerned but he was the most difficult proposition to handle for the batsmen. He generated tremendous pace on the South African wickets and he clocked more than 150 kilometers per hour on a regular basis. He also earned the distinction of having clocked better than 160 kilometer/hour during the World Cup 2003.While Pakistan’s fiery speedster Shoaib Akhtar was guilty of compromising on line and length in an attempt to be recognized as the fastest bowler in the world, Lee deserved credit for having bowled so beautifully with his terrific pace.

Having played professional cricket for quite some time, Lee knew that speed alone will not earn him wickets or let him block the rate of scoring until he controlled his line and length. This was something Shoaib seemed to have ignored and he had to pay the price.

Playing his first World Cup, Lee grabbed no less than 22

55 56 wickets at an average of 17.94. Only Chaminda Vaas of Sri Lanka had higher number of wickets than him. He could have become the highest wicket taker in the tournament, had he taken two or more wickets in the final.

Bowling first change, Lee had the ordinary figures of one for 37 off seven overs in the opening game against Pakistan but he was charged up when given the new ball in the following game against India.

He bowled exceptionally well to unsettle the Indian stroke-makers. He accounted for the dashing duo of Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag, both of whom were caught behind while slashing outside off stump, in his opening spell.

Later he removed another dangerous left-hander, Dinesh Mongia to finish with the figures of three for 36 off nine overs. He had initiated the Indian collapse and they were not allowed to recover.

Lee took just one wicket in the game against Zimbabwe on the docile track of the Harare Sports Club. He was rested for the match against Holland but returned to action in the tie against Namibia with his new ball partner Glenn McGrath causing all the damage. He could just one wicket when the Namibians crashed to 45 all out.

As Andy Bichel stole the show in the fixture against traditional rivals, England, Lee had to take the stick in the final overs. Eager to take a wicket every ball, he gave just too many runs in what eventually turned out to be a low-scoring match.

Although Lee bowled quite nicely but he did not get the

57 due rewards in the first round matches. He lifted his game further as the tougher matches started. He got three key wickets in the opening Super Six tie against Sri Lanka.

It was the match against New Zealand which saw Lee hurl thunderbolts at alarming pace. If Shane Bond had devastated the Aussiesearlier in the day, it was the mercurial Lee who bowled his team to victory with a sensational five-wicket haul.

Lee performed a rare hat-trick in the game against Kenya. He removed Kennedy Otieno Brijal Patel and David Obuya on successive deliveries to destruct the African side’s top order. The blistering pace did the trick and Kenya never really recovered after the deadly spell from Lee.

The tall Australian bowled superbly yet again in the semifinal against Sri Lanka, dismissing three of the top four batsmen in his inspired opening spell. His team desperately needed that kind of stuff from him while defending a modest total.

With the Australian speedster Lee in full cry and the Indian Grand Master Sachin Tendulkar in supreme touch the final between Australia and India was being billed as duel between the two.

Unfortunately, from the cricket followers’ point of view, Tendulkar did not last long enough to even to face a single delivery from Lee. It was McGrarth who succeeded in dismissing Tendulkar in the very first over of the Indian innings. Therefore, the much awaited contest between Lee and Tendulkar could not take place in the final.

Lee took two wickets in the final but he had needed a minimum of four in the game to become the highest wicket-taker in his first-ever World Cup. He missed the honour narrowly but he had every reason to feel satisfied having played his role admirably in the success of his star- studded team.

58 59 Chaminda Vaas

Sri Lanka have revolutionized the instant version of the game. One-day Internationals had been played since the early 1970s but it was not until the mid 1990s when the first 15 overs of an innings assumed so much of significance. It went to the credit of the Sri Lankans to have devised the strategy of launching an attack from the outset instead of playing themselves in and waiting for the final 10 or 15 over to go after the bowling.

The innovative tactics of the Sri Lankans had brought instant results and after having failed to make any impression in the earlier five editions of the tournament, they won the World Cup in 1996. Then the entire world realized that their tactics were worth emulating.

Since then nearly every team has gone for big shots from the word go but he Sri Lankans, the pioneers, have benefited most from it because they possessed quite a few outstanding batsmen having the desired capabilities. The performance of Sri Lanka in One-day Internationals after the World Cup 1996 has been terrific.

60 61 They have not delivered at times but overall they have been regarded as one of the fancied team who could crush any opposition. The batting powerhouse is supplemented by the magical off-spin of MutiahMuralitharan and the brilliant left-arm fast bowler Chaminda Vaas.

Muralitharan and Vaas have starred in many Sri Lankan victories over the years. While Muralitharan has been more successful in the Test matches,Vaas has been their chief weapon in one-dayers particularly in the alien conditions.

Sri Lankan’s hopes in the World Cup 2003 also depended apart from their batting on the brilliance of Vaas. He was the man they looked forward to on the South African wickets where pitches were not going to assist Muralitharan.

Vaas delivered and Sri Lanka were able to make it to the semifinals of the tournament. He turned out to be the highest wicket taker of the competition. He captured as many as 23 wickets at an average of 14.39. His economy rate of 3.76 was also fantastic.

In 10 matches that he played, he bowled 88 overs, 14 of which were maidens. He gave away only 331 runs while claiming 23 wickets. He finished third in the bowling averages, behind only Andy Bichel of Australia and Vasbert Drakes of the West Indies. It was great performance by the left- armer who bowled as consistently as ever.

In Sri Lanka’s

62 opening game at Goodyear Park, Bloemfontein he did not take any wicket against the New Zealanders but he conceded only 22 runs in seven overs which did contribute to the success of his team. The Black Caps, chasing 273, were unable to find an answer to score off him quickly.

Vaas created history in Sri Lanka’s second game which was played against Bangladesh at City Oval, Pietermaritzburg. He took three wickets on the first three balls of the match to accomplish an extraordinary feat.

63 It was a sensational hat trick. He took another wicket in his opening over which made four in all. It was for the first time in the history of One day Internationals that anybody had completed a hat-trick on the first three balls of match.

The first delivery from Vaas, normally a loosener from any fast bowler, was an inswinger. Hannan Sarkar went for an expansive drive, missed and was bowled. Muhammad Ashraful walked in and on his very first ball scooped a return catch to a delighted Vaas.

The hat-trick ball was pitched up which was driven by EhsanulHaq but the resulting edge was plucked in the slips by MahelaJayawardene. The hat-trick had been completed.

The hurried manner in which the Bangladesh batsmen were coming and going a double hat-trick had also become a probability. SanawarHussain broke the sequence by helping himself to a boundary on his first ball which was the fourth of the over. But he missed the very next one and Vaas appealed successfully for leg-before decision.

Vaas then returned to dismiss Alamagir Shahriar and MashrafeMurataza to finish with the figure of sixfor25 from 9.1 overs.

Bangladesh recovered after the shock of the opening over but their total of 124 hardly ever worried Sri Lanka who went on to win the match by 10 wickets.

64 Sri Lanka but not Vaas made another history in the very next matche as they bowled Canada out for 36 at Boland Bank Park, Paarl, which was the lowest total by any team in One-day Internationals. Vaas chipped in with three wickets in his seven overs.

Vaas got another three wickets against Kenya at Gymkhana Club Ground, Nairobi, but his own team collapsed while chasing 211 in 50 overs. It was a huge upset as the Sri Lankans, on a high after three emphatic victories, were brought down to earth.

It was Vaas again who helped his team win the crucial tie against the West Indies at Newland, Cape Town. After having scored an unbeaten 28 off 25 balls, he captured four wickets for only 22 runs in his 10 overs to engineer a thrilling victory which put Sri Lanka in a strong position to move to the Super Six. He was the obvious choice for Man of the Match in this crunch encounter.

Vaas, for a change, went wicketless in the tied game against South Africa at Kingsmead, Durban, but he had done enough to guide his team to the next round.

He was put to sword by the rampaging Australians in the first Super Six encounter at Super Sport Park Centurion. He, however, escaped punishment at the hands of the belligerent Indians in the next outing. He bowled well in the game against Zimbabwe too which his team won quite comfortably to sail into the semifinals.

Vaas was accorded respect by the Australians in the semifinal at St George’s Par, Port Elizabeth, where he gave away only 34 runs in his 10 overs and claimed three wickets. It was wonderful performance against the best team of the competition which could compile only 212 runs in 50 overs.

The Sri Lankan top-order batsmen, while chasing a not too formidable total, failed to deliver and it was all over for them in the competition which meant Vaas didn’t get the opportunity to extend his tally of wickets by playing the final.

65 Adam Gilchrist

Adam Gilchrist, without any shadow of doubt, is the greatest wicketkeeper-batsman of the modern era. It are the exciting and daring cricketers like him, who have been instrumental in making Australia the most sought after team in the world of cricket.

He has been an integral part of the all-conquering Australian team. His awesome batting has made a world of difference to the team that has possessed exceptional talents in all departments of the game.

66 67 He had broken into One day internationals earlier because his aggression and enterprise were more suited to the shorter version of the game. But the moment he was provided with the opportunity of playing Test cricket he grabbed it with both hands. He wasted no time in proving himself the leading wicketkeeper-batsman of the world in all forms of the game.

The dashing Gilchrist at the top of the order is a huge bonus in one-day games. He is one batsman who likes to go after the bowling from the word go. He does not believe in playing himself in to get the feel of the conditions. Anything slightly short or touch wayward is summarily dispatched to the boundaries from ball number one.

Gilchrist, as expected, did play the pivotal role in Australia’s resounding success in the World Cup 2003. Apart from scoring 408 runs at an average of 40.80, he held 21 catches behind the stumps in the 10 matches that he played.

Although his aggregate was fourth in the list of the highest run-getters, his astronomical strike rate of 105.15 was the best in the competition and his dismissals were the highest in the tournament. Australia could not have desired better performance from their great wicketkeeper- batsman.

Gilchrist, interestingly, was denied a flying start to the tournament as his attempted big hit on the third ball he faced was plucked in the outfield. WaqarYounis took the catch much to the delight of Wasim

68 Akram, who was bowling superbly in his opening spell. It was left to Andrew Symonds to repair the damage and Australia pulled off a comfortable win in the end.

India were not spared by the mercurial left-hander. Although the Aussies were chasing a rather modest target, Gilchrist did not believe in wasting time. He hammered six boundaries in his 48 off 61 balls before getting stumped off Anil Kumble.

Although the pitch at the Harare Sports Club was too slow to his liking, Gilchrist powered his away to 61 off 75 balls to help Australia overpower Zimbabwe with 2.3 overs remaining.

With Australia having pocketed their first three matches, Gilchrist was rested for the game against Holland. He missed out against Namibia scoring only 13 off 22 balls in the following game where quite a few records were broken.

He was in terrific form in what turned out to be a low-scoring game against England but after having smashed five boundaries in his 22 off 18 balls, he top-edged Andrew Caddick to be snapped by Michael Vaughan at third man.

Gilchrist was in full cry in the opening Super Six tie against Sri Lanka. He was helped by some untidy cricket by the Sri Lankans but he looked in imperious form while scoring 99 off 88 balls. He was run out by Chaminda Vaas while attempting a second run for his skipper Ricky Ponting.

69 He should not have been all that disappointed at being dismissed for 99 because he had been dropped on 96.

He was undone by the brilliance of New Zealand speedster Shane Bond in the next match. But the mighty Australian had showed his class while scoring 18 off 20 balls at a time when the runs had dried up.

The inexperienced Kenyans, despite having been assured of a semifinal slot, had no idea where to bowl to the supremely confident Gilchrist. He literally toyed with their bowling.

His blistering 67 off 43 balls had broken the hearts of Kenyan supporters but his dismissals triggered a collapse and the Australians had to change gears before completing the win.

Australia took on Sri Lanka again in the semifinals. As in the Super Six game, the Aussies batted first and Gilchrist meant business from the outset. He blasted a huge six in only the second over of the match to make his intentions clear.

It was SanathJayasuriya’s imaginative captaincy which set up the dismissal of the rampaging Gilchrist. In only the sixth over of the innings, it was Aravinda de Silva’s friendly off-spin which Gilchrist tried to sweep but bottom edged it to wicketkeeper Kumara Sangakkara.

The Sri Lankans jumped in the air to appeal for the catch but South African umpire Rudi Koertzen did not raise his finger. He did shake his head a little to suggest the batman was not out.

70 dressing room. He had scored 22 runs off 20 balls and was looking good. But he proved the point that cricket still remain the gentlemen’s game no matter how much professionalism, commercialism or technology get into it.

Australia won the semifinal anyway and cruised into the final where Gilchrist went after the bowling from the moment he landed at the crease. His onslaught demoralized the Indian bowlers and his 67 off 48 balls laid the platform for the likes of Ponting and Martyn to build a massive score. Australia ran away with the trophy once more which they certainly deserved by all means. While Ponting deserved all the credit for leading his team to victory, it was his deputy, Gilchrist, who won greater praise for his remarkable performance on and off the field.

All credit to Gilchrist for having walked before the umpire’s decision in the crucial semifinal fixture. His sporting gesture will be remembered for a long time. He had headed for the pavilion anyway despite the enormity of the occasion and the importance of his innings to the team.

His decision to walk did not go unnoticed as it opened doors for a place for him in the corporate world. Gilchrist was offered a job at Travelex, the foreign exchange company, as a non-executive director. Travelex were the sponsors of Gilchrist and the Australians team, but they said they chose him for this position after he walked despite being given not out.

Lloyd Dorfman, the company chairman, said Gilchrist showed strong ethics in a high-pressure situation: “Here you have got a guy who is prepared to walk himself out in the critical moment in the semifinal of a World Cup tournament and in terms of integrity I don’t think you can do much better than that.”

Gilchrist’s appointment was believed to be the first of its kind, and he was probably shocked at the news. “My reaction was, ‘what have I got to offer?’ when I walked in that game I certainly did not think it would lead to something like this,” he was quoted as saying.

71 Glenn McGrath

The Indian skipper, Sourav Ganguly, is of the opinion that Australia are unlikely to rule the world once people like Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne call it a day. One has to agree with Ganguly's observations because the Aussies have indeed struggled more often than not while taking the field without these two great bowlers.

While Warne distinguished himself by mastering the most difficult art of leg-spin bowling, McGrath has bowled extraordinarily well over the years to serve the title of the best fast bowler in the world.

There are indeed faster bowlers around but no one could match the consistency of this wonderful Australian quickie. His accuracy is remarkable and even the greatest batsmen of the era had to be cautious while tackling him. Without having frightening pace, he has been a most devastating fast bowler, possessing the rare capability of running through a side.

72 Spearheading the pace attack of Australia for so many year is no joke. Australia are a country blessed with a large number of outstanding cricketers. They have the infrastructure, the management, the climate and the big money to keep the youngsters interested in cricket.

They have worked very hard to attain their current status of being the premier side in international cricket.They have developed incredible academies which keep fine-tuning the skills of their highly gifted cricketers.

One has to possess outstanding skills to make it to the current Australian cricket team. And one needs to perform consistently at the top to remain a permanent member of the playing eleven.

73 The lanky McGrath, despite being handicapped by injuries, has met the challenge of spearheading the Australian attack with distinction. He has bowled so magnificently over the years.

He might be at the twilight of his career but he has lost none of his zeal and eagerness which made him one of most devastating fast bowlers in the world. It's quite extraordinary how he manages to control his line and length throughout his long spells at the various stages of the innings.

McGrath's exceptional qualities have made him an asset for his team in Test cricket as well as One-day Internationals. He knows better than anybody else how to adjust his length to keep the batsmen quiet and guessing. He tests the patience and skills of the batmen by not letting them take liberties against his bowling.

Over the years he has been particularly lethal against left-handers. He

74 has thoroughly enjoyed his duels with the champion West Indian batsman, Brian Lara. He has often been equal to the task while bowling to the Indian Grand Master, Sachin Tendulkar. They have been the two greatest batsmen of the modern era and both of them speak very highly of McGrath.

World Cup is one event which has witnessed the very best of McGrath. He has been spearheading the Aussies pace attack since 1996. So he has played three tournaments so far. In 1996 the Australians had finished runners-up but they have been the champions in 1999 and 2003. So they have been in the final of all three competitions in which McGrath has spearheaded their bowling attack.

He finished fourth in the bowling averages in the World Cup 2003. Having played in all 11 matches McGrath claimed as many as 21 wickets at an average of 14.76. Only his teammate Brett Lee and Sri Lanka's ChamindaVaas captured more wickets than him during the competition.

As usual, McGrath's economy rate was superb. Despite bowling 87 overs, all he conceded was 3.56 runs per over which the best among the bowlers having taken 10 or more wickets in the tournament.

McGrath only victim in the game against Pakistan was Inzamam-ul- Haq and his lone scalp in the following match against India was Yuvraj Singh. He bowled very tightly against Zimbabwe to return the figures of two for 24 off nine overs. He was needed to send down just three economical overs against Holland.

After a relatively quiet start from his own high standards, McGrath hit headlines by returning the best-ever World Cup figures of seven for 15 which sent Namibia crashing to 45 all out and Australia emerged victorious by a record margin of 256 runs.

McGrath removed the dangerous Marcus Trescothick in his opening spell to curtail England's advancement. He bowled with a nagging line and length to unsettle the Sri Lankans in the opening Super Six encounter, returning the figures of 2 off 25 from almost 10 overs.

75 As the New Zealanders threatened to dent Australia's unbeaten record, McGrath produced a sensational opening spell to help his side regain the initiative. He broke their batting by taking three top-order wickets in a matter of a few deliveries.

The Kenyans, knowing his ability, preferred to handle him with caution once Lee had shattered them with a deadly opening spell. McGrath went wicketlessbut his 10 overs yielded only 32 overs and Kenya could score just 174 despite playing out 50 overs.

As Australia and Sri Lanka clashed again in the semifinals McGrath delivered another wonderful opening spell which restricted the rate of scoring considerably in the first 15 overs. His only wicket in the match was that of SanathJayasuriya but he would have been happy with his performance as he conceded only 20 runs in seven overs and helped his side win the match.

The spotlight was on young Lee when Australia took the field against India in the final but McGrath proved his master class once more on the big occasion. He saved his team from any possible embarrassment by striking in the very first over of the Indian innings. And it was the big wicket of Tendulkar.

After having pulled the fourth delivery for a boundary, Tendulkar, having scored heavily in earlier matches, went for the hook on the very next ball. He could not middle the ball and up in the air it went. The only thing that could have saved Tendulkar was collision between the fielders. But it was McGrath who went for it in his follow through and completed probably the most valuable caught and bowled of his career.

He then got rid of Muhammad Kaif, who also possessed the ability of scoring freely against quality bowling. It was probably in the fitness of things that McGrath, the most consistent of their players over the years, also got the last Indian wicket in the final which meant that the World Cup was in Australia's kitty for the record third time.

76 77 Rahul Dravid

Rahul Dravid was the key component in the composition of the Indian team in the 2003 World Cup. By agreeing into keep wickets, the world- class batsman provided the much needed balance to his team which lacked quality all-rounders.

There was a time when India possessed quite a few highly gifted all- round cricketers. India were batting down to number 11 in the 1983 World Cup which they had annexed after outclassing the fancied opponents.

Kapil Dev, one of the greatest all-rounders of all time, was leading the Indians in the World Cup in 1983 when his team also had the services of MohinderAmarnath, Ravi Shastri, Roger Binny, MadanLal, Kirti Azad and Balwinder Singh Sandhu, all of whom qualified to be an all-rounder. Wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani was also a more than useful batsman down the order.

The situation was different in the 2003 World Cup. While India did have a lot of world-class batsman and bowlers in their line-up, they

78 79 were handicapped by the lack of quality all-rounders.

India had a specialist wicketkeeper in their 15-member World Cup squad but it was a very wise move to let Dravid perform duties behind the stumps. It allowed India to go into every match with as many as seven specialist batsmen and four regular bowlers.

All credit to Dravid for having accepted the challenge and delivered the goods. Being one of the greatest modern day batsmen he could have easily avoided the additional responsibility but he did it for the cause of the team. He must have known, more than anybody else, what a great difference he was going to make if he kept wickets. He certainly proved himself to be the ultimate team man.

Dravid, by keeping wickets, not only provided the much needed balance to his side but his spirit went a long way in inspiring the team which revolved around talented youngsters. More than the seasoned professionals it are the young folks who look forward to an inspirational figure.

If skipper Sourav Ganguly succeeded in lifting the morale of the team which was short of confidence after the initial hiccups, it were the deeds of vice-captain Dravid which contributed immensely in lifting the spirits of the team.

80 Dravid had volunteered to continue his role as a wicketkeeper in the final against Australia despite an injured finger. He had hurt the middle finger of his left hand during the semifinal against Kenya in Durban.

The injury was caused by keeping to the inspired pace trio of JavagalSrinath, Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra. Despite his best efforts, Dravid had conceded16 byes in this particular game while he had to gather as many as 15 wides sent down by the rampant quickies.

India did have a specialist wicketkeeper in the squad in the form of 18- year old Parthiv Patel, but it was in the team interest to continue with Dravid in the final.

The Indian camp was certainly worried by his injury on the eve of the big match but Dravid had brought all his will power into play to recover quickly and do the job he had been doing throughout the World Cup. His selflessness also merited recognition.

Dravid’s new-found skills as a wicketkeeper as much as his batting number five were the key factors and India could not afford entering the final without their most resilient character.

So Dravid fulfilled the promise and did perform the duties of the wicketkeeper in the final as well, much to the relief of skipper Ganguly and the entire team. Dravid did his job to the best of his abilities but sadly his bowlers lost the plot and were unable to control their line and

81 length allowing the all-conquering Aussies to build a mammoth total.

The Indian bowlers had a forgettable World Cup final but there was not much Dravid could have done to prevent the catastrophe for his team. He conceded only a couple of byes in the huge Australian score of 359. It was terrific performance behind the stumps considering the fact that the bowlers were spraying their deliveries far too away from their target on a regular basis.

In the final Dravid also scored a brisk 47 off 57 balls. But it only delayed the inevitable. The Indians hardly had any realistic chance of overtaking the Australian total once their master blasters were back in the hut without playing the kind of innings that could have turned it around for them.

Dravid had a wonderful tournament and his brilliant all-round performance contributed significantly in the success of his team. He was third in the World Cup batting averages, having aggregated 318 runs at 63.40. Only Herschelle Gibbs of South Africa and Damien Martyn of Australia had batter averages than him.

He also secured third highest number of dismissals in the tournament. He had 15 catches and one stumping during 11 matches. Only Adam Gilchrist of Australia and Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka had more dismissals than him.

Dravid appeared to be enjoying the wicketkeeping duties from the first game of the tournament. He may not have been satisfied with his tally of 17 off38 balls but he caught three Dutch batsmen behind the stumps in quick succession in India’s opening game.

As the Australians fast bowlers bombarded, Dravid adopted the strategy of standing like a wall. He withstood the furious spell with courage but before he could open his shoulders, he was undone by Jason Gillespie who had rocked the Indian batting at the Super Sport Park in Centurion.

Dravid held the Indian innings together after the early onslaught to

82 help his side post a winning total against Zimbabwe. He remained an unbeaten on 43 off 55 balls to ensure that India went past 250 before the overs ran out.

He did not get an opportunity to bat when India demolished Namibia, thanks to the magnificent centuries from Tendulkar and Ganguly.

He had a big role to play when India took an England. He played gem of an innings in trying conditions. He top scored for India with 62 off 72 deliveries. Then Ashish Nehra produced that sensational spell to earn the much-needed victory for India.

Dravid was at his best against Pakistan too. After the onslaught from Tendulkar, the asking rate had come down considerably but India needed someone to stay in the middle and just rotate the strike. Dravid rose to the occasion once more and his unbeaten 44 off 76 balls took India to victory with as many as 4.2 overs to spare.

He was required to play second fiddle to skipper Ganguly when India had lost three wickets in the Super Six encounter against Kenya. The Indian vice-captain made a patient 32 off 73 deliveries to stabilize the innings after the horrible start. With Ganguly in top flight and young gun Yuvraj Singh scoring briskly, India romped home without further hiccups.

Dravid had to bat lower down in the order against Sri Lanka when India tried to accelerate in the final overs. Bu he made his presence felt with an unbeaten 18 off 12 balls, taking India close to 300.

The New Zealand fast bowlers were keen to make a match of it when they came out to defend a modest total of 146. Three wickets had gone down literally for nothing and the pressure was once more on Dravid to guide his team to safety.

After an uncertain start, he settled down and played yet another match winning knock. He and Muhammad Kaif took India to victory with nearly 10 overs to spare.

83 Marvan Atapattu

It’s rather miraculous that MarvanAtapattu continued playing international cricket after a nightmarish start. He had been dismissed without scoring no less than five times in his first six outings in Test cricket.

It’s indeed hard to believe that even after the disastrous start to his Test career, Atapattu has not only survived but flourished on the international arena. He has not only gone on to become the captain of his team but he has also turned to be one of the most reliable opening batsmen in the world in both forms of the game.

84 85 Sunil Gavaskar was once heard saying that Atapattu started his Test career like the international dialing code where you are required to dial too many zeros. Five zeros in the first six Test innings would have demoralized any individual but not Atapattu. He has fought his way and demonstrated his class. He had gone from strength to strength to become the leading batsman of his team.

Tough characters like Atapattu are greatly beneficial to any side. His never say die approach is quite inspirational. While wickets may tumble at the other end, he would remain unruffled and do his job according to the situation.

Self-control is another factor which has helped him accomplish the deeds which looked far too unrealistic when he was breaking into international cricket. While the majority of his teammates took pride in going after the bowling Atapattu resisted the temptation of emulating them. Instead of trying their aerial shots, he played his trademark cover drives and straight drives with minimum of risk.

It’s not easy to control yourself when your partner at the other end is tearing apart the bowling. There is always the temptation to play agricultural shots yourself so that you don’t feel ignored. It needs

86 strength of character to go on playing straight in the circumstances when the likes of Sanath Jayasuirya and Rumesh Kaluwitharana smash the bowlers to all part of the park.

Whenever his team required, Atapattu has also scored briskly. He has the capability of playing the big shots as well. But he does it only when if his team needs him to perform this role. He knows his responsibilities and does justice with them.

Mostly Atapattu has been assigned the task of anchoring the innings. He has excelled in this role on a number of occasions. When the chips are down, he’s the man his team look forward to. He has seldom let his team down.

And look at the transformation. The man who was making the news for getting dismissed for ducks once too often at the start of his career, is now leading the way in scoring multiple hundreds in Test cricket. He is the man when it comes to playing real big innings. He has the temperament and the skills to deliver. But by his own admission, Atapattu happens to be a nervous starter. That’s why he has 18 ducks in Test cricket.

Sri Lanka had high hopes from him when they landed in South Africa for the World Cup 2003. He did live up to the expectation and was instrumental in taking Sri Lanka to the semifinals. Not surprisingly he was the leading run-getter of his side.

Having played in all games, MarvanAtapattu aggregated 382 runs at an average of 58.12. His strike rate was 84.51. He finished sixth in the World Cup batting averages. Only Herschelle Gibbs of South Africa, Damien Martyn of Australia and the Indian trio of Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and SouravGanguly had higher averages than him. His

87 aggregate was the fifth highest in the tournament.

Not for the first time in his career, Atapattu had a nervous start to the tournament. He could score only six off 17 balls in Sri Lanka’s opening match against New Zealand. It was left to the master blaster Jayasuriya to guide the Sri Lankans to a winning total.

Although Bangladesh were routed for a modest total after the sensational first over hat trick recorded by ChamindaVaas, there was ample opportunity for Atapattu to run into form with a classy unbeaten 69 off 71 balls.

The Sri Lankan bowlers engineered a dramatic collapse against the Canadians, bowling them out for a paltry 36. Four sizzling boundaries from Atapattu in his unbeaten 24 off 14 balls took Sri Lanka home in just 4.4 overs which was the fastest run chase in the history of the World Cup.

After registering cakewalk victories in their earlier matches the 1996 World Cup champions were caught napping by the enthusiastic Kenyans at the Gymkhana Club Ground in Nairobi. The target of 211 in 50 overs looked a straight forward one for the mighty Sri Lankan batting line- up but an unexpected collapse saw them getting bundled out for 157.

Atapattu perished in the 12th over after having scored 23 off 38 overs. It could have been a different story to relate, had he batted longer.

He was run out for three in the crucial match against the West Indies but the Sri Lankans controlled the game nicely even after losing their dependable opener in only the fourth over of their innings.

88 Sri Lanka desperately needed a big knock from Atapattu in their last league fixture against the hosts South Africa. And he played probably the innings of his lifetime.

His wonderful knock of 124 from 129 deliveries had laid the foundations for a huge total but the failure of the middle-order batsmen with the sole exception of Aravinda de Silva limited them to 268 in their quota of 50overs.

Atapattu dominated the bowling, much to the disappointment of the South Africans. Once he had added 152 off 141 balls for the fourth wicket with de Silva, a total in the excess of 300 was very much on the cards. But his dismissals in the 45th over allowed the hosts to pull it back.

The South Africans, fighting for their dear lives, went for everything to get to their target in order to stay alive in the competition. It was a fatal mistake in calculations which eliminated them from the tournament. The keenly contested encounter ended in a tie and Atapattu was adjudged the Man of the Match for his superlative hundred.

Atapattu, just when he looked ominous from the Australian point of view, offered a return catch to Brett Lee who made no mistake in the Super Six fixture. He had struck three boundaries in his 16 off 24 balls and was looking in great form. He had picked up in the second round from where he had left in the previous round.

He did not trouble the scorers in the game against India but notched up his second century in four games to guide his team to comfortable victory over Zimbabwe. He held the innings together, scoring an unbeaten 103 off 127 balls. He was declared the Man of the Match yet again and Sri Lanka had advanced to the semifinals.

Atapattu failed to get going for the second time against Australia and the Sri Lankans were knocked out of the competition. He could score only 14 off 17 balls and his team was unable to get anywhere near to their target.

89 Zaheer Khan

Zaheer Khan had broken into international cricket with a bang. He had hit headlines in his very first outing for his country, which was the ICC Knockout Tournament staged in Kenya in October 2000.

And he was one of the stars again when he spearheaded the Indian bowling attack for the first time in the World Cup. The left-arm speedster did justice to his talents in the World Cup 2003 and came out with flying colours.

He turned out to be India’s leading wicket-taker in the tournament. Having played in all the 11 matches, he captured 18 wickets at an average of 20.77. His economy rate of 4.23 was not all that high either.

90 91 Only Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee, both of them from Australia, and Chaminda Vaas of Sri Lanka claimed higher number of wickets than the Indian spearhead.

Had he made most of the favorable bowling conditions in the final, he could have ever emerged as the leader wicket-taker of the tournament and his team might also have lifted the trophy.

Zaheer was one of the main weapons that India possessed during the World Cup 2003 and he did deliver. On the bouncy tracks of South Africa, he had to play a key role if India were to advance into the second round and beyond.

He was on song right from the word go in South Africa. Like a seasoned professional, he did not waste any time in settling down. He brought into play all his experience that he had gained while playing international cricket for India in the past two and a half years.

The Indian batsman had not come off in their opening match against Holland but the bowlers were not perturbed and they did the job clinically. Sharing the new ball with the vastly experienced Javagal Srinath, Zaheer was on target most of the time.

The Dutch batsmen had very little idea which ways the

92 ball were moving. They were unable to come to terms with Zaheer’s left arm pace bowling. He went past their batsmen on a number of occasions, forcing them onto the defensive.

He got only one wicket but his eight overs yielded just 17 runs. His hostile bowling was instrumental in causing panic in the ranks of the fragile Dutch batting line-up and India won the match quite convincingly in the end.

The Indian batsmen failed miserably when confronted by the deadly Australian bowling on a lively strip at the Super Sport Park in Centurion. The total of 125 was far too less to bring the supremely confident Australian batters under any kind of pressure.

Both Srinath as well as Zaheer were hammered for 26 runs in their four overs by the flamboyant Australian openers and there was not much the Indians could have done under the circumstances after having been bundled out for a low score.

India, however, did have runs to play with while taking on Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club in Harare.

The Indian bowlers rose to the occasion and the match was always in their grasp. Skipper Sourav Ganguly made things easier for his front line bowlers by chipping in with three wickets in the middle of the innings. Zaheer returned to demolished the tail and India won handsomely.

93 94 There was not much pressure on the Indian bowlers either when they came out to defend a massive total of 311 against Namibia. Zaheer bowled well once again capturing two top-order wickets in his opening spell. With Yuvraj Singh cleaning the tail, the regular bowlers were not needed in the final phase of the innings.

The match against England was going to be a real test for the Indian bowlers when they had to defend a not too formidable total.

After Nick Knight had been run out brilliantly by Muhammad Kaif, it was Zaheer, having started the proceedings for India, who got rid of the dangerous Marcus Trescothick. Then Ashish Nehra took over. Zaheer returned to dismiss lastman James Anderson to complete a deserving win for India.

Zaheer did a commendable job yet again while spearheading the Indian bowling attack in the high voltage match against Pakistan. After drawing the first blood by removing Taufeeq Umar, he accounted for Younis Khan, who was threatening to tear apart the Indian bowling.

He could have had another wicket but he had overstepped while castling Wasim Akram with a beauty. Yet it was a wonderful effort, returning the figures of two for 46 off 10 overs on a flat wicket where the Pakistan bowlers were hammered all over the park later in the afternoon.

He went wicketless in the Super Six fixture against Kenya but he was back in business in the next game against Sri Lanka, returning the figures of two for 33 off seven overs.

95 96 Zaheer was at his best at the Super Sport Park in Centurion where he blasted the New Zealand batting line-up. He struck twice in succession in the very first over of the day.

As the Black Caps showed signs of recovering, he switched ends and bowled Brendon McCullum between bat and pad to claim his 100th wicket in One day Internationals. The figures of four for 43 earned Zaheer his first World Cup Man of the Match award.

He was at it again claiming three cheap wickets against Kenya in the semifinals at the Kingsmead in Durban. But the Man of the Match award went to skipper Ganguly for his unbeaten hundred.

Zaheer was one of India’s main hopes in the final against Australia. He was fortunate to be bowling first on a track offering considerable movement.Probably he was over enthusiastic or a little bit overawed by the occasion. He bowled all over the place, making it difficult for his captain to set a proper field for him.

He could not recapture his top form in his later spells either and the score kept mounting. But it was his wayward opening spell which allowed Australia to build the platform for a Himalayan total. The pressure of delivering in the big match seemed to have taken its toll on his highly promising youngster.

97 Khaled Mahmud

While the World Cup 1999 was a dream come true stuff for Bangladesh, the World Cup 2003 turned out to be a nightmare for them.

Having attained Test status after their amazing performance in the previous World Cup, they failed miserably in the global event four years later.

It was generally being anticipated that Bangladesh after having played so much of international cricket over the last four years would come up with better performance than in the World Cup 1999.

Bangladesh had been drawn in the easier of the two groups in the World Cup 2003.

South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka

98 99 and the West Indies were the other Test playing nations in their Group alongwith the two non-Test playing teams, Kenya and Canada.

Bangladesh were expected to register victories over Kenya and Canada. While South Africa and Sri Lanka were considered the two strongest outfits in their Group, Bangladesh could have fancied their chances

100 even against New Zealand and the West Indies, both of whom had the reputation of wilting under pressure.

But the Bangladesh think-tank did not appear confident about their own strength. It became quite clear as the tournament progressed that they had not done their homework. In an era when every Test team does a lot of working on their opponents, it seemed as if they had not even properly evaluated or assessed their own players.

Bangladesh’s approach to the World Cup 2003 reminded many of India’s approach to the World Cup 1979. Despite having quite a few capable hands in their folds, the Indians had entered the tournament with a negative frame of mind, believing that they did not stand any chance whatsoever. And what was the result. The Indians were defeated in all their three matches. Even Sri Lanka, then an associate member of the ICC, had made a mockery of the Indian team.

Just as India had to play the heavy price of not having enough faith in their abilities in 1979, Bangladesh suffered in 2003. Despite having experienced and talented fellows in their side, they lacked self-belief and direction. Under the circumstances, there was hardly any element of surprise in watching them crash to one defeat after another. They remained winless in the competition.

It’s quite strange that they had left out their premier all-rounder Khaled Mahmud from their eleven in their first couple of games. The only justified reason of not having could have been possible injury.

But there was no such reports from the concerned quarters. It remained

101 a mystery then why he was not selected in the first two games if he was fully fit.

Khaled, who was appointed the skipper of Bangladesh after the debacle in the World Cup under the captaincy of Khaled Mashud, turned out to be the leading wicket-taker for his side during the competition.

In the four games that he played, he captured six wickets with his medium fast bowling at an average of 25.50 which would have been acceptable to some other teams too. His economy rate (4.72) was not on the high side either.

It had indeed come as a surprise when he was not selected for the opening game in which Bangladesh was stunned by Canada. While it was a moment of elation for the Canadians, the Bangladeshis had every reason to be ashamed of their performance in that day-nighter at the Kingsmead, Durban.

Bangladesh badly missed his all-round abilities in the game against Canada. While his medium pace bowling could have curtailed the Canadian score, he was also capable of contributing quite a few runs which might have saved his team from the humiliation.

Khaled was ignored in the second game as well which was against Sri Lanka at the City Oval, Pietermaritzburg. It was yet another game the Bangladeshis would like to forget soon. After being at the receiving end of a sensational hat-trick by ChamindaVaas on the first three balls of the match, Bangladesh could only manage to score 124 and were blasted by 10 wickets.

Khaled made a belated entry in the World Cup 2003 when he was finally selected for the third game, which was against the West Indies at the Willowmoore Park, Benoni.

He succeeded in making an impression right away by returning the figures of two for 48 off 10 overs. It was quite an acceptable performance from someone playing his first match of the tournament.

102 The West Indies, who had amassed 278 in the opening match against South Africa, could only make 244 runs for nine off their 50 overs against Bangladesh.

The horrible batting from in which Bangladesh were in, even the target of 245 would have proved too much for them. It was certainly the misfortune of the West Indians that the match was ruined by weather and they were robbed of a couple of vital points.

Bangladesh, on the other hands, gained their only two points of the competition by virtue of this rain affected match which could not be completed.

Khaled proved his mettle with the bat in the next match, scoring 23 off 35 balls against the fancied South Africans at the Goodyear Park, Bloemfontein. He was the second highest scorer for his team but their eventual total of 108 was not enough to save them from yet another 10- wicket mauling.

Bangladesh came up with improved performance in the following game against New Zealand at the de Beers Diamonds Oval, Kimberley. They played out their quota of 50 overs and scored 198 runs.

The New Zealanders were in a hurry to get those runs in order to improve their net run-rate. While all the Bangladeshi bowlers were put to sword by the rampaging Black Caps, Khaled got all the three wickets to fall in the run chase.

He bowled quite well, giving away only 46 runs in his 10 overs. He did not bowl badly either against Kenya, having the figures of one for 39 off 10 overs in another lost cause.

It was quite a task picking up Bangladesh’s best Player in the World Cup 2003 because not a single player aggregated in three figures despite having played six matches. Among the lot Khaled Mahmud won the nod because of his six wickets and 38 runs.

103 Herschelle Gibbs

South Africa for the third time in four appearances were knocked out of the World Cup in the cruelest of circumstances. In 1992, while making their World Cup debut, they were edged out in the semifinals after being denied the opportunity of having a go at the target due to unexpected rains and the mysterious tournament rules.

They had themselves to blame, however, for having crashed in the quarter-finals after having won all their six league matches in 1996 but the South Africans were desperately unlucky in 1999 when Allan Donald was run out with the score tied in the semifinals.

It was another tied match which threw them out of the World Cup in

104 105 2003. It was in their own territory. The Kingsmead in Durban was the venue where the South Africans paid the price of miscalculations in another rain-hit match. It was a rather sad end to their campaign in the tournament.

106 One man who must have been hurt most by the outcome was their right-handed opening batsman Herscelle Gibbs. He had lived upto the billing of being the number one batsman of the team and he must be wondering where things had gone wrong on his part.

Gibbs topped the batting averages in the competition. In six matches that South Africa were able to play, he amassed no less than 384 runs at an average of 96.00. His strike rate was as impressive as his average. He scored all his runs at a rate of 100.76 which was a monumental effort by all means. The manner in which he had batted, he did stand a chance of scoring many more runs had South Africa not been eliminated before the Super Six.

It must been very frustrating for Gibbs in particular to have been denied the opportunity of helping himself to flurry of runs in the knockout stage of the competition. He was in the form of his lifetime and it would have come as a little surprise if had become the leading scorer of the tournament. He appeared hungry for runs in all outings and his tendency to dominate the bowling was a cause of concern for every team.

Gibbs, however, was not allowed to get on with it in the opening match

107 of the tournament featuring hosts South Africa and the West Indies. The majestic century from Brian Lara helped the West Indians post a fighting total of 278 in the day-nighters at Newlands, Cape Town.

The target was not out of South Africa’s reach but they needed Gibbs to fire. He appeared in supreme form, having struck four boundaries in his brief stay at the crease. But the capacity crowd became silent when he departed in the ninth over after having scored 24 off 28 balls. It was a big blow and it turned out to be decisive as well. Gary Kirsten, Mark Boucher and Lance Klusener did contribute their bit but neither of them could take through and South Africa fell short by three runs.

The South Africans must have been in a furious mood and it were the Kenyans who came under the hammer in their next match at North West Cricket Stadium, Potchefstroom. After the bowlers had done their job, it was Gibbs in the company of Kirsten, who mesmerized them. Gibbs was the dominant partner in the 142-run unbroken opening partnership. He blasted four huge sixes apart from a dozen fours in his 87 off 66 balls.

Gibbs had accelerated after reaching his 50 off 46 balls. He had torn apart the bowling for sake of his team as the net run-rate was to come into equation at a later stage of the tournament. The Kenyans bowling, as it materialized later, was not as ordinary as was reflected in this particular game. So it was the genius of Gibbs which did not let the Kenyans bowlers settle down.

The mercurial Gibbs showed his class by scoring 143 off 141 balls in the crucial game against New Zealand at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. He hammered 19 fours and three sixes before departing in the 46th over. His magnificent innings had built the platform the South Africans desired and a total in the excess of 300 was deemed defendable.

It was the failure of the South African bowlers later in the day which cost them the game despite the heroics of Gibbs. Not meant to take any credit away from New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming who played

108 the innings of his lifetime, the hosts did not show the customary discipline in bowling which proved decisive in the end. All the good work of Gibbs was undone and South Africa faced prospects of early elimination despite having the second strongest team on paper.

If Kenya had to endure the South African fury after the latter’s loss to the West Indies, it was the turn of Bangladesh to face the music at Goodyear Park, Bloomfontein, where the wounded South Africans met them after the disaster against New Zealand in their previous match. The story remained unchanged.

Bangladesh, struggling to find any kind of form in the competition, was bundled out for 108. Again in pursuit of quick runs the South African openers meant business from the word go. Gibbs and Kirsten did it in style, taking just 12 overs to get to the target. Gibbs, for a change, remained quieter as Kirsten took charge. Gibbs contributed 49 off 40 balls while Kirsten made 52 off 32 balls.

Gibbs could not strike form against Canada at Buffalo Park East London. His only two scoring shots were boundaries but he fell soon afterwards and the South Africans had to struggle to post a decent total. It showed how much they depended on Gibbs. The inexperienced Canadian batsmen had little clues to master the South African bowling so the match remained a one-sided affair.

South Africa had to defeat Sri Lanka at Kingsmead, Durban, to enter Super Six. The Sri Lankans scored 268 in 50 overs and the hosts had another fight up their sleeves. Gibbs was the man they looked forward to yet again.

He did come to their rescue and scored a half century at a good rate but could not finish the game. He departed in the 29th over after scoring 73 off 88 balls.

Gibbs was bowled by off-spinner Mutiah Muralitharan. It was the only wicket that the wily spinner did take but it changed the course of the match. The South Africans did fight on but failed by a whisker in the end.

109 Wasim Akram

WasimAkram, acclaimed as the greatest left-arm fast bowler the world has ever produced, was the hero of the 1992 World Cup. He had made quite an impact in his first-ever World Cup as well which was staged in 1987 but it was four and a half years later when he had come up with the sterling performance that allowed Pakistan to snatch the trophy against all odds.

Also a most powerful hitter of the cricket ball, he had the honour of the leading Pakistan in the next two editions of the World Cup. Like his mentor Imran Khan, he also believed in leading by example.

110 111 Although the 1999 World Cup became controversial because of the match fixing scandals, Wasim had done exceptionally because well to take Pakistan into the final. It was a praiseworthy performance by all means. It’s quite strange that Pakistan’s team was brutally condemned even after ending runners-up among 12 teams.

Wasim remained in and out of the team after what was described as a debacle in the 1999 World Cup. He had injuries as well as problems with the Board officials. A lot of experimentation was made and quite a few newcomers were tried to fill his slot. What was forgotten in the process that cricketers like Wasimwere not born every other day!

It was the country’s as well as the game’s misfortune that he was dragged into controversies. He was made to sit out for a number of games. People tried to settle scores with him without realizing the damage they were causing.

When it was finally realized that Wasim was the best choice to lead the

112 113

Wasim Akram country in the 2003 World Cup there was a change of mind at the eleventh hour. He was included in the squad but he was not handed over the captaincy.

He had proved his stature as a captain. He had the brain. He had the capability. He had the experience. He had led the country in the past couple of editions of the World Cup. Once he was fit to play there was not much sense in not allowing him to lead the country. It was a costly mistake. Pakistan billed as one of the pre-tournament favourites, could not even make it to the Super Six.

Wasim, as he had done throughout his career, silenced his critics with his trademark terrific performance in the field. Despite being sidelined for reasons other than cricket during the last few years, he remained Pakistan best performer in the 2003 World Cup.

It was a tribute to his skills that he finished fifth in the bowling averages in the presence of so many younger bowlers. Only Andy Bichel, Vasbert Drakes, ChamindaVaas and Glenn McGrath had better averages than him.

In the six matches that he played, he picked up 12 wickets at an average of 16.75. His economy rate (4.23) was not all that high either. He was Pakistan’s best bowler by all counts. Not only was he the leading wicket- taker for the country but he also had the best average.

114 115 Wasn’t it strange that his position in the team was being jeopardized by people with vested interests! Imagine where Pakistan would have finished in the non-presence of Wasim in the tournament.

During the tournament, he also became the first bowler in the history of One-day Internationals to capture 500 wickets. Remember he has also taken 414 wickets in Test cricket. The Dutch opener Nick Statham was his 500th wicket. Statham was out for a duck after misreading a trademark inswingingyorker from the demon fast bowler.

Wasim had started the tournament with a bang. His fiery opening spell at the New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, had the hot-favourites and eventual champions Australia reeling at 52 for three.

He had taken the prized scalps of Adam Gilchrist, Mathew Hayden and Damien Martyn to take Pakistan right on top. His fiery opening spell reminded many of his devastating spells against the fancied England in the final of the 1992 World Cup at Melbourne, Australia.

It was the lack of discipline and penetration on part of other celebrated bowlers which allowed Australia get away with it from a precious position this time roubd. It could have been a different cup of tea altogether for the Aussies, had Wasim received support from the order end in what was the opening game for both the teams.

He was adjudged the Man of the Match when Pakistan overpowered Namibia at the De Beers Diamond Oval, Kimberley. After contributing a typically breezy unbeaten 20 off 14 balls, he ran through their batting with another devastating spell which saw him return the figures of five for 28 off nine overs.

Although the inexperienced Namibians were making their debut in the tournament, the Pakistan batsmen could not hammer them in the manner they wanted to. Most of the batsmen were short of confidence going into this match but very few of them could avail the opportunity of helping themselves to a big score.

116 As on the many occasions in the past, is was left to the bowlers to salvage pride for the team. Wasim and Shoaib Akhtar blasted out the Namibians for 84 and Pakistan won the match by 171 runs. Wasim claimed five wickets in his opening spell and it was their last pair which more than doubled Namibians total.

He took the key wickets of England opener Marcus Trescothick in another superb opening spell in the crucial game at the Newlands Cape Town. His figures of one for 37 off 10 overs restricted England to 246 in 50 overs but Pakistan’s batting crashed yet again.

He returned the figures of three for 24 off 8.3 overs against Netherlands at the Boland Bank Park, Paarl which helped Pakistan win the match by 97 runs.

He was the only bowler who was accorded some respect by Sachin Tendulkar and company during India’s blistering run chase at the Super Sport Park, Centurion. In fact he had come very close to taking the prized scalp of Tendulkar on a couple of occasions when the master blaster was not sparing anyone.

Wasim did not have the opportunity to bat or bowl in Pakistan’s final outing Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.

117 Vasbert Drakes

Two times champions West Indies had another forgettable World Cup. Having annexed the title in the first two editions of the tournament, they failed to make it to the knockout stage of the World Cup 2003.

The West Indians, known as the Calypso Kings, had ruled the world of cricket for so many years until not too distant past. They used to be the most formidable outfit and they were hardly ever tested by any of their rivals.

The West Indies, which had remained invincible in 1975 and 1979, had seemed destined to complete a hat-trick when they entered the final in 1983. India rocked them and they have not been able to recover from that setback.

118 119 As their genuinely quick bowlers faded out one by one, their own batting was put to test and they were unable to cope with the situation. They failed to make it to the semifinals in 1987 and 1992. They somehow cruised into the semifinals in 1996 but they crashed in the first round in 1999 as well as in 2003.

The fast bowling used to their main weapon. All the teams encountered problems in coming to terms with their speed merchants, who fired thunderbolts on all kinds of surfaces. Thing have changed so dramatically over the years and now the West Indies struggle to find decent medium pacers to do the job for them.

Vasbert Drakes turned to be the best West Indian bowler in the World Cup 2003 but not many people would disagree from the observation that this lively and hard working medium pacer might not have even found a place in the reserves in their team of the Clive Lloyd era.

Certainly, Drakes cannot be held responsible forthe destruction of the West Indian cricket. It’s the job

120 of their administrators and other stakeholders to arrest the decline. He bowled his heart out in the World Cup and he richly deserved the figures he returned. He could have improved upon those figures, had he played more matches in the tournament.

As the West Indies could not advance to the Super Six, Drakes had to be content with just six games. Yet he managed to claim 16 wickets and that too at a remarkably low cost (13.00). He finished number two in the bowling averages, just behind Australia’s Andy Bichel who had an average of 12.31.

The 33-year old Drakes made his presence felt from the word go. He bowled superbly under pressure at the Newlands Cape Town, where the West Indies shocked South Africa in the opening match of the tournament.

Having bowled economically in his earlier spell, he was entrusted with the responsibility of delivering the last over of the high- scoring thriller and he responded with the wicket of dangerman Lance Klusener to win the day for his team.

Skipper Brian Lara had lived upto the reputation of being the man for

121 the big occasion when he scored brilliant century to help the West Indies, the underdogs for the match, post a fighting total of 278.

The South Africans counter attacked when they came out to bat. The West Indian have been known for wilting under pressure. Of all the West Indian bowlers, Drakes was the most accurate.

He bowled according to the field not allowing much width to the batsmen who were looking to score off every delivery. His figures of two for 33 off eight overs helped his team a long way in recording the upset victory.

Drakes bowled beautifully against New Zealand too at the St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth, but the West Indies were at the receiving end in yet another absorbing fixture.

The West Indies had to pay the price of letting the Black Caps off the hook. With the bowlers exploiting the conditions, New Zealand had been reduced to 146 for six in the 33rd over. The late recovery saw the total raised to 241.

The West Indies found the batting equally difficult and the freak run out of Brain Lara through a relay throw did not help their cause either. Drakes tried a few big shots at the fag end of the innings but his unbeaten

122 Drakes and the West Indies were denied the opportunity of improving their figures as rain washed out their match against the struggling Bangladesh at the Willowmoore Park, Benoni.

It was Drakes who led the West Indian fight back at Super Sport Park, Centurion, after Canada’s John Davison had blasted the fastest hundred of the World Cup history. His five-wicket haul helped the West Indies pull it back after the unexpected onslaught from the Canadian opener.

Drakes in fact, were also responsible for the dismissal of the belligerent Davison. Going for his seventh six, Davison was brilliantly caught one handed on the boundary by diving Drakes with the successful bowler being part-timer Wavell Hinds.

Canada had already progressed to 156 in the 23rd over when Davison departed after scoring a magnificent 111 off 76 balls. Drakes, who was not spared either by Davison, settled into a perfect line and length to create untold problems for the inexperienced Canadian batsmen.

After being massacred for 29 runs in his first two overs, Drakes returned to mop up the late-order batting and finished with the very respectable figures of five 44 from 9.5 overs. Canada crashed to 202 all out after being 156 for two at one stage. The West Indies got those runs in just 20.3 overs to improve their net run rate.

The West Indies needed a victory over Sri Lanka to stay afloat in the competition. The bowlers had done their job but their batsmen were not equal to the task. Drakes bowled quite well conceding only 32 runs in his 10 overs and picking up the wicket of Kumar Sangakkara. The West Indies faltered while chasing 229 and lost the match by six runs despite the heroics of Ramnaresh Sarwan and Drakes in the final overs.

The West Indies knew that they were out of the competition when they took on the high-flying Kenyans, who had already progressed to the next round. The match was of academic interest but this did not distract Drakes from returning his second five-wicket haul in the competition.

123 John Davison

Canada has had a long association with the game of cricket. It was way back in 1785 when cricket matches were first played in the province of Quebec, on the site where the Montreal Exposition buildings are firmly in place now.

Canada and the United States of America (USA) had created history by engaging themselves in a cricket series in 1844. This is regarded as the oldest sporting contest of the modern era, predating the famous America’s Cup yacht race which was instituted in 1851 while the modern Olympic Games was launched at Athens, Greece, in 1896.

A Canadian historian has recorded that cricket had become so popular that it was

124 125 declared the national sport of Canada when it became an independent nation in 1867.

It’s not entirely clear as how the popularity of the game declined and it was reduced to a minority sport in North America.

It was not until 1979 when Canada got the opportunity of playing recognized international cricket. It was the second edition of the World Cup cricket tournament that was being staged in England. Sri Lanka and Canada were the only two non-Test playing nations to have entered the competition.

126 They had earned the right of contesting the World Cup alongwith the full members of the Internationals Cricket Council (ICC) by making it to the final of the qualifying rounds. Sri Lanka had gone on to win the qualifying round tournament.

Canada, not surprisingly were unable to field a competitive side which could withstand the fury of the fancied teams like England, Australia and Pakistan. The Canadians were massacred in all three matches despite showing occasional flashes of brilliance.

While Canada receded in the background after the World Cup 1979, Sri Lanka gained full membership of the ICC the same season. It’s quite extraordinary that the two teams who contested the final of the ICC Trophy in 1979, met with contrasting fortunes. Sri Lanka went on become the world champions in 1996 while little was heard from Canada.

The Canadians were content in making a rather quiet progress. They finally managed to regain their place in the World Cup, after a gap of 24 years. They qualified to appear in the World Cup 2003.

There was a world of difference in Canada’s performance. Unlike the World Cup 1979, their players showed greater self-belief and determination. And no one did it better than their prolific all-round John Davison, who was simply terrific.

Rather astonishingly he stroked the quickest-ever hundred in the World Cup history. His record breaking feat certainly overshadowed Canada’s first-ever World Cup win, achieved over Bangladesh, a Test playing nation.

127 128 Davidson came up with probably the most astonishing performanceof the World Cup 2003. The 32-year old Canadian opener rewrote the history books by hammering his century against the West Indies at the Super Sports Park, Centurion, off just 67 balls. It’s the fastest-ever century in the World Cup.

Davison, basically an off-spinner and a defiant lower-order batsman, produced sensational stuff while opening the batting against the West Indies in possession of potent bowling attack.

He destroyed the bowling with an awesome display, much to the amusement of the spectators and the millions of cricket fans watching the telecast live in different parts of the world. It was fascinating stuff which was also regarded as incredible.

His fireworks gladdened the hearts of the Canadians who had least expected such kind of awesome display from one of their batsmen. It would have come as no surprise if the fastest century was recorded against Canada but a Canadian doing it instead was something out of this world.

In complete control of the situation, Davison reached the historic century with a towering six off Mervyn Dillon. He smashed half a dozen sixes as well as eight fours on course of recording the fastest World Cup century. It needed a brilliant catch by Vasbert Drakes near the boundary line to send him back to the hut but not before he had made 111 off only 76 balls.

It was an innings of lifetime and no praise could be too high for him. Those who had the privilege of watching that superb knock must consider themselves fortunate. It was just amazing how he managed to bulldoze a reasonably strong West Indian bowling line up.

Davison remained Canada’s best batsman as well as the best bowler in the tournament, aggregating 226 runs at an impressive average of 37.66. More remarkably it was his strike rate (118.94) which was sensational by all standards.

129 130 In the bowling department, he captured 10 wickets at an average of 18.70. Canada could not have asked for better all-round performance from any of their players.

Having played cricket in Australia as well, Davison had a hand in Canada’s first-ever World Cup victory as well which came at the Kingsmead, Durban, against Bangladesh, a full member of the ICC. He had scored only eight in his team’s total of 180 but he captured two key wickets in five overs to send Bangladesh crashing to 120 all out.

Davison performed quite creditably against Kenya too, at the Newlands, Cape Town. After scoring a breezy 31 off 32 balls in Canada’s eventual total 197, he bowled magnificently to return the figures of three for 15 off 10 overs but even this brilliant performance was not enough to prevent the African nation from winning the game.

Canada achieved much more than they would have desired from the World Cup 2003. Davison put them in the record books. They had the satisfaction of registering their maiden victory in One-day Internationals. They finished ahead of Bangladesh in the points table, which was yet another achievement.

Davison has provided the opportunity to Canada to cash in. It remains to be seen how the Canadian Cricket Association handles the situation. Cricket indeed is still a minor sport in Canada but with a large number of immigrants pouring in from Test playing nations, they may be in a position to lift the standard of the game there.

Weather is another factor which doesn’t allow cricket to be played round in the year in Canada. The cricket administrators in Canada, with the support of the ICC, should bring in their organizational and management skills into play to promote the game further.

131 Andy Flower

Andy Flower, easily the greatest batsman to be produced by Zimbabwe, announced his retirement from international cricket during World Cup 2003. He could have gone on to play for quite a few years but the decision to quit was final.

“For the last 13 years it has been an honour and a privilege to present my country. The decision to bring my international career to an end has been a difficult and sad one to make,” the champion batsman said in a statement issued during his final match, a Super Six fixture against Sri Lanka at the Buffalo Park, East London.

“However, it’s not time for my family and I to move on perhaps in the year to come, I will be able to play a role in the cricketing fortunes of Zimbabwe. To all Zimbabweans who have supported me from my debut until today I want to say thank you,” Flower remarked while making the announcement.

132 133 Flower and teammates Henry Olonga had earned worldwide recognition when they donned black armbands in Zimbabwe’s opening World Cup match against Namibia in Harare as a mark of protest against their government.

134 It was indeed a controversial act and there was intense pressure on both these cricketers to abandon the anti-government stance. Flower in particular was persuaded not to mix politics with cricket but he refused to do so. The Zimbabwean cricket authorities considered the option of dropping him from the squad but did not go ahead with their plans of axing him.

It went to the credit of Flower that he continued to perform well despite the controversies off the field. He turned out to be Zimbabwe’s best player of the tournament yet again, aggregating no less than 332 runs in eight matches at an impressive average of 47.42.

He was Zimbabwe’s leading scorer in the tournament and seventh overall. Only Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Herschelle Gibbs and Marvan Atapattu scored more runs than him in the tournament. And five of them had played at least two more matches than him.

The elegant left-hander played a lead role in the taking Zimbabwe to Super Six from a group which was indeed mightier than the other one.

Advancing to Super Six ahead of Pakistan and England was no mean achievement. England had to pay the price of forfeiting their match to Zimbabwe which certainly helped the cause of the African nation to advance to the Super Six.

Zimbabwe began their campaign in the World Cup with a game against minnows Namibia at the Harare Sports Club, Harare. Opener Craig Wishart stole the limelight by scoring 172 not out as Andy Flower missed out against the debutants. The left-hander was looking set for a big score when he was dismissed by the occasional leg-spinner Jan Burger for 39 off 29 balls.

The rejuvenated Indians proved too formidable for hosts Zimbabwe at the same venue. The match was in India’s grasp as soon as they had got rid of the dangerous Flowers for 22, while defending a target of 256. He was the man who was capable of turning it around having done it

135 so many times against India. The delight on the faces of the Indians at the dismissals of Flower said it all.

In another tough game against Australia, at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, it was Flower who came out trumps. He top scored with 62 as his side managed to put up a fighting total of 246 in the allotted 50 overs. It was the highest score against the eventual champions during the course of the tournament. That the Aussies still managed to romp home in style was another matter.

There was no stopping Flower when the Netherlands took them on at the same venue. A typically fluent run-a-ball 71 from the master batsman helped Zimbabwe post another 300 plus total which was more than adequate against the inexperienced Dutch side.

In Zimbabwe’s opening Super Six game at the Good Year Park, Bloemfontein, Flower was run out for 37 against New Zealand. The big hitting from Heath Streak and Sean Ervine in the final overs did lift their total substantially but they could not defend it successfully.

There was disaster for Zimbabwe in their next outing which was at the same venue. Despite a battling 63 by the ever-dependable Flower, the Kenyans managed to bowl Zimbabwe out for 123. The rampant Kenyans needed just 26 overs to reach their target and cause yet another upset.

After having lost both their earlier Super Six matches, Zimbabwe didn’t have a chance of entering the semifinals even if they overcame Sri Lanka at the Buffalo Park, East London. A Zimbabwean victory would have only helped the New Zealand cause, however.

The match had assumed greater significance because it was going to be Flower’s final international appearance for Zimbabwe.

He was given a standing ovation by the crowd as he came in to bat at number four. He contributed 38 off 51 balls before being adjudged lbw.

With his dismissal vanished all hopes of Zimbabwe’s victory and

136 Sri Lanka triumphed quite comfortably in the end. Ideally he would have liked to finish his career on a winning note but the architect of numerous Zimbabwean victories in the recent past could not fulfill his final ambition.

And with his retirement ended a golden chapter of the Zimbabwean cricket. He had batted so consistently over the years against the highest quality of bowlers. He was one batsman who was quite comfortable in playing long innings.

With the kind of infrastructure in their home country and the limited resources, it’s unlikely that Zimbabwe would be able to produce a batsman of his calibre over the next many years.

He was undoubtedly one of the greatest batsmen of the modern era. He deserved greater accolades for having scored heavily despite negligible support at the other end.

He was a master at playing both ends. He had saved the day for Zimbabwe on so many occasions against the toughest of opponents.

Most unfortunately from Zimbabwe’s point of view, he has left them during the peak of his career. The vacuum to be created by his absence is unlikely to be filled for the next many years.

137 Collins Obuya

In the presence of South Africa, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, West Indies and even Bangladesh, Kenya were not expected to advance to the Super Six. But they went higher and higher. They upset all odds by making it to the semifinals of the World Cup 2003. It was dream come true stuff from the Kenyans.

It would be unfair to take any credit away from them. The manner in which they played, they deserved to be in the semifinals. They defeated as many as three Test playing nations, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. They became the first non-Test playing country to have reached the last four of the World Cup.

Kenya did not even have an official sponsors in the World Cup 2003. Although they had shocked the unpredictable Indians more than once, they didn’t possess the credentials to impress when they prepared for the big event taking place in their own continent.

The Kenyans cricketers had to endure all sorts of difficulties in pursuing their career in the sport. But quite notably they did not lose heart and kept trying. Even in the absence of serious competition in the country and little motivation to play the game, their cricketers showed faith in their abilities.

The Kenyan tigers roared in the World Cup 2003 and there were some spectacular individual performances from their side. While all others

138 139 contributed their bit, it was the leg-spin of Collins Obuya which proved decisive in turning things around for them.

The tall leg-spinner was the most successful Kenyan bowler, capturing 13 wickets at an average of 28.76 in nine matches. His economy rate was a touch high, 4.80 to be exact. After the great MutiahMuralitharan, he had the highest number of wickets among the spinners in the tournament, which was quite an achievement itself.

Kenya were off to a nightmarish start to the tournament when they were humbled by 10wickets by neighboring South Africa in their tournament which was quite an achievement itself.

Kenya was off to a nightmarish start to the tournament when they were humbled by 10 wickets by neighboring South Africa in their opening game at the North West Cricket Stadium, Potchefstroom.

Obuya did bowl one maiden over but went for 32 runs in his other four as the pair of Herschelle Gibbs and Gary Kirsten blasted the Kenyan attack while chasing a modest total.

Things improved for Obuya as well as Kenya as the tournament progressed. Canada, who had rather sensationally outwitted Bangladesh in their first game, were brought to earth by Kenya in the day-nighter at the Newlands, Cape Town.

Obuya remained a

140 mystery for the puzzled Canadian batsmen, who had negligible experience of handling quality spin bowling. He had the figures of two for 46 in his quota of 10 overs. Canada were bowled out for 197 and Kenya reached the target in the penultimate over.

Obuya came into prominence with his magnificent performance against Sri Lanka at the Gymkhana Club Ground, Nairobi. His terrific five-

141 wicket haul enabled Kenya to shock the 1996 champions. The Sri Lankans, used to handling the spin bowlers with precision, were undone by Obuya.

Kenya had not installed a challenging total and the target of 211 was unlikely to frighten the master blasters. But Obuya, who had taken only nine wickets in his previous 18 One-day Internationals at a costly average of 78.22, ripped through the mighty Sri Lankan batting line-up.

In 10 overs the leg-spinner gave away only 24 runs but more importantly he picked up five wickets which changed the course of the match. From 71 for two, Sri Lanka crashed to 157 all out. Obuya was the obvious choice for the Man of the Match award. The victory over Sri Lanka not only boosted Kenya’s morale in a big way but it also made them realize that they could go beyond the first round.

Kenya did what the doctors had ordered for them when they prevailed over listless Bangladesh at the new Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. The 32- run victory put them in the Super Six stage, a place they thoroughly deserved to be in after three victories in four outings.

Obuya contributed his bit with bat as well as the bell in this crucial game. He scored a superb 22 off 21 balls to lift the Kenyan total to 217 in 50 overs. Then

142 he bowled a tight nine-over spell claiming one wicket for 40 runs as Bangladesh were bowled out for 185.

He was still impressive when the West Indians, out of the competition already, bulldozed Kenya at the De Beers Diamond Oval, Kimberly. The result for the match did not make any difference in the final count as Kenya had booked their place for the Super Six.

As Kenya had carried forward eight points to the Super Six, they had to win only one of the three matches to storm in to the semifinals.

Obuya got the prized scalp of the Indian vice-captain Rahul Dravid but it was not enough for Kenya to defend the fighting total of 226 at the Newlands, Cape Town.

It was a different story at the Goodyear Park, Bloemfontein, where Kenya hammered Zimbabwe by seven wickets to enter the semifinals in style. Obuya played the lead role in his team’s success once more. He destroyed the Zimbabwe middle-order with the figures of three for 32 off 10 overs.

Zimbabwe had very little chance of making a match of it after getting bundled out for 133. The Kenyans did lose three wickets but they finished it off in just 26 overs.

Kenya came up with creditable performance even against the mighty Australia at the Kingsmead, Durban, but it was veteran left-arm spinner Asif Karim, not young leg-spinner Obuya, who stole the limelight. The youngster was hammered all over the park on what was certainly a forgettable night for him.

The Indians having the ammunition for blasting the greatest of spin bowlers, did not accord much respect to Obuya either in the semifinals at the Kingsmead, Durban, where Sachin Tendulkar and SouravGanguly batted Kenya out of the match. Obuya was hit for 40 runs in his six overs as Kenya bowed out of the competition finally.

143 Javagal Srinath

JavagalSrinath, a lion-hearted fast bowler, may not have even played the World Cup 2003. There was many apprehensions in his own mind and many of those around him. There had been a question mark about his future many months before the start of the tournament. More than his form it was his fitness which caused concern.

144 Srinath was finally included in the Indian squad for the World Cup at the behest of skipper Sourav Ganguly. And what a great contribution the speedster made in what turned out to be his final international tournament. He emerged as one of the leading bowlers of the World Cup 2003.

Ganguly’s confidence in Srinath was justified and the captain was full of praise for his fast bowlers. He particularly eulogized Srinath, who had come out of retirement to grab 16 wickets in 11 matches.

145 “I wanted him to play in the World Cup since I knew he could contribute with his experience. He did not let me down,” Ganguly was quoted as saying.

Although the Indian captain had left it to the seasoned fast bowler, after the World Cup, to decide whether he wanted to continue or retire there certainly was a message between the lines that Srinath was welcome to play for the country if he was willing to do so.

After his magnificent performance in the World Cup, it was being anticipated that Srinath would be considering a possible extension to his career because there was surely a place for him in the Indian eleven when the team had returned from South Africa. Frustrated by injuries he decided to call it a day instead.

So Srinath bowed out of international cricket in style. With 16 scalps, he was the second highest Indian wicket-taker in the World Cup 2003.

Only his new ball partner, Zaheer Khan, got higher wickets than him for India. He took 16 wickets at an average of 23.06 while his economy rate was 4.04. Both these figures suffered immensely after the stick he received at the hands of the Australians in the final.

It was the World Cup number four for Srinath. He had earlier represented India in the World Cup in 1992, 1996 and 1999. It was his experience of international cricket, as Ganguly pointed out, which came handy in South Africa in 2003.

146 The 33-year old Srinath, bowling with immaculate line and length, started the tournament with a bang. He made most of the double paced Boland Park pitch against the inexperienced Dutch side. He recorded the figures of four for 30, claiming his 300th wickets in One day Internationals in the process.

Srinath could have had better figures than none for 26 off four overs, had India bowled instead of batting first in the high profile league match against Australia at the lively Super Sport Park strip.

He demonstrated his prowess in the next game which was against Zimbabwe. The pitch was slow and the Indian did not post a huge total. But Srinath put India on course of victory by dismissing both the openers in his opening spell. His eight overs yielded only 14 runs and India wrapped up the game quite comfortable in the end.

India, by hammering 311 runs had batted Namibia out of the match before taking the field. There was not much urgency in the Indian camp when they came on to bowl and the non-regular bowlers completed the job rather leisurely. Srinath bowled half a dozen tidy over which the Namibians were happy to play out.

While it was the turn of young left-armer Ashish Nehra to steal the show at the Kingsmead, Durban, the veteran Srinath also played his role in helping India defeat England by a decisive margin. He had bowled a superb opening spell which brought England under immense pressure. It was in the fitness of things that Srinath finished the game by claiming the wicket of the big hitting Andrew Flintoff. He returned the respectable figures of one for 37 from 10 overs in this crucial game.

Srinath rose to the occasion yet again when India were pitted against Pakistan. He controlled his line and length incredibly well in the high- voltage atmosphere, which did not allow the Pakistan batters to get on top of him. He conceded only 41 runs in his 10 overs which was quite commendable performance in what turned out to be a high-scoring affair. He also got the prized scalp of Yousuf Youhanna.

147 148 Srinath was equal to the task in the Super Six fixture against Kenya while he was at his deadliest in the next game against Sri Lanka. The mercurial speed merchant broke the back of the Sri Lankan batting line- up, capturing four of the first five wickets.

Moving the ball appreciably at a lively pace, he dismissed three of the four batsmen for ducks. It must have been one of the greatest spells of his illustrious career.

Young Zaheer emulated his senior new ball partner by grabbing four wickets in the next Super Six game against New Zealand. Srinath complimented his left armers, giving away only 20 runs in 10 overs and taking the key wicket of skipper Stephen Fleming.

Kenya had no answer to the brilliance of Srinath as they faltered while chasing 271 in the semifinals. Opener Kennedy Otieno had topscored in Kenya’s Super Six meeting with India. This time Srinath removed him in his opening spell.

There were very high hopes from the Indian pace trio when they took the field against Australia in the final. But Srinath, like Zaheer, was unable to deliver and India’s dream of winning the World Cup again was shattered.

Unable to put his acts together rather surprisingly, Srinath had a nightmarish day in the field on what turned out to be his last appearance and eventually his final day in international cricket.

Srinath would have ideally wanted to finish on a high note. He had been instrumental in taking his team to the final but he somehow could not settle down in the big encounter. It was neither a question of temperament nor the lack of big match experience. In the past, he had delivered on so many occasions when his team needed.

He, however, could not finish the tournament in style. But he definitely had the satisfaction of being highly successful in his last tournament and his performance helped his team in going all the way into the final.

149 Jan Burger

Namibia, an associate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) since 1992, had qualified for the World Cup 2003 by virtue of being the runners-up in the ICC Trophy 2001 staged in Canada. They were also the Plate winners of the ICC Trophy 1997.

Namibia were the only nation to have made their world Cup debut in 2003. Canada and the Netherlands had also made it to the tournament on the basis of their performance in the ICC Trophy 2001 but these two countries did have prior World Cup experience.

The Namibian cricketers had learnt a lot about the game by competing in the Standard Bank League, South Africa’s premier one-day competition. Their South African experience came handy in the World

150 151 Cup and the debutants did show flashes of brilliance in their maiden appearance at the international level.

Not unexpectedly, the African nation remained winless in the competition but they had their moments of elation in the high profile event.

Although skipper DoenKotze, Daniel Keulder, Lennie Luow, Burton van Rooi, Rudi van Vuuren and Riaan Walters were considered the star players in their squad before the start of the tournament, it was the young and promising Andries Johannes Burger, who is also known as Jan Berrie Burger, who turned out to be Namibian’s most successful player on their debut in the international cricketing arena.

The 21 year old all-rounder had the distinction of topping Namibia’s batting as well as bowling averages. Born at Newcastle in South Africa, he showed enormous talent as a right-handed batsman and a leg-break bowler.

He aggregated 199 runs in the tournament at an average of 33.18. His strike rate of 100.50 was outstanding by all means. He claimed only three wickets but they cost him less than any of his teammates during the competition.

Burger’s first wicket in One-day International was that of Zimbabwe’s premier batsman Andy Flower in what was Namibia’s first-ever appearance in international cricket at the Harare Sports Club.

He had done his team a huge favour by dislodging the dangerous Andy Flower but the Zimbabwe duo to Craig Wishart and Grant Flower hammered the Namibians to all parts of the ground during their unbroken third wicket stand of 166 which lifted the total to 340.

Namibia had virtually no chance of amassing such a huge score. Their only hope of saving the game was the inclement weather but unfortunately from their point of view the 25 overs of their innings had just been completed when the play was halted.

152 There was opportunity, however, for Burger to demonstrate his prowess. Batting at number three, he scored 26 off just 18 balls, hammering one towering six and three fours. He announced his arrival by having lofted the Zimbabwe captain Health Streak for a huge six over extra cover. It was quite an impressive performance from someone making his debut.

Namibia crossed over to South Africa to take on Pakistan at the De Beers Diamond Oval, Kimberley. It was quite an achievement on part of the Namibians to have restricted Pakistan to 255 on a perfect batting track. Burger claimed the scalp of opener Saleem Elahi, who was in the process of anchoring the innings during his four-over spell.

More than his bowling it was the courage and the fortitude he showed while coping with the dreaded pace duo of WasimAkram and Shoaib Akhtar, who had reduced Namibia to 42 for nine, which merited appreciation.

Although the Namibians were comprehensively outplayed by Pakistan in the end, they displayed greater resilience in their next game against England at the St. Gregory’s Park, Port Elizabeth. And the man who

153 played the lead role in frightening England was none other than Burger.

He got the key wicket of opener Marcus Trescothick, as England were bowled out for a not too formidable 272. Opening the innings, he blasted 85 off 86 balls to keep the contest alive.

With the rain clouds threatening, Namibia were ahead on D/L method but his dismissal in the 29th over changed the course of the proceeding. England seized the initiative afterwards but the Man of the Match award went to Burger.

Rather surprisingly he was not given a bowl when Sachin Tendulkar and SouravGanguly massacred the Namibians at the City Oval, Pietermaritzburg. Scoring 312 to win the game was always going to a very tall order and with the dismissal of Burger the contest was virtually over. He scored a quickfire 29 off 30 balls to remain his team’s topscorer yet again.

He bowled four overs without taking any wicket as Australia posted a huge total of 301 at the North West Cricket Stadium, Potchefstroom. He struck a boundary before falling in the opening over which pushed the Namibians to the wall. As it turned out, Namibia had to suffer the heaviest defeat in the history of One-day Internationals against the mighty Australians.

Namibia could not recover in time when they went out to play the Netherlands at the Goodyear Park, Bloemfontein. It was their best chance of recording a World Cup victory. The person, who held the key to the match as far as Namibia was concerned, was none other Burger.

Namibia had conceded a total in the excess of 300 yet again but unlike the previous two matches, which are against the eventual finalists they had a realistic hope of achieving the target. They were given a flying start by Burger but the Dutch regained control once the dangerman was dismissed for 41 off 42 balls.

After a successful World Cup from his personal point of view, Burger

154 was hopeful of a career in cricket after getting the degree in Human Resources Management.

“I would definitely like to make a career out of cricket that is in the forefront of my mind. If I perform well, then there may be opportunities. But at the moment, I am going to concentrate on my studies and we will wait and see what happens from there,” the young all-rounder was quoted as saying.

“The World Cup matches have been the highlight of my life, with the one against England the biggest highlight of all. That innings against them is my foremost memory of the tournament but facing WasimAkram, who is probably the best bowler of all time, was also brilliant.” Burger had remarked about his experiences in the tournament.

155 Tim de Leede

The Netherlands, by having clinched the ICC Trophy 2001 in Toronto, Canada, earned the right to reappear in the World Cup in 2003. They had made their debut in the World Cup in 1996 when the event was hosted in the Indo-Pak sub-continent.

The Netherlands certainly performed better in the World Cup 2003 than what they had one while making their debut eight seasons ago. Their improved performance suggested that they do have the potential to rise in the year to come.

Although Klass-Jan van Noortwijk and Fieko Kloppenburg had hammered centuries for the Netherlands in the World Cup 2003, the most consistent Dutch performer during the tournament was the veteran all-rounder Tim de Leede.

Having represented the country in the World Cup 1996 as well, de Leede captured no less than 11 wickets with his medium pace bowling

156 157 at a rather respectable average of 23.00 he was the leading wicket taker for his country in the World Cup 2003. He also contributed 98 runs with the bat, which kept him at the fourth place in the Dutch batting averages.

De Leede was declared the Man of the Match in his country’s opening tie of the competition which was against India, the eventual finalists, at the Boland Bank Park, Paarl. He had the satisfaction of returning the excellent figures of four for 35 off 9.5 over against arguably the best batting side in the competition.

Although the majority of the high-class Indian batsmen were short of runs and short of confidence after the dismal tour for New Zealand on the eve of the World Cup, it was quite remarkable on part of the Dutch bowlers, particularly de Leede, for having tested and contained them.

158 There was no easy pricking for the Indians against the Netherlands whose bowlers stuck to their line and did not allow the batsmen to dominate them. Bowling India out for 204 was quite an achievement.

That the inexperienced Dutch batting could not come near the Indian total was hardly a surprise. De Leede had every reason to celebrate the award which came his way in the presence of quite a few great cricketers in the opponents’ line-up.

The Netherlands were beaten but no disgraced by England in their next game at the Buffalo Park, East London. It was de Leede once again who was the star of his side and must have come very close to being nominated the Man of the Match in the losing cause for second successive time.

It was his turn to demonstrate his batting prowess against England. He held the Netherlands innings together with a gritty unbeaten 58 off 96 balls after his side had slumped to 31 for five. His innings raised the total to 142 but more importantly the Dutch batsmen succeeded in playing out their quota of 50 overs.

It went to the credit of the Dutch bowlers that they did not let England

159 run away with it. Four top order wicket went down in the pursuit of 143 runs and the Netherlands had reasons not to feel disconsolate despite losing the match by six wickets.

De Leede was equally impressive with bat and ball against the mighty Australian at the North West Cricket Stadium, Potchefstroom. The figures of two for 34 off seven overs in a 36-over game against the Aussies would have made any bowler of the world proud.

He was instrumental in limiting the Australians to 170 in the allotted 36 overs. He topscored with 24 in his team’s total of 122, which was considerably short of what was required to stun the world champions.

The Netherlands did not let Pakistan win easily either at the Boland Bank Park, Paarl. With de Leede capturing the key wickets of Saeed Anwer and Inzamam-ul-Haq, Pakistan had to battle hard to reach the eventual total of 253.

The Dutch top-order was rocked by the Pakistan speedsters and the later order batsmen did not possess the abilities to push the rate of scoring. The match would have become closer had de Leede batted a little longer. He was foxed by off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq after scoring 15 as his side was routed for 158.

After having performed splendidly against the four fancied teams in the Group A, he could not contribute significantly against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. He did get a couple of wickets but he proved expensive going for 69 runs in seven overs as the Zimbabwean total went past 300.

Compared to their earlier matches, the Netherlands had better start to their innings while chasing 302 in 50 overs. But the failure of de Leede in the middle order derailed their efforts and they lost by 99 runs despite crossing he mark of 200 for the first time in the competition.

With five tough matches gone, the Netherlands had to take on Namibia at the Goodyear Park, Bloemfontein, in what was going to be their final

160 outing in the tournament. They must have recognized that it was their best chance of recording their maiden victory in the World Cup or the One day Internationals.

It was going to be a replay of the ICC Trophy 2001 final. Namibia also had some valid reasons to fancy their own chances of registering their first-ever win international cricket.

In the context of the World Cup 2003 the match between the Netherlands and Namibia was of an academic interest as both the team had suffered too many defeats in their earlier matches. But the match was of immense significance to the two contestants. Both of them were on the verge of making history.

The Netherlands mad the first use of the strip and the massive 228-run second wicket partnership between Klass Jan van Noortwijk and Fieko Kloppenburg put them in a commanding position. Tim de Leede perished for a golden duck in pursuit of quick runs but his teammates made up for his early dismissal and the total went past the magical figure of 300.

Namibia came up with a befitting reply while chasing a monumental 315. It was de Leede’s economical spell which allowed the Dutch to pull it back. He conceded only 33 runs in eight overs, having picked up a wicket as well. His fine bowling pushed the asking rate beyond Namibia’s reach and the Netherlands duly completed their historic 64-run victory.

161 Ashish Nehra

Ashish Nehra, the lanky left-arm fast bowler, was not played in India’s first couple of games in the World Cup 2003. As the Indians relied heavily on the tried and tested spin duo Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, there was no place for a third quickie.

With Zaheer Khan and Javagal Srinath to share the two fast bowling positions, Nehra did not figure in India’s initial game plan. Accordingly he was made to sit out in India’s first two games which were against the Netherlands and Australia.

162 163 Although India had managed to overpower the lowly rated Dutch side, they had been massacred by the Aussies in the following game. The Indians were in a hopeless position and they needed rethink their strategy for the rest of the tournament.

The India think-thank realized the gravity of the situation and they made changes in their plans for their third game, which was against Zimbabwe. One of the most significant decision made on the eve of this crucial tie was to replace one of the spinners with a fast bowler.

Although it was a slowish wicket at the Harare Sports Club, the decision to play Nehra in place of Kumble paid dividends. In the context of the tournament this was a key decision because Nehra justified the confidence reposed in him by his impressive bowling performance in the remaining matches.

It was amazing to note that Nehra, who was not a part of the original Indian bowling line-up picked up no less than 15 wickets in nine matches.

164 In fact he finished with better bowling averages than Zaheer and Srinath.

The injury-prone Nehra claimed 15 wickets at 19.26 and his economy rate of 4.17 was equally impressive. He could have captured many more wickets had he not missed the first couple of games and he didn’t break down in his very first over of the match against Namibia. He had gone wicketless in the final. It meant that he had actually snared 15 wickets in seven matches, which was an outstanding achievement by all means.

So after having watched the action from the sidelines in the earlier two games, Nehra finally made his entry in the World Cup at the Harare Sports Club. The pressure was on the Indian bowlers because the home side was not chasing a formidable total. Zaheer and Srinath had done the job in their opening spells but the task for Nehra, coming in as first change, was to keep it tight.

It was never going to be easy for someone playing his first game of tournament to put the ball in the right places from the word go. As Zaheer and Srinath had kept the rate of scoring in check, the Zimbabwe started taking liberties against Nehra.

It went to the credit of the young left-arm fast bowler that he did not let the pressure go to his head. He was cool and composed, bowling according to the field. He gave away 35 runs in his seven overs and did not allow the home side to get on top his bowling.

165 166 Nehra was terribly unfortunate to have missed out on the opportunity of getting some cheap wickets against Namibia who chasing a daunting target of 312. He limped off the field after slipping on his delivery stride with his very first ball of the match.

Thankfully, the injury was not serious but skipper Sourav Ganguly made the right decision of sending him back to the change room for the rest of the day so that the injury was not aggravated.

Nehra was not fully fit, reporting pain from a sprained left ankle, but he was included in the playing eleven when India took on England. It was a bold decision by the Indian team management, who did anticipate considerable movement in the Kingsmead wicket.

Batting first, India posted a total of 250. It wasn’t too big a target for the experienced England batting line- up. Once more India needed its bowlers to pull it back for them. Zaheer and Srinath bowled with a lot of aggression in their opening spells but the match was still wide open as the target was not a big one.

It was Nehra’s record- breaking feat which destructed England. His career-best figures of six for 23 buried

167 Ashish Nehra

168 England under the lights. It was extraordinary exhibition of swing bowling. He darted the ball around and was simply unplayable.

Nehra had come into bowl as the first change, with his ankle heavily strapped. He started the England slide by having skipper Nasser Hussain caught behind. His next delivery cut back sharply and Alec Stewart was gone for a golden duck. Michael Vaughan was then caught at the wicket and England had crashed to 62 for five.

He continued to mesmerize the England batsmen and accounted for Paul Collingwood, Craig White and Ronnie Irani to make then 107 for eight. Nehra had never taken more than three wickets in a One day International before but he got as many six at the Kingsmead to register the best bowling figures by an Indian in the World Cup history.

After bowling India to a comprehensive victory over England, Nehra turned out to be India’s most expensive bowler in the game against Pakistan. But he did have the pleasure of capturing the wickets of the centurion Saeed Anwar and the flamboyant Abdul Razzaq.

Nehra went wicketless in the Super Six tie against Kenya but gave away only 30 runs in his quota of 10 overs. He was devastating against Sri Lanka in the next game, returning the figures of four for 35 as India triumphed by 183 runs.

He conceded only 35 runs in 10 overs while claiming the scalp of Scott Styris in the game against New Zealand. He had a brief spell in the semifinal against Kenya, having the figures of two for 11 off five overs.

The final was a forgettable event for the Indian fast bowlers but Nehra was the least expensive of the trio. As the Indians came under the Australian hammer, Srinath conceded 87 runs in his 10 overs and Zaheer was hit for 67 in his seven. Nehra escaped that kind of punishment, giving away just 57 runs in his 10 overs.

169 James Anderson

England had a horrible World Cup in 2003. They had quite a few bits and pieces cricketers in their line-up, who possessed vast experience of limited-overs cricket. They didn’t have too many specialists but their part timers had the ability of coming good in the shorter version of the game.

Nasser Hussain’s side had youth as well experience. They had fared reasonably well in the matches leading up to the World Cup and England

170 171 were supposed to be one of the more serious contenders for a place in the second round.

History was on England’s side as well. Because only once in the past, England had not been able to advance beyond the first round. It was only in 1999, ironically on their own soil, when they had perished in the opening round. Now it’s two times out of two when they have fallen apart in the first round.

England, placed in the tougher of two Groups, had to pay price of politics in the World Cup 2003. In a tournament where every point mattered, they made a suicidal decision of forfeiting the game against Zimbabwe.

It was not cricket but politics which robbed England of possible points. More importantly it also denied the England cricketers the opportunity of playing themselves in for the more important matches ahead.

While England had a forgettable World Cup, James Anderson made most of the opportunities that came his way during the course of the tournament. The 20-year-old genuinely quick speed merchant from Lancashire turned out to be England’s best bowler in the competition, claiming 10 wickets at an average of 22.50.

Having made his international debut just three months before the World Cup 2003, he succeeded in establishing himself as England’s strike bowler during the big event. He bowled exceptionally well in trying conditions.

Anderson’s World Cup debut was delayed by one match because of England’s refusal to play their opening match against Zimbabwe. And when he finally got a chance, he grabbed it with both hands. He took four wickets for 25 runs against the Netherlands which was the best bowling performance by an Englishman for 20 years.

The Netherlands was put into bat by the England captain at the Buffalo Park in East London. Anderson made most of the opportunity of

172 attacking the inexperienced Dutch batsmen with the new ball on a fresh pitch.

He started the Dutch slide by having Daan van Bunge caught in the gully in his third over then he trapped the other opener, Lunk van Troost, lbw with a beauty. Bas Zuiderent, a professional having played

173 James Anderson

174 for Sussex, tried to loft Anderson over the top but succeeded only in lobbing a simple catch to Naseer Hussain at mid-off.

And just a couple of balls later Klas Jan van Noortwijk attempted a leg glance but he was unable to keep it clear to wicket-keeper Alec Stewart. It had reduced the Netherlands to 31 for four in the 16th over and all the four wickets were captured by Anderson.

The Netherlands did not have the depth in their batting to recover from the shock of losing the four early wickets and they could manage just 142 in their allotted 50 overs despite the reargued action from Tim de Leede, who remained undefeated on 58. England struggled to reach the target but they got it with nearly 27 overs to spare.

After claiming just one wicket in the game against Namibia, Anderson stole the show against Pakistan at the Newlands, Cape Town, to clinch his second Man of the Match award in his only third outing of the competition.

Bowling briskly under the floodlights, he broke the back of the Pakistan batting with his splendid opening spell which fetched him four top- order wickets. His haul of four for 29 runs was enough to earn England a convincing win in a crucial match for both the teams.

Electing to bat first, after winning the toss, England had struggled to reach 246 for eight in the allotted 50 overs. It wasn’t the kind of score which could have brought the experienced Pakistan batting line-up under much pressure on a pitch where the ball had not done much in the earlier part of the day.

England needed early wickets to make a match of it. Anderson was handed over the new ball with Andrew Caddick. The first blood was drawn by Caddick but it was Anderson who jolted Pakistan by picking up wickets on successive deliveries of his second over, the fourth of the innings.

After removing Inzamam-ul-Haq for a golden duck, Anderson castled Yousuf Youhana with a perfect yorker the very next ball. Inzamam and

175 Yousuf Youhana were the two most reliable batsmen in the Pakistan batting line-up and their dismissal on successive deliveries opened floodgates.

Anderson continued his sensational spell, accounting for the well-set opener Saeed Anwar and the dangerous wicketkeeper-batsman Rashid Latif. It was quite extraordinary that three of the four batsmen he dismissed went without scoring. He was bowling so well that the batsmen found difficult to settle down. And before they could open their account, Anderson produced the wicket taking deliveries.

It was magnificent effort from the little known medium pacer in a crucial match. The issue had been settled by his devastating spell. Shoaib Akhtar’s heroics with the bat late in the innings only delayed the inevitable apart from providing some entertainment for the crowd who had reached the Newlands in anticipation of a close match.

Anderson discovered that the Indian batsmen had done their homework while tackling him at the Kingsmead, Durban. He remained wicketless in his opening spell and his only victim in the entire match was left- hander Yuvraj Singh.

He was taken for 61 runs in his 10 overs as the Indians totaled 250 in the stipulated 50 overs. With Ashish Nehra producing a magical spell under floodlights, England were beaten neck and crop.

The inexperienced Anderson had equally rough time against the mighty Australia in what turned out to be England’s last appearance in the tournament. He went for just too many runs in a low-scoring tie which was won by the Aussies.

176 Shane Bond

New Zealand, in the recent past, have performed quite creditably at times but they have not been able to do it consistently to be regarded as one of the top of the world. They have had the services of numerous utility cricketers but they have not produced too many star performers over the years.

177 178 The selection policy of New Zealand has not been all that consistent either which was not helped their cause at all. They have relied heavily on their bits and pieces cricketers instead of concentrating on the development of a team of high-quality players.

Shane Bond is one of the very few New Zealanders to rise from the category of ordinary international players. He is a genuine fast bowler who on his day can devastate any batting line-up of the world. One of the quickest bowlers around, he has been impressive all along eversince making his international debut on the Australian tour of 2001-02.

He lived upto the reputation in the World Cup 2003. He was certainly one of stars of the tournament. His wonderful bowling helped New Zealand force their way into the Super Six. Had Bond received support from the other end, the Black Caps could have easily reached the semifinals.

Along with Mutiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka, Bond was the joint fifth highest wicket-taker in the competition with a tally of 17 scalps. Only ChamindaVaas, Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath and Zaheer Khan captured higher number of wickets than him.

Bond deserved greater admiration because he claimed 17 wickets in lesser matches than the quartet ahead of him.Muralitharan. Vaas and Lee played 10 matches each for their haul of 23 and 22 wickets respectively while McGrath and Zaheer ended up with 21 and 18 wickets respectively after bowling in 11 matches each. Muralitharan got his 17 wickets from 10 matches while Bond was able to claim as many scalps from only eight games.

In the list of averages, Bond took eighth place. He had conceded 305 runs for his 17 wickets which gave him an average of 17.94. His economy rate in the tournament was under four, which was another remarkable achievement.

Bond had started the tournament on an impressive note, chipping in with two cheap wickets for 44 runs in 10 overs against the strong

179 180 Sri Lankan batting line-up at the Goodyear, Park Bloemfontein. He had removed the dangerous MarvanAtapattu in his opening spell and then returned to uproot the stumps of Russel Arnold in the death overs.

While the Black Caps had lost to Sri Lanka in their opening game, Bond’s fine spell earned them a well-deserved win over the West Indies at the St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth. With his thunderbolts he kept the West Indian batsman on the backfoot. He created the pressure and his colleagues were able to make most of it this time around.

The South Africans were in rampant mood at the New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, and all the New Zealand bowlers were hit all over the park. Bond did capture a wicket in his opening spell but he was taken for as many as 73 runs in his 10 overs as the hosts posted a mammoth 306 in 50 overs.

But the disappointment of Bond and other New Zealand bowlers was soon forgotten when skipper Stephen Fleming steered them to a victory against all odds.

181 182 The Black Caps boycotted the game against Kenya before taking on Bangladesh at the De Beers Diamond Oval, Kimberley. Bond was too hot to handle for the Bangladeshi batsmen who were not in the best of form either.

He returned the figures of three for 33 off 10 overs which restricted Bangladesh to a total below 200. The New Zealand batsmen finished the job in style, reaching the target with as many as 16.3 overs remaining.

Bond played his part in New Zealand’s emphatic win over Canada at the Willowmoore Park, Benoni. He took three wickets for 29 runs in 10 overs, three of which were maidens. Canada were also contained below 200 and this time the target was achieved in just 23 overs. The New Zealanders had to go for quick runs in order to improve their run rate for squeezing into the Super Six. They did achieve their objective.

Bond, rather surprisingly, went wicket less in the opening Super Six game against Zimbabwe at the Goodyear Park, Bloemfontein, but his economical bowling kept the batsmen under pressure. It was only the extraordinary late hitting which took the Zimbabwe total past 250. The Black Caps romped home with NathanAstlescoring an unbeaten century.

It was another do or die match for New Zealand when they were confronted by unbeaten Australia at the St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth.

It was the big occasion and the man New Zealand looked forward to was none other than Bond, who had tested the Aussies in their own backyard only the other season.

Bond did deliver. His figures of six for 23 off 10 overs broke the back of the Australian batting. He claimed the wickets of Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting in his opening burst of six overs. Then he returned to remove Damien Martyn, Brad Hogg and Ian Harvey in a second spell of three for three in four overs.

He had the defending champions reeling at 84 for seven. But he had run out of overs. Skipper Fleming had gambled by letting him complete

183 184 his quota of overs with 21 overs still to be bowled in the Australian innings.

It was an unfamiliar sight for Australia having lost their seven wickets for just 84 runs on the board. With Bond unable to bowl, the pair of Michael Bevan and Andy Bichel had little problems in milking runs against the other bowlers.

The Australian total went past 200 and New Zealand were then bowled out for 112. The match was won comprehensively by Australia but the Man of the Match award was presented to Bond for his fantastic bowling.

Bond did show his class against India as well at the Super Sport Park, Centurion. Defending a modest total of 146, Bond had given his team a glimmer of hope by accounting for VirenderSehwag and SouravGanguly in his first two overs.

He also unsettled Muhammad Kaif and Rahul Dravid but the Black Caps were unable to break the partnership and it was all over for them in the tournament.

185 The Author

Khalid’s sporting career began at Cadet College Petaro where he played basketball, cricket, hockey, squash and table tennis. He turned out to be a successful captain of cricket club in Karachi.

Flexibility was the name of game for him as he batted at every position from one to eleven as the situation demanded. A firm believer of leading by example, his consistent all-round performance inspired his team to win a high percentage of matches.

He started contributing to The Cricketer Pakistan and Cricket World Quarterly in 1980. The same year he, alongwith his childhood friend Ali Rizwan, introduced the method of detailed cricket scoring in Pakistan and their scorecards were published in leading magazines of the country.

The Pakistan Cricket Board, then the Board of Control for cricket in Pakistan (BCCP), acquired Khalid’s services as official scorer during the 1982-83 season.

In the earlier season, the Pakistan Tobacco Company, the major sponsors of cricket in Pakistan for 21 years, had also appointed him their chief cricket scorer and statistician for the Wills Cup One-day National Cricket Tournament.

In 1985, he made his mark as sports broadcaster, during programmers on a regular basis for the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC). He entered mainstream journalism in 1987, after having graduated in civil engineering discipline from the NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, in 1986.

After the stints as a freelance journalists, scorer and broadcaster, he joined the Karachi Bureau of the Frontier Post as Sports Reporter in 1987. He joined the News International as Sports Reporter in 1990 and he has remained there since then.

Prior to this one, he authored seven books viz Focus on World Cup, the Caribbean Challenge, Pakistan Triumph in World Cup Cricket 1992, Pakistan: The Land of World Champions, Pakistan’s Sports Greats, So Near Yet So Far and Spotlight on World Cup 2003.

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