Plenty of cricket matches have been known to go all the way down to the wire and provide nail-biting finishes. Needless to say, these gladiatorial encounters can be a nerve-wracking experience for players and spectators alike.
In many of cricket’s epic chases that do not conclude until the last ball has been bowled, the team and, to a large extent, the players in the middle who maintain their poise better will be more likely to prevail in the event of a gripping contest.
To capture some of that excitement, spectators may turn to playing fantasy cricket on their handsets. The destiny of the individuals playing fantasy cricket online hinges on what is happening on the field, and if the fortunes of the real-life teams or players oscillate, so do that of their virtual teams in play.
Some of the most bewitching matches that have brought the spectators and players to the edge of their very seats are more than one can keep track of.
What could be called the cream of these encounters that had on display all the grit and the cricketing finesse the players could muster are:
1. Australia vs. South Africa – Johannesburg 2006:
This ODI saw the highest-ever total being chased down by the side batting second and the largest ever cumulative score ever in the history of ODIs. The fixture in question was the fifth ODI in Australia’s tour of South Africa. For those who wish to get down to the brass tacks of the game, Wisden has all the details.
A perfect day for cricket unfolded at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, with everyone blissfully unaware of the record-setting run chase that was to follow. Australia came up trumps in the toss and elected to bat first. What followed was a sublime batting display by the Australian batting lineup, with captain Ricky Ponting leading the charge. He took apart the South African bowling attack and scored 164 runs off just 105 deliveries. Ponting was instrumental in taking his side to a formidable 434/4 at the end of their allotted 50 overs.
One would have expected South Africa to cave in at the thought of the seemingly impossible obstacle. On this day, the South Africans got the better of the visitors. Despite losing the opening wicket of Boeta Dippenaar with just one run on the board, the Proteas were undaunted. Herschelle Gibbs joined captain Graeme Smith and took on the Australian bowling attack putting on a 190-run stand for the 2nd wicket.
Gibbs matched Ponting’s stellar performance with an equally outstanding one of his own, scoring 175 off 111 deliveries. When he departed, Mark Boucher took guard and completed the job with a sweet little cameo scoring 50 runs off 43 deliveries. The Proteas took the five-match series, 3-2, with Ricky Ponting and Herschelle Gibbs sharing the Player Of The Match award.
In all, that record-breaking match yielded 872 runs, which South Africa ultimately won with just one ball to spare.
2. India vs. Australia – Kolkata 2001:
The India vs. Australia Test match held in Kolkata in 2001 is one match that will be etched deep in every Test cricket enthusiast’s memory. The match was played at the historic Eden Gardens.
Australia had won the toss and elected to bat first. On the back of a century by Steve Waugh and a 97 by Matthew Hayden, who was unlucky to lose out on a century, Australia posted an imposing first-innings total of 445. The Indian innings, in response, was cut short when it folded like a pack of cards as they were bundled out for only 171, with VVS Laxman being the only Indian batter to show some backbone, scoring a gritty half-century.
India was humiliated by Australia enforcing the follow-on and was staring defeat in the face with the score reading 115/3 on the fourth day. However, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid stitched together a record partnership of 376 runs for the fifth wicket, with Laxman scoring a sublime 281 and Dravid contributing a none-too-shabby 180.
India declared with their second innings score at 657/7, setting Australia a stiff target of 384 runs on the final day. By now, the tables had turned, and it was Australia’s turn to buckle under pressure who were bowled out for 212. Harbhajan Singh was India’s star performer with the ball, adding six wickets to his existing tally of seven from the first innings.
India won the match by 171 runs and broke Australia’s unbeaten streak of 16 test wins on the trot.
3. England vs. New Zealand: ICC ODI 2019 World Cup Final at Lord’s:
The world’s collective heart stopped beating as it transpired that the ICC World Cup Final was to be decided by a Super Over. Lord’s, being the veritable Mecca of cricket, was a fitting stage for the drama that was to unfold.
But first, let’s backtrack to the beginning of the day’s events. The Kiwis won the toss and decided to pad up. They scored a respectable total of 241/8 in 50 overs. England made heavy weather of the chase, reaching the target of 241, but losing all their ten wickets, with Ben Stokes the last man standing with an unbeaten 84 off 98 deliveries.
But the drama wasn’t done yet; with the scores tied, a super over was due. New Zealand was up first and scored 15 for the loss of one wicket. England scored 15 runs, but their wickets were intact. England, however, took home the trophy as they scored more boundaries in the final, 26 to New Zealand’s 17, and the Kiwis were on the wrong side of history once again.
Thus, came down the curtains on the most spellbinding of World Cup finals that saw fortunes see-saw between two evenly matched teams.
