Steve does it again (18 June 1999)

18 June 1999

Steve does it again

Nizamuddin Ahmed

Edgbaston, June 17: The burden of a captain is many. He should not be expected to rescue his babes from the clutches of the wolves for the second time in two days. But that was what Steve Waugh did. His gallant recovery mission was particularly crucial because his brother, the other Waugh, left a very miserable mark - out fifth ball of the innings.

Mark thought the ball had risen too much and stood. Later, suffering discomfort in the shaded pavilion, he would realise that the ball did that all day on a wicket that was bouncy from hardness. The sunny weather, despite the damp early this morning, for the second day in a row (that's an English record) helped to make conditions more fit for a day at the beach.

Coming in with Australia trembling at 58 for three in the 14th over, Stevie found in Adam Gilchrist a strange bedfellow. The much heralded wicketkeeper-batsman gave in to restlessness just when he was indicating sensibility after providing Ricky Ponting useful and quiet support.

Marks's early departure and other quick wickets put Australia on the back foot. They were literally shivering in their pants as at one stage of the game will show: from the 26th over they used 24 balls before scoring a single off the bat.

From the 33rd over Steve let loose his trigger and Australia were heading for the vicinity of 250.

Rugged Stevie found his match in left-handed Michael Bevan with whom he shared ninety runs for the fifth wicket, a vital stand but for which the Aussies might have rather stayed at the beach. After the captain's departure as Boucher made good his third caught-behind, Tom Moody did not last long.

Shaun Pollock struck twice in succession to reduce Australia to 158 for six.

Shane Warne, the sensible cricketer that he is, always using his head, put up some scaffolding and with Bevan helped Australia to somehow crawl over the 200-mark.

The wicket was cheerful from 'ball one'. At times it was precarious. The South Africans bowled a tight line and managed to make the white Duke rise with deadly effect. Mark Waugh edged Shaun Pollock from his gloves as he failed to move out of one that was high and kept coming in. Darren Lehmann did likewise to Allan Donald.

The crowd was there up and early as they were promised an enticing match, as entertaining as the one at Headingley last Sunday that was differentiated by only two balls.

At World Cup's second semi-final, the combat to win the right to face Pakistan at the Lord's final, there was nothing to separate the two sides.

It was Jacques Kallis versus Mark Waugh, Allan Donald against Glenn McGrath,

Herschelle Gibbs pitted opposite Adam Gilchrist, Hansie Cronje facing Steve; the list goes on.

Pakistan, favourites now with South Africa to lift the trophy, could relax nonchalantly in their hotel room because whoever wins today, the date at Lord's would be equally challenging, a memorable contest. Despite the arguments against the complicated methodology that ICC derived to pick the top two, the Lord's final coming Sunday promises to be fitting finale to a wonderful tournament.

On a cloudy morning Hansie Cronje won a vital toss. When two bulls are equal to the task, it matters which one decides the sequence. Following Australia's miraculous win at Headingley in the final Super Six match, thanks to Steve Waugh, Cronje just could not risk allowing the Aussies to chase again. They have proved they are good at it. He looked up. It was cloudy. And he decided to field. Mark Waugh, nay Shaun Pollock, proved him right almost instantly.

While acknowledging the spring in the wicket that put rubbed off much of the Aussie shine, full credit must go to the superb fielding of the South Africans. They were on full alert, not letting almost anything go by, urging each other on as the innings developed.

This was Allan Donald's home ground. More than that, the South African paceman owns a house in the suburbs of Birmigham, a stone's throw from the Warwickshire ground. He was enjoying himself thoroughly, bowled well enough, held Adam Gilchrist's rash shot at third man with confidence of a homegrown boy.

The other plus point in the South African innings was Jacques Kallis, reputedly the world's best all-rounder. He overcame a fitness test, but just, after missing Sunday's defeat to Australia due to a rib injury. It was learnt that he would bat, but was definitely ruled out as a bowler. Such was the spirit of the team that the Glamorgan recruit bowled his ten overs quota with courage. He was fit as a fiddle.

The target of 214 does not seem to be a tall task for the South Africans, not with the depth of batting they have. But then, so did the Australians.

Source :: The Daily Star