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THURSDAY 2 November 2000
Jamie Cox looks back on the Tigers' clash with the Bulls
Of the many privileges associated with playing cricket at first-class
level, undoubtedly one of the most precious is the occasional
opportunity to witness genius first-hand. I consider myself very
fortunate to have watched many breathtaking performances, both for and
against, over the past twelve years. But very few have even come close
to Ricky Ponting's 233 at Allan Border Field during our recent Pura Cup
match against the Bulls.
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Ricky Ponting - perfect warm-up for the summer
© AllSport & ACB |
Whilst I have seen better innings in more difficult circumstances, for
pure stroke play this one was simply flawless and the perfect warm-up
for Punter's international summer. Upon reflection in the Brisbane
Sheraton pool later that afternoon I could not recall a single play and
miss, with the only possible error in judgement being a 'French cut' for
4 off Adam Dale whilst in the 30s. The only shame was that it was
witnessed by a poor crowd of approximately 450 odd spectators. Had there
been any prior warning of the day's events then I am certain the ground
would have been packed to capacity!
To lose the game in Brisbane, after controlling momentum for the first
three and a half days, was certainly very disappointing. I do, however,
stand by the decision to set the sort of target that we did and take my
hat off to the Bulls, in particular Andrew Symonds and Martin Love, for
their success. A score of 370 to win off 73 overs is the type we have
often reeled in at Bellerive before and, on a flatter wicket and smaller
ground, I always thought the match was evenly poised. However, it was
not until 'Symo' took matters into his own hands early in the last
session that the chase was even on and with every lusty blow you could
sense and hear the confidence growing. The initial assault was so brutal
that within three overs the entire momentum of the game had reversed.
Undoubtedly the crunch time in the innings came when Symo faced his
first ball from David Saker. The ball before, Sakes had trapped Stuart
Law lbw without offering a shot and the first ball to Symo also hit him
on the pad. We naturally thought it was out but unfortunately the umpire
thought he had hit it! You would think that maybe one of the Tigers
would have heard it but one's hearing can get a little selective at
times! Consecutive lbw's have always been like hen's teeth! At 4-59
things would have been looking very rosy but unfortunately from that
point onwards our game gradually deteriorated, whilst the Bulls' rapidly
improved!
As impressively as Symo played, the innings that really impressed was
that of the often unheralded Martin Love. His record suggests that he
saves his best for the Tigers and this was no exception. Whilst we
always thought we could have Symo holing out somewhere (which eventually
happened at about 140!), Lovey looked in total control once he was set.
It was his wicket that we had to get if we were to win (or even draw)
the game. He is a peerless timer of the ball on both sides of the wicket
and his placement was centimetre perfect. For some reason his face has
never seemingly even come close to fitting the national set-up and maybe
the other states know something that we do not. If that is the case, I
would certainly be interested to learn what it is, as he has certainly
caused us plenty of grief over the years.
The challenges certainly do not get any easier for us in the short term,
as we have the full strength Blues at Bellerive, starting on Melbourne
Cup Day. As last start winners against their full line-up we will
naturally be hoping for history to repeat itself.
Jamie Cox from the Apple Isle
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