World Cup History: The Opener
I have some free time that I didn't expect (work that I estimated would take me 4 hours took me only 2) and so I'm going to spend (waste?) it with this blog entry. The title pretty much explains what this is all about.
The 2003 Opening Match: West Indies vs South Africa
This one was brilliant, the way it see-sawed throughout the match right until the last over. The hosts were clearly the favorites, and seemed to be on their way to restricting the Windies to a small total when the scorecard 23/2 after 14 overs. It was then that Lara, just back into the team after an injury had him out for months, revived the ghosts of the 1996 quarter final and played a blinder. His 134-ball 116 helped the inaugural champions to a fighting total of 278/5.
South Africa's chase was steady throughout, though they lost wickets at regular intervals, pushing the required run rate up to 7 by the 27th over. The hosts seemed down and out when Kirsten was out for 69, at 155/5. With a hundred and fourteen required of the last 84 balls, things seemed out of reach. Kluesner and Boucher steadied things until Boucher was out at 204/7, with a run rate of 9.25 still required. It was then that the so far dormant Zulu, who had been out of touch and a shadow of his 1999 World Cup days, played an innings that was remniscent of the spectacular 1999 semi-final. Kluesner smashed 46 runs of his next 20 balls, taking the hosts 9 runs within victory range with one over left. (Note: South Africa had to reach the target in 49 overs, as this was still the period where slow over rates were penalized with less overs for the team batting second).
The setting was almost identical to that of South Africa's last world cup match - the semi final tie that had them eliminated 4 years ago in Birmingham. And the result, once again, disappointment for South Africa. Boje took a single of the first ball, allowing Kluesner 5 more to score 8 runs of. The commentator (can't remember who it was right now, probably nobody important seeing as this was a Sony Max commentator) predicted South Africa would win within the next 2. Kluesner faced a dot ball, and then aired one to mid wicket, trying to clear the fence, only to send it straight to Hooper. West Indies insured their victory in the next few balls, as South Africa once again proved correct their eternal tag of being chokers.
Hopefully the West Indies vs Pakistan game tomorrow will prove to be as exciting. Hope all those who find a way to watch it enjoy!
The 2003 Opening Match: West Indies vs South Africa
This one was brilliant, the way it see-sawed throughout the match right until the last over. The hosts were clearly the favorites, and seemed to be on their way to restricting the Windies to a small total when the scorecard 23/2 after 14 overs. It was then that Lara, just back into the team after an injury had him out for months, revived the ghosts of the 1996 quarter final and played a blinder. His 134-ball 116 helped the inaugural champions to a fighting total of 278/5.
South Africa's chase was steady throughout, though they lost wickets at regular intervals, pushing the required run rate up to 7 by the 27th over. The hosts seemed down and out when Kirsten was out for 69, at 155/5. With a hundred and fourteen required of the last 84 balls, things seemed out of reach. Kluesner and Boucher steadied things until Boucher was out at 204/7, with a run rate of 9.25 still required. It was then that the so far dormant Zulu, who had been out of touch and a shadow of his 1999 World Cup days, played an innings that was remniscent of the spectacular 1999 semi-final. Kluesner smashed 46 runs of his next 20 balls, taking the hosts 9 runs within victory range with one over left. (Note: South Africa had to reach the target in 49 overs, as this was still the period where slow over rates were penalized with less overs for the team batting second).
The setting was almost identical to that of South Africa's last world cup match - the semi final tie that had them eliminated 4 years ago in Birmingham. And the result, once again, disappointment for South Africa. Boje took a single of the first ball, allowing Kluesner 5 more to score 8 runs of. The commentator (can't remember who it was right now, probably nobody important seeing as this was a Sony Max commentator) predicted South Africa would win within the next 2. Kluesner faced a dot ball, and then aired one to mid wicket, trying to clear the fence, only to send it straight to Hooper. West Indies insured their victory in the next few balls, as South Africa once again proved correct their eternal tag of being chokers.
Hopefully the West Indies vs Pakistan game tomorrow will prove to be as exciting. Hope all those who find a way to watch it enjoy!
posted by N.J. at 3:57 PM
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