- Winning the game comfortably by 96 runs after getting reduced to 84/7 in the first innings of an ODI.
- Surviving a deadly spell of 10–2–23–6 and still managing to stage a comeback in the game.
Yes, You heard it right !
Well, you can hear such things when the team is Australia of early 2000s.
They were the champion side for a reason. They were so because, they used to win games comfortably even after being put under tremendous pressure.
5th super, NZ vs AUS, Port Elizabeth, 2003 World cup.
2003 World cup saw the dominant side of Australia. The ruthlessness was immense, yet having its own challenges. This game was a classic example of how crazy the Australian team used to be back in those days.
On a tricky wicket which had good pace, bounce, carry and swing, literally a dream wicket for the bowlers, NZ won the toss and opt to bowl first.
The stage was set and the wrecker-in-chief was in full flow. Shane Bond at his peak and absolute ruthless form was at his lethal best. He just ran through the Australian top order and middle order like they were club level cricketers.
I'm not exaggerating, it was one of the most devastating spell in ODIs. He dismissed the likes of Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn, Darren Lehmann and Brad Hogg. His figures read 10–2–23–6 and Australia were reduced to 84/7.
Image courtesy - Cricket World Cup.
The audience, the cricket fraternity for once thought, “Right ! We’ve finally got a team that could beat Australia 😈”.
And that was it. That was it.
That was the brief period in which NZ was in the control of the game. 84/7 and Andy Bichel joined Michael Bevan. And they steadied the ship well. From 84/7, they took the team's score to 181/8. The 97-runs partnership brought Australia back in the game.
Michael Bevan - 56(94)
Andy Bichel - 64(83)
Image courtesy - The new Indian express.
Some lower order cameo from Brett Lee powered Australia to 208 in their 50 overs. It was a respectable total, especially after getting reduced to 84/7 at one stage.
Chasing 209, Australian bowlers breathed fire. NZ were made to look ordinary. They were dismissed for 112 in just 181 deliveries. Glenn McGrath brought down the top order and Brett Lee picked up a fifer.
The world saw a brilliant comeback. Australia won the game comfortably by 96 runs.
Image courtesy - Espncricinfo.
It was yet another example of team Australia saying “This is what we are”.