South
Africa is going through some off-field turmoil in their cricket but the country
have also went through some of the major heartbreaks on cricket filed, Abhishek
Srivastava takes you back to 1992 and 1996 World Cup when they announced
themselves to the world only failing to proceed due to cruel rain rule and a
classy knock from a genius
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| Brian Lara played one of the best World Cup Knock at Karachi |
It was Spring the morning of March 1996, when our physical education teacher has taken us to our
School hall where the world cup match between South Africa and West Indies was
going on, Brian Lara whom I could recognize even then was batting and to my
surprise South Africa (who I was rooting to win) seemed to under pump from the
maestro. The score was moving at a pacier rate and the young batting sensation
was tearing apart the Proteas.
South Africa
started the tournament as one of the strongest contenders and in spite of being
in a tough group, they dominated everyone England have brushed aside, New
Zealand was easily won over even host Pakistan were blown away on their own
home soil. Hansie Cronje’s men seemed almost unstoppable and seemed almost set
to rectify what happened four years back in Australia.
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| Hanie Cronje's wicket signaled |
It was 11th
March 1996 when the Quarterfinal at iconic National Stadium, Karachi was played
between South Africa and West Indies. South Africa looked clear favorites not
only because they were in red hot form but because the West Indies had already lost
to Kenya and looked a team on the end of their great era. South Africa though
started the game with a huge blunder in selection as they decided to drop their
mean weapon Allan Donald and opted for mystery spinner Paul Adams. Adams had
arrived just a few months back on the international stage and there was much mystery
around him to encourage South Africa to try him against a susceptible West
Indian line up on a pitch which was expected to turn, however, this decision by
the team management backfired as Lara smashed South African attack all over the
park. Symcox gave away 64-2 in 10 overs and Adams though took 2 wickets but
gave away 45 runs in 8 overs, usually high from the standards prevailing in
those days. Brian Lara made a breathtaking century with just 94 balls.
National Stadium, witnessed one of the greatest World Cup innings. In reply
South Africa was going great guns at 3-186 however spinners Jimmy Adams and
Roger Harper continued to peg South Africa back by taking wickets and ultimately
the beautiful Karachi evening saw daggers drawn in South African world cup
hopes once again as they fell short by 19 runs.
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| South Africa arrived in Australia in 1992 as Underdogs |
Four years back
something similar had happened in Australia when a rainy Sydney evening dashed
the South African hopes to attain glory in their first-ever World Cup. South
Africa returned back to cricket in November 1991 and ultimately joined the first world cup in a post-cold war era world. Australia and New Zealand
promised to be a thrilling destination, lights, colored clothing, white ball
and the addition of South Africa and Zimbabwe as full members were some of the
attractions of the tournament.
South Africa who
were happy to be part of the World Cup but when they started they were more
than brilliant, They gatecrashed Australia’s party, stunned West Indies,
rolled away India, Pakistan and made light work of Zimbabwe, they had an impressive record of 5 wins and 3 losses (against England, New Zealand and Sri
Lanka) and hence became one of the four teams to reach semi-finals. The second semi-final was set up in iconic Sydney Cricket Ground on 22nd
March 1992, While England, were still favorite but they knew it mattered little,
a day before New Zealand tournament’s best team was left stunned by Imran Khan
inspired Pakistan.
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| S.Africa didn't start well as Botham removed Wessels |
England won the
toss and scored 252 in allotted 45 overs with a brilliant 83 from Graeme Hick
.South Africa who has bowled only 45 overs in the allotted time was fined but the
overs were not reduced. They needed 253 in 45 overs for a ticket to Final South
Africa fought and they fought with a lot of spirits, with contribution from everyone especially 22-year-old Jonty Rhodes quick-fire 43 off 38. They needed 47 in
5 overs when Rhodes got out; this was the time when the rain started to fall.
McMillan and Richardson played briskly and added 25 off just 17 balls and
reduced the target to 22 of 13 balls, this was the time when the rain got heavier
and the umpire decided to go off, in normal circumstances the target would
have been same but as the host broadcaster had already requested Australian
Cricket Board to finish the game in time, the ICC has implemented strange rain rule
which means least productive over of opposition would be deducted as a result
of its target which was reduced to 21 off just 1 ball, which astonishing,
South Africa took 1 off the last ball and lost the game by 19 runs, Brian
McMillan walking in disgust became the most iconic pictures of World Cup 1992
as the strange relation between rain and South Africa began on the night of 22nd
March 1992 at Sydney Cricket Ground still continues.
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| One of the Most Iconic Images in Cricket History |
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| In spite of Defeat, South African players came for Lap of Honour and the Crowd rose to appreciate them |
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| Brian McMillan argues as the rain continued to pelt at SCG on 22nd March 1992 |
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