Twenty-five years ago, the Caribbean
saw one great team conquering the legacy of another, Australia’s triumph at
Antigua on 3rd May 1995 was the change in the order of world cricket and
probably the only occasion when the crown of greatness was rightly shifted from
one legendary team to another, we take a look at the historic series, in its 25th
anniversary year, in this two-part series
On May 3rd, 1995, the empire crumbled. The
one who had conquered every challenge across the globe in the past 15 years, was
triumphed over by a bunch of young Australians who were persistent enough to
write their names in history, in golden letters. The West Indies who ruled the
cricket world for almost 20 years and was unbeaten since March 1980 was left
aghast as an era ended on that day. The crown of world cricket was shifted from
the one who had won everything for
almost 15 years to the one who would go on to ruthlessly dominate the cricket world for the next 13 years.
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| Brendan Julian - Wrecked West Indies, here in action on 1st day - 29th March 1995 image credit: Cricket Australia/Getty |
When Australia left for West Indies in late February
1995, they had won Ashes and an ODI tournament in New Zealand. On the other
hand, while the West Indies was not the force they used to be once, but they
were still among the top teams. Mark Taylor knew it needed a herculean effort
to beat a side in its backyard, which was unbeaten for 15 years and had not
lost at home for two decades.
However, on the other hand, the cracks were visible
in West Indian armor and they have been evident for quite some time. Two years
back in Perth, the heroics of their bowlers had helped them to snatch a
thriller by 1 run. In December 1994, a spineless show by Indian batsmen at
Mohali on the last day of the series helped them to register a remarkable win.
However, the expert knew that the team could not survive much longer especially
when the supply of batting talent was almost draining.
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| Glenn McGrath destroyed West Indies - 31st March 1995, image credit: Cricket Australia/Getty |
In such a scenario, when the West Indies started dominating the visitors in limited over series, it was thought to be a repeat of what happened a few years ago. Australians arriving with a lot of expectations but the home side proving too hot to handle. The West Indies nailed the ODI series by 4-1.
Before the first test began, Australia lost
their two main bowlers, experienced Craig McDermott and young Damien Fleming.
It was clear that things were not going to be easy.
West
Indies vs. Australia – 1st (Barbados) Test – 31.03.1995-4.03.1995
The battle for the crown began at West Indian fort
Bridgetown where West Indies had not lost a Test for 59 years (1935-1994). It was last year only that they were stunned by Michael Atherton’s men. However, with a new bowling attack, the problem for visitors had compounded. Paul
Reiffel was recalled almost after twelve months in a bowling attack where
everyone was trying to find his feet. On the other hand, Richie Richardson’s
men were confident even with the less authority on world cricket, they were
still formidable opponents. However, for the first time, their authority was
being seriously challenged.
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| Add Shane Warne was the trump card credit: Getty/Shaun Botterill |
On the first day of the Test, the West Indies won
the toss but found them in a deep hole with 6-3, captain Richardson was out
playing an atrocious shot. Brian Lara and Carl Hooper looked to anchor the ship
before threw it away after making a sparking 60 off just 90 balls. Lara was
caught by Stev Waugh, on what became one of the most controversial catches as
the television replay showed that the ball had touched the ground. West Indies
were bundled for a mere 195, with Brendon Julian picking up 4 wickets. The
Australians had started with intent.
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| Glen McGrath cleaned Courtney Walsh to finish the First Test in 3 Days 31.03.1995 credit: Getty/Shaun Botterill |
But then West Indies had an attack that had made
even paltry scores look like monumental ones. Australia found themselves at 230-6
and in danger of losing the advantage when Ian Healy stepped up, he played a
blinder making a brisk 74 which shifted the momentum towards Aussies. They
finished up with 346, a crucial lead of 151 looked to be the deciding factor, however, as Australia had to play final innings, a good day could have turned
the tables.
The West Indies started the second innings with a lot
of hope of getting back but they were soon in trouble with 57-4 as the top
order was blown by Glenn McGrath. Richardson and Adams tried to fight for some
time but Australia continued to rip in the middle and lower order. The second
innings was the arrival of one of the modern-day great careers. In his 18 months
stint at the international level, Glenn McGrath had played 09 Tests and picked 25
wickets at 38.32, however, this was the series on which he laid a marker and it
started in second innings, with his first-ever five-wicket haul.
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| McGrath received his first MoM in Tests - 31st March 1995 credit: Getty/Shaun Botterill |
His height and bounce in the pitch helped him, but
as Richardson and Winston Benjamin said later, he was relentless bowling in off-
stump corridor. Australia romped over the target of 39 with all ten wickets in hand,
the grand battle for the world championship had begun and the first knockout the blow was given by the Australians, the test was finished within three days
only.
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| Australia gave the first punch 1-0 up, credit: Getty/Shaun Botterill |
West
Indies vs. Australia – 2nd (Antigua) Test – 8.04.1995 to 13.04.1995
The second Test at Antigua started with home side
under pressure to bounce back, on a pacy pitch, Australia was bundled out for
216. The Indian series, 4 months ago has seen the arrival of Courtney Walsh
2.0, who went one step ahead to be a better version of him. Before the start of
Indian series in November 1994 he had 222 wickets in 65 Tests at 26.23. After that
till the end of his career, he took 297 wickets in 67 Tests at 23.11, probably
captaincy brought the best in him. On the first day of the Test, he breathed
fire, the pace, and bounce he extracted from the Antigua Recreation Ground made
Australian looked helpless, a cracking Yorker which snarled from leg to off and
uprooted David Boon’s off-stump was a site which had sent shivers for decades
in visiting batsmen.
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| Brian Lara was sublime in Tests he made a brilliant 88 on the second day of second test 09.04.1995 |
With Lara in a cracking mood to dominate the bowlers,
West Indies was in a dominant position at 186-3. However, Lara flicked an
incoming delivery from Stev Waugh to the on- side only to the dismay that a
flying David Boon took a one-handed stunning catch. Boon who was stationed at
silly mid-on literally flew off to his left to grab the flying ball by his
left hand. This was a momentum-shifting catch, as another collapse saw West
Indies losing 7 wickets for 74 runs.
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| Shane Warne took 3-83 on the second day of second test 09.04.1995 |
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| Courtney Walsh was different bowler since India tour in late November 1994, here in 2nd Test on Day 3, 10.4.1995, Getty/clive mason |
With a strong contribution from the middle order and
bad weather around, Australia declared their second innings with 300-7, setting
West Indies 257 runs to win on the fifth day. The rain made only 30- overs’
possible for West Indies as they scored 80-2 and ultimately the Test ended in a
draw with Australia preserving their 1-0 lead.
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| David Boon made a brilliant 67 on 4th day - 12 April 1995 |
The question which was simmering in the air was, will the West Indies bounce back or will Australia write history in the Caribbean.
Quite a moving write-up where it seemed, m actually visualizing the match through ur writing! 👍
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