One Day Cricket Betting: Fifty-Over Thrillers

Bat and ball / Andrew Hughes / 10 November 2009 / Leave a Comment

Andy Roberts kept his cool at Edgbaston in 1975

"The West Indies tried to smash their way to victory, but threw their wickets away with some reckless shots and at 203-9, appeared to have given up the ghost."

There have been some thrilling one day internationals over the year's and Monday's nail-biter between New Zealand and Pakistan was just the latest example. Andrew Hughes looks back at some of the classics of this enduring format

Some in the cricket world would like to see the back of the one-day international. The consensus of pundits seems to be that it is a tired format that can't compete with the crash bang wallop of Twenty20. But those pundits are wrong. Fifty over games can produce thrilling cricket, as demonstrated during the current series between India and Australia and in Monday's nail-biter between New Zealand and Pakistan. And there have been many more in the 38 year history of the one day international. Here are four more thrillers from the cricket archives.

West Indies v Pakistan, Edgbaston 1975

A formidable West Indian side were strong favourites for this group match at the inaugural World Cup, particularly given that Pakistan were without captain Asif Iqbal and their young star Imran Khan. 18,000 spectators turned the Birmingham stadium into a raucous mixture of Kingston and Karachi. Up against the fearsome bowling of Andy Roberts, Vanburgh Holder and Keith Boyce, Pakistan batted steadily to reach a modest total of 266. The West Indies tried to smash their way to victory, but threw their wickets away with some reckless shots and at 203-9, appeared to have given up the ghost. But Deryck Murray, helped by some resolute blocking from Andy Roberts, steadied the ship. As Pakistan were forced to turn to their part-time bowlers, the last wicket pair eked out the runs and rescued their team, winning with two balls to spare.

Australia v India, Chennai, 1987

A year on from a memorable tied Test at this sweltering venue, these two teams produced another classic during the 1987 World Cup. Australia batted first and posted a competitive 270. In reply, India, with Sunil Gavaskar in uncharacteristically aggressive mode, made a solid start and needed just 70 off the last 15 overs with eight wickets in hand. But on a stodgy pitch, the accurate bowling of Simon O'Donnell and Steve Waugh slowed the scoring rate and the Indian batsmen began to buckle under pressure. The run-rate slowed and wickets started to fall. With two runs needed for victory, it was left to Maninder Singh to face the last ball, just as he had done the year before. This time he swung, missed and was bowled to give Australia their first win of a successful World Cup campaign.

South Africa v Australia, Johannesburg 2006

A candidate for the greatest game of cricket ever played, this was the final match of a series that was poised at 2-2. Australia set off with all guns blazing, scoring at an astonishing 8 runs an over. They reached 300 before the 40th over and when the punishment finally stopped, they had racked up 438. South Africa made a good start, Herschelle Gibbs and Graeme Smith keeping within touching distance of the run rate and when Smith fell, Gibbs went berserk, finally falling for 175 off 111 balls. With the required run rate creeping over ten, it looked like the game was up for the home side. Yet there was to be one more twist. Johan van der Wath and Mark Boucher launched a last, desperate assault and Boucher won the game with a four off the final ball of the match to seal an improbable win.

Australia v Pakistan, Centurion 2009

An Australian win would send both teams through to the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy at India's expense and when, on a low, slow pitch, Pakistan crawled to an inadequate 205-6, Indian supporters must have been tempted to turn off their televisions. Those who did missed a classic. Australia made a steady start and were coasting at 140-2 after 31 overs. But the Pakistani bowlers had been impressive throughout and slowly began to apply the brakes to the Australian run chase. Wickets fell steadily as the Aussies began to lose patience and incoming batsmen struggled to adjust to the pitch. Five runs were needed off the final over and in a heart-stopping sequence of anxious calling, edges and scampered singles, Brett Lee and Nathan Hauritz guided Australia home, Lee diving full length off the final ball to secure the victory. India were out and Australia went on to take yet another title.