If the situation is a tough one in any format of cricket and requires a response then without a second thought anyone would call for Australia for the best of responses. Time and again they have been proving why Australia remain the most successful team in the history of cricket. Cricket has witnessed the rise of empires and watched them fall and never rise again – but since international cricket commenced – the display of Australia’s mental strength remains an example for others to emulate.
The scenario of the second semifinal of the ICC Cricket
World Cup 2023 at Kolkata was similar to one at Edgbaston in 1999. Australia
needed 2013 to catch the flight for Ahmedabad – a total that they posted 24
years ago and like Edgbaston – it was the spinners who posed a threat. Like
Shane Warne – the South African spin duo – Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi
were not turning the ball enough but choked the life out of Australia with
their accuracy.
They operated in tandem for 16 overs and produced a dot in
every two balls, a false shot once every four balls, and almost the same number
of wickets as boundaries.
The wicket at Kolkata had the spice for the pacers with the
new ball where the Spartan line and length of the Mitchell Starc, Josh
Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins set jitters in the South African batting lineup who,
as usual, won the toss and elected to bat – sticking to the plan that had paid
rich dividends throughout the tournament.
With overcast skies over the Eden gardens – threatening of a
heavy shower any time – Starc, Hazlewood, and Cummins made the ball talk and
maintained the line so accurately that the Proteas batsmen failed to adapt and
went back to the hut quickly. But from the ashes - rose David Miller, whose
valiant hundred under pressure could have proved vital until the iconic mental
strength of Australia showed up.
David Warner and Travis Head started playing shots as if
they would finish the match in 20 overs.
Shamsi and Maharaj accounted for the crucial wickets of
Marnus Labuschagne, Head, and the Hercules – Glenn Maxwell.
The match was hanging on the balance at 137 for 5.
When Josh Inglis – the man who was playing his 17th ODI –
walked out to bat, everyone back in Eden Gardens and those watching on TV
thought that South Africa would break the jinx of the Cricket World Cup
knockouts. But Inglis is an Australian and all he needed was to hang out there
and play with caution and enough control so that the momentum shifts toward
Australia.
In cricket – the little cameos are always forgotten and in
the coming days – people will talk about the hundred of Miller or the
swashbuckling knock of Head – but not the chicky innings played by Inglis that
helped Australia register a place in the final.
When Inglish fetched a boundary against Shamsi, who was the
height of his powers, it indicated his mental toughness and composure – it was
hit against the turn, with a straight bat and minimum back lift. He was going
behind the ball by maintaining his full authority on the initial trigger
movement off the back foot. The runs were coming courtesy of the ability of Inglis
to find the gaps amid the consistent pressure created by Samsi, Maharaj, and
the pacers.
The close chances cropped up but Inglis remained firm on his
task.
When Coetze accounted for the scalp of Inglis – Australia
were 19 runs away from victory – but a team like Australia would not choke.
It was up to Cummins and Starc to steer the ship safely to
shore.
But their task was not without danger.
Starc nicked one that went through the vacant slip region.
Cummins scooped one towards short midwicket but the ball fell short of a diving
Miller. Quinton De Kock dropped a tough catch behind the wicket. Rabada was
missed but he was healing his bruised heel. The Proteas created pressure, the
Australians absorbed it like a sponge.
South Africa choked again – the composure of Inglis and
Australia won.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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