The keeper dunnit

There are two incidents I remember fondly from the 1975 World Cup. Both were in West Indies' vital game against Pakistan at Edgbaston. A victory would put either team into the semi-finals.

We were in a bad position chasing Pakistan's 266. With about 100 runs required and only two wickets in hand, our dressing room was gloomy. People had already started packing their bags. Then, to everyone's surprise, including our own, Andy Roberts and I saw West Indies home safely with a last-wicket partnership of 64.

We were a bit taken aback by how resigned our team-mates were to defeat. Of course, when we confronted them about it later, they turned around and said they were packing so there would be more space for the celebrations!

Tom Graveney, who was appointed to give out the Man-of-the-Match award, had left for the bar at the fall of our eighth wicket, that of Keith Boyce. He came back in time for the presentation, and gave the award to Sarfraz Nawaz. When asked about his choice, he said: "Sarfraz has taken four wickets and it is normal for a player from the winning team to get the award." Someone then pointed out that West Indies were the winners. That was the first he got to know of the result of the game!