A view from the Gully (22 May 1999)

22 May 1999

A view from the Gully

Tawfiq Aziz Khan

'Love thy neighbours,' preached Jesus Christ some 2000 years ago. But when it comes to cricket, there is no love lost between Australia and New Zealand.

With a dented ego, favorites Australia chose to bat on a wicket that lacked bounce and pace at Cardiff on Thursday. Since the days of Sir Richard Hadlee, New Zealand were never credited as a team that was particularly proficient in the department of bowling. Neither the Kiwis had any pretentions about it. But their bowlers stuck to their job without experimenting anything silly. They bowled to their field and was backed up very efficiently. Geoff Allott, inspired by his performance against a timid Bangladesh openers struck early; quickly removing the openers and pushing the Aussies on the back foot.

Repair work was on by Ponting and Lehman. But the gentle medium pacers of Larsen had its effect on the rate of scoring. Allott came back on his last spell and dealt two quick blows that left the Australians smarting. The New Zealand attack was an example of ordinary ammunition doing irreparable damage even to the most well-equipped enemy. This was only possible because of the discipline of the bowlers and enthusiasm of the fielders. The going was so tough that even the best one-day player Michael Bevan found scoring a wee bit difficult as Allott relieved him of his misery. When players like Steve and Mark Waugh leave the wicket early, Australia can brace itself for difficult times. This star-studded team looked like an ordinary outfit against the Kiwis in this particular match.

The target was modest but the task was difficult, particularly against an attack that was experienced, accurate and varied. The New Zealand line-up which sometimes gives the impression that they were as big a tail as the Kangaroo's and as strong. Yet some quick crickets in the beginning should have dampened their spirits but Chris Cairns and Roger Twose chose to take the bull by the horn. They hammered the Aussie attack to submission and handed their neighbours a comprehensive defeat.

Once again the 'tail-less' Kiwi had a free ride in the Kangaroo pouch - a rare sight these days.

Away in Durham, the Pakistani's were accosted by a gentleman (or Scotsman) named Gavin Hamilton, a true professional for Yorkshire. Hamilton, along with a baldheaded Asim Butt, whose forefathers may have migrated from Sialkot (famous for sports goods manufacturing) shook up the top order of Pakistani batting until Mr. Extras, a record for that matter, (59 to be exact) came to their rescue. Once again Pakistan top order cracked and it was no good omen for the fancied team.

And then their stock bowlers took enough time to account for the part-timers, which again, was not a happy sign. With Shoaib limping with blisters they should plan for days ahead which might prove difficult without him.

Source :: The Daily Star