The one-day kings
The top contenders for the ODI Performance of the Year award
Wisden Cricinfo staff
29-Oct-2003
The following are the results of the ODI Performance of the Year award:
The winner
Andy Bichel
7 for 20, and 34* v England, World Cup league match
Australia won by two wickets
In a team studded with stars, Andy Bichel is used to playing the spare part. But in this game against the old enemy, he almost did it all by himself. Batting first, England got off to a good start before Bichel hustled them out with sharp pace and bounce. But even 205 seemed a winning score when Australia were reduced to 135 for 8, with Michael Bevan fast running out of partners. Bichel struck 34 of 36 balls, including the winning boundary helping Australia maintain a clean slate.
Andy Bichel
7 for 20, and 34* v England, World Cup league match
Australia won by two wickets
In a team studded with stars, Andy Bichel is used to playing the spare part. But in this game against the old enemy, he almost did it all by himself. Batting first, England got off to a good start before Bichel hustled them out with sharp pace and bounce. But even 205 seemed a winning score when Australia were reduced to 135 for 8, with Michael Bevan fast running out of partners. Bichel struck 34 of 36 balls, including the winning boundary helping Australia maintain a clean slate.
The other nominees
Ricky Ponting
140* v India, World Cup final
Australia won by 125 runs
The stage does not get bigger than a World Cup final and Ponting produced an innings befitting the occasion. Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden cashed in on a nervy performance from the Indian quick bowlers to get Australia off the blocks, and then the captain took over. Ponting gathered his first few runs with care before launching a withering assault that put the match decidedly beyond India.
Ricky Ponting
140* v India, World Cup final
Australia won by 125 runs
The stage does not get bigger than a World Cup final and Ponting produced an innings befitting the occasion. Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden cashed in on a nervy performance from the Indian quick bowlers to get Australia off the blocks, and then the captain took over. Ponting gathered his first few runs with care before launching a withering assault that put the match decidedly beyond India.
Stephen Fleming
134* v South Africa, World Cup league match
New Zealand won by nine wickets
After having forfeited a match in Kenya, New Zealand couldn't afford to lose many. When South Africa coasted to 306, few gave Fleming's unfancied team a chance. But Fleming played like a man possessed, pulling, cutting and driving with a finesse that people often suspected he possessed but one he rarely displayed over such a sustained period. By the time the rain came and reduced New Zealand's target, the fate of the match had been all but decided.
134* v South Africa, World Cup league match
New Zealand won by nine wickets
After having forfeited a match in Kenya, New Zealand couldn't afford to lose many. When South Africa coasted to 306, few gave Fleming's unfancied team a chance. But Fleming played like a man possessed, pulling, cutting and driving with a finesse that people often suspected he possessed but one he rarely displayed over such a sustained period. By the time the rain came and reduced New Zealand's target, the fate of the match had been all but decided.
Andrew Symonds
143* v Pakistan, World Cup league match
Australia won by 82 runs
Andrew Symonds's selection for the Australian World Cup squad was greeted with sniggers but he took only one match to silence the cynics. Australia's Cup campaign was jolted even before it had started when Shane Warne headed home after failing a dope test and Pakistan's fast bowlers reduced them to 86 for 4 in this match. Symonds responded to the crisis by unleashing a string of fierce strokes. His 143 came from 125 balls, with 18 fours and two sixes, each hit with awesome power.
143* v Pakistan, World Cup league match
Australia won by 82 runs
Andrew Symonds's selection for the Australian World Cup squad was greeted with sniggers but he took only one match to silence the cynics. Australia's Cup campaign was jolted even before it had started when Shane Warne headed home after failing a dope test and Pakistan's fast bowlers reduced them to 86 for 4 in this match. Symonds responded to the crisis by unleashing a string of fierce strokes. His 143 came from 125 balls, with 18 fours and two sixes, each hit with awesome power.
Sachin Tendulkar
98 v Pakistan, World Cup league match
India won by six wickets
For drama, spectacle and high-pedigree strokeplay, Tendulkar's 98 was peerless in the 2003 World Cup. A vintage 101 from Saeed Anwar took Pakistan to 273; then Shoaib Akhtar bristled in full of mean intentions, only to be given a hiding that reverberated through the subcontinent. Eighteen runs came in the second over and though Pakistan grabbed two wickets in two balls to reduce India to 53 for 2, Tendulkar carried on playing his strokes. When he was out two short of his century, the match was firmly in India's grasp.
98 v Pakistan, World Cup league match
India won by six wickets
For drama, spectacle and high-pedigree strokeplay, Tendulkar's 98 was peerless in the 2003 World Cup. A vintage 101 from Saeed Anwar took Pakistan to 273; then Shoaib Akhtar bristled in full of mean intentions, only to be given a hiding that reverberated through the subcontinent. Eighteen runs came in the second over and though Pakistan grabbed two wickets in two balls to reduce India to 53 for 2, Tendulkar carried on playing his strokes. When he was out two short of his century, the match was firmly in India's grasp.