And it was all looking so good
Dramatic collapses in ODIs
Andrew McGlashan
27-Nov-2008
Zimbabwe set a new world record when six of their batsmen collected ducks as they collapsed from 124 for 3 to 127 against Sri Lanka. This week we look back at XI other devastating slumps in ODIs
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England v West Indies, Lord's, 1979
One-day batting collapses by England aren't just a modern phenomenon. They've been around since limited-overs cricket began. One of their "best" came in the 1979 World Cup final, where they managed to lose their last eight wickets for 11 runs. In truth, their demise came about because the opening stand of 129, between Geoff Boycott and Mike Brearley, used up 38 overs, putting huge pressure on the remaining batsmen. Hitting out at the end of a one-day innings against the likes of Colin Croft and Joel Garner was almost impossible. Garner helped himself to a five-wicket haul and was twice on a hat-trick.
One-day batting collapses by England aren't just a modern phenomenon. They've been around since limited-overs cricket began. One of their "best" came in the 1979 World Cup final, where they managed to lose their last eight wickets for 11 runs. In truth, their demise came about because the opening stand of 129, between Geoff Boycott and Mike Brearley, used up 38 overs, putting huge pressure on the remaining batsmen. Hitting out at the end of a one-day innings against the likes of Colin Croft and Joel Garner was almost impossible. Garner helped himself to a five-wicket haul and was twice on a hat-trick.
South Africa v Pakistan, Durban, 1992-93
This list wouldn't be complete without an entry (or two) involving Pakistan's two Ws - Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. They caused more one-day collapses than batsmen around the world would care to remember and have often said how they were even confident of defending 40 off ten overs when a side had six wickets in hand. Something along those lines occurred in this game in Durban as South Africa chased 209. An opening stand of 101 between Andrew Hudson and Kepler Wessels put them on track, and later, at 159 for 1, the match looked in the bag. However, Peter Kirsten fell to Asif Mujtaba's left-arm spin, then Waqar and his inswinging yorkers did the rest. All five of his wickets were clean-bowled, including Hudson for 93, while three batsmen were run out in the panic. South Africa lost 9 for 39 and in the end Pakistan even had breathing space.
This list wouldn't be complete without an entry (or two) involving Pakistan's two Ws - Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. They caused more one-day collapses than batsmen around the world would care to remember and have often said how they were even confident of defending 40 off ten overs when a side had six wickets in hand. Something along those lines occurred in this game in Durban as South Africa chased 209. An opening stand of 101 between Andrew Hudson and Kepler Wessels put them on track, and later, at 159 for 1, the match looked in the bag. However, Peter Kirsten fell to Asif Mujtaba's left-arm spin, then Waqar and his inswinging yorkers did the rest. All five of his wickets were clean-bowled, including Hudson for 93, while three batsmen were run out in the panic. South Africa lost 9 for 39 and in the end Pakistan even had breathing space.
South Africa v Pakistan, 1992-93, East London
Six days later Pakistan were at it again and this time it was Wasim's turn to take the spotlight. South Africa, this time chasing 172 off a rain-reduced 31 overs, were 151 for 4 with Hansie Cronje and Jonty Rhodes well set. Wasim changed the game when he bowled Rhodes; then Waqar removed Dave Callaghan for a first-ball duck. None of the incoming batsmen could handle the pressure and Wasim cleaned up the lower order. Cronje was eighth out for a 70-ball 81. In total, South Africa lost 7 for 11.
Six days later Pakistan were at it again and this time it was Wasim's turn to take the spotlight. South Africa, this time chasing 172 off a rain-reduced 31 overs, were 151 for 4 with Hansie Cronje and Jonty Rhodes well set. Wasim changed the game when he bowled Rhodes; then Waqar removed Dave Callaghan for a first-ball duck. None of the incoming batsmen could handle the pressure and Wasim cleaned up the lower order. Cronje was eighth out for a 70-ball 81. In total, South Africa lost 7 for 11.
Lancashire v Surrey, The Oval, 1993
This match just goes to show domestic teams can do collapses as well as the big boys. Lancashire, the powerhouse one-day side of the 1990s, were on the verge of going out of the Benson & Hedges Cup against Surrey. In fact, even the most ardent of Lancashire supporters had probably given up when Surrey needed 25 to win with nine wickets in hand after Alec Stewart and Graham Thorpe had added 212. But from nowhere Surrey imploded once Stewart fell to Peter Martin. One by one the home side's batsmen gave their wickets away, probably not believing they could throw the match away. Ian Austin and Wasim Akram bowled full and straight and reaped the rewards. Such was the shambles that Surrey came to the last ball needing eight to win. Lancashire duly completed their great escape.
This match just goes to show domestic teams can do collapses as well as the big boys. Lancashire, the powerhouse one-day side of the 1990s, were on the verge of going out of the Benson & Hedges Cup against Surrey. In fact, even the most ardent of Lancashire supporters had probably given up when Surrey needed 25 to win with nine wickets in hand after Alec Stewart and Graham Thorpe had added 212. But from nowhere Surrey imploded once Stewart fell to Peter Martin. One by one the home side's batsmen gave their wickets away, probably not believing they could throw the match away. Ian Austin and Wasim Akram bowled full and straight and reaped the rewards. Such was the shambles that Surrey came to the last ball needing eight to win. Lancashire duly completed their great escape.
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India v Sri Lanka, Calcutta, 1995-96
This World Cup semi-final was famously handed to Sri Lanka by default when the game had to be abandoned due to rioting among a 100,000 sell-out crowd. Their anger was sparked by a full-blown India collapse: the home side folded from 98 for 2 to 120 for 8. Sachin Tendulkar had got the crowd jumping with 65 off 88 balls as India made a decent fist of chasing 252. However, after he was stumped off Sanath Jayasuriya, the rest of India's line-up capitulated. It was too much for the packed stadium to handle as they saw their hopes of a World Cup go up in smoke - literally, as fires were lit around the stadium. However, not all the supporters wanted to be seen in a bad light. "Some took out apologetic advertisements in the Sri Lankan press," reported Wisden. "But, like the Pakistani fans four days before, others raged against their unsuccessful players and a guard was put on captain [Mohammad] Azharuddin's house."
This World Cup semi-final was famously handed to Sri Lanka by default when the game had to be abandoned due to rioting among a 100,000 sell-out crowd. Their anger was sparked by a full-blown India collapse: the home side folded from 98 for 2 to 120 for 8. Sachin Tendulkar had got the crowd jumping with 65 off 88 balls as India made a decent fist of chasing 252. However, after he was stumped off Sanath Jayasuriya, the rest of India's line-up capitulated. It was too much for the packed stadium to handle as they saw their hopes of a World Cup go up in smoke - literally, as fires were lit around the stadium. However, not all the supporters wanted to be seen in a bad light. "Some took out apologetic advertisements in the Sri Lankan press," reported Wisden. "But, like the Pakistani fans four days before, others raged against their unsuccessful players and a guard was put on captain [Mohammad] Azharuddin's house."
Australia v England, Sydney, 1998-99
Shane Warne caused many England batsmen to do things they regretted and the first Carlton and United final in Sydney in 1999 was a prime example. Nasser Hussain and Vince Wells (this was during a period of curious one-day selections by England) had carried them to 198 for 5 chasing 233. They had more than seven overs left; surely even England wouldn't be denied this time. Lo and behold, up popped Warne to draw Hussain into a wild heave and get him stumped. Three wickets fell on 198 and England were flapping hopelessly. Life was no easier against Glenn McGrath and he ran through the lower order as the chase came up ten demoralising runs short.
Shane Warne caused many England batsmen to do things they regretted and the first Carlton and United final in Sydney in 1999 was a prime example. Nasser Hussain and Vince Wells (this was during a period of curious one-day selections by England) had carried them to 198 for 5 chasing 233. They had more than seven overs left; surely even England wouldn't be denied this time. Lo and behold, up popped Warne to draw Hussain into a wild heave and get him stumped. Three wickets fell on 198 and England were flapping hopelessly. Life was no easier against Glenn McGrath and he ran through the lower order as the chase came up ten demoralising runs short.
Pakistan v Sri Lanka, 1999, Sharjah
Sharjah has hosted more one-day internationals than any other venue, many of them fairly unremarkable. This one, though, was an exception. Sri Lanka were 157 for 1, needing 39 more off nearly 15 overs - a cakewalk in any one-day international. Even when Romesh Kaluwitharana fell to Abdur Razzaq for 75 there should barely have been a flutter. However, wickets then started falling in a rush, first to Wasim Akram then to Razzaq, as the middle order subsided. With three runs needed they had three wickets left, but the tail couldn't hold it together. Chamara Silva was bowled by the first ball of the last over. Razzaq finished with five and the game ended in an extraordinary tie.
Sharjah has hosted more one-day internationals than any other venue, many of them fairly unremarkable. This one, though, was an exception. Sri Lanka were 157 for 1, needing 39 more off nearly 15 overs - a cakewalk in any one-day international. Even when Romesh Kaluwitharana fell to Abdur Razzaq for 75 there should barely have been a flutter. However, wickets then started falling in a rush, first to Wasim Akram then to Razzaq, as the middle order subsided. With three runs needed they had three wickets left, but the tail couldn't hold it together. Chamara Silva was bowled by the first ball of the last over. Razzaq finished with five and the game ended in an extraordinary tie.
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Pakistan v New Zealand, Lahore, 2003-04
New Zealand were up against it in this chase, needed 127 off 14 overs to hunt down 282, but their final demise gave the match a dramatic conclusion. Richard Jones was bowled by Shoaib Malik for 63, but the real drama came from Mohammad Sami, who scythed through the lower order as six wickets fell for two runs. Five of them fell with the score on 155 in the space of six balls, with Sami claiming four in an over. Pakistan went on to take the series 5-0, but New Zealand would have their revenge a few months later when they took the return contest 4-1.
New Zealand were up against it in this chase, needed 127 off 14 overs to hunt down 282, but their final demise gave the match a dramatic conclusion. Richard Jones was bowled by Shoaib Malik for 63, but the real drama came from Mohammad Sami, who scythed through the lower order as six wickets fell for two runs. Five of them fell with the score on 155 in the space of six balls, with Sami claiming four in an over. Pakistan went on to take the series 5-0, but New Zealand would have their revenge a few months later when they took the return contest 4-1.
Kenya v Pakistan, Edgbaston, 2004
There were plenty of Associate collapses that could have been included in this XI, but what made this effort from Kenya stand out was that they had had a reasonable start, reaching 67 for 1 in the 22nd over. Kennedy Otieno and Maurice Ouma batted solidly, if slowly, to add 65, but once Pakistan made the breakthrough there was hardly any resistance. Shahid Afridi started the slide when he had Ouma caught behind, and he went on to collect one of the easiest five-wicket hauls of his career: His 5 for 11 remains an ODI best for him. Shoaib Malik picked up three of the other four wickets as Kenya fell in a heap; Hitish Modi watched the procession, stranded on 18.
There were plenty of Associate collapses that could have been included in this XI, but what made this effort from Kenya stand out was that they had had a reasonable start, reaching 67 for 1 in the 22nd over. Kennedy Otieno and Maurice Ouma batted solidly, if slowly, to add 65, but once Pakistan made the breakthrough there was hardly any resistance. Shahid Afridi started the slide when he had Ouma caught behind, and he went on to collect one of the easiest five-wicket hauls of his career: His 5 for 11 remains an ODI best for him. Shoaib Malik picked up three of the other four wickets as Kenya fell in a heap; Hitish Modi watched the procession, stranded on 18.
India v England, Delhi, 2006
England were on a high after levelling the Test series with a famous victory in Mumbai and began the one-dayers in promising style by dismissing India for 203. Despite a wobbly start to the chase, at 117 for 3 in the 20th over all was looking rosy for England. However, Kevin Pietersen managed to fall to a full toss and soon the innings went into a nosedive. Andrew Flintoff fell five balls later and the middle order were no match for Harbhajan Singh, who produced a Man-of-the-Match display with 5 for 31. It began a horror run of one-day results for the team in India, as they went down 5-1, and the trend continues on the current tour.
England were on a high after levelling the Test series with a famous victory in Mumbai and began the one-dayers in promising style by dismissing India for 203. Despite a wobbly start to the chase, at 117 for 3 in the 20th over all was looking rosy for England. However, Kevin Pietersen managed to fall to a full toss and soon the innings went into a nosedive. Andrew Flintoff fell five balls later and the middle order were no match for Harbhajan Singh, who produced a Man-of-the-Match display with 5 for 31. It began a horror run of one-day results for the team in India, as they went down 5-1, and the trend continues on the current tour.
Pakistan v South Africa, Lahore, 2007
The third entry for this pair of teams, but the boot was on the other foot this time. South Africa stumbled themselves, falling from 194 for 4 to 230 for 9; however, that wasn't a patch on what Pakistan managed. With the series tied at 2-2, the home side were on course to take it when they eased to 199 for 4, needed 34 to win. Then it all went wrong after Albie Morkel bowled Shoaib Malik. All it required was a calm head, but Pakistan's middle and lower order collectively lost theirs. Morkel and Makhaya Ntini did the damage. The last six wickets fell for 20 and the last three all on 219.
The third entry for this pair of teams, but the boot was on the other foot this time. South Africa stumbled themselves, falling from 194 for 4 to 230 for 9; however, that wasn't a patch on what Pakistan managed. With the series tied at 2-2, the home side were on course to take it when they eased to 199 for 4, needed 34 to win. Then it all went wrong after Albie Morkel bowled Shoaib Malik. All it required was a calm head, but Pakistan's middle and lower order collectively lost theirs. Morkel and Makhaya Ntini did the damage. The last six wickets fell for 20 and the last three all on 219.
Andrew McGlashan is a staff writer at Cricinfo