NatWest Trophy Final, Lord’s, 2002
One of the most thrilling and dramatic ODIs played at Lord’s is surely the NatWest Final played between India and England in July, 2002. England, having won the coin toss, elected to bat first.
They made the most of their innings by hitting for a massive 325 runs. More than two-thirds of England’s production came from batsmen Marcus Trescothick and Nasser Hussain who both posted centuries.
India responded with a memorable innings of their own. Run production was more evenly distributed by the Indian batsmen and included three half-centuries. Spectators at Lord’s watched as India chased down the English lead, the size of which had never been surmounted before, and win the final by just two wickets and three remaining balls. Who can forget Dada’s feat, after the win?
Australia Vs South Africa, World Cup Semi-Final, Edgbaston, 1999
Just four days before this match, Australia had defeated South Africa by 5 wickets in the Super Six stage match. Just how important that game would turn out to be in the long run, no one could have known. The June 17th semi-final between Australia and South Africa took place at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England. South Africa won the toss but elected to field first, letting the Australians hit. South African bowler Shaun Pollock bowled 5 for 36 and helped limit the Australians to 213. Australia countered with their own bowling experts, including Shane Warne who went 4 for 29. South Africa, like their opponents, scored 213 runs in their innings. South Africa possibly had a chance to win the match but for a mix-up when Lance Klusener tried for a run while his partner at the other end, Allan Donald, stayed in place. The result was a run out and a draw. By the fact Australia had won the earlier Super Six match, they went through at South Africa’s expense. Don’t forget the then Australian Captain Steve Waugh’s famous statement – YOU DROPPED THE WORLD CUP BOY!
South Africa Vs Australia, Fifth ODI, Johannesburg, 2006
Leading up to this One Day International match, most of the money was on Australia to win. The Aussies always seem to have the South Africans’ number, taking three of four matches from them when the South Africans toured Australia earlier that season and losing out in the Test series. The fifth ODI was of even greater importance as the first four matches were split between the two sides. Each side was missing a key player with Australia’s Glenn McGrath and South Africa’s Shaun Pollock both out of contention. Australia, batting first, came out of the gates like a bull and recorded a record 434 run innings. It seemed all but over for the home team. Then, led by Herschelle Gibbs, the South Africans rallied and did the unthinkable. Having just watched the Australians set an ODI run record, they responded with a record of their own and hit for 438, winning by one wicket with just one ball to spare. The exploits of both teams mean this match definitely earns a place on any list of greatest matches.
India Vs Australia, 2nd Test, Kolkata, 2001
Heading into the March 11th-15th 2nd Test between India and Australia, all indications were that the Aussies were going to add another victory to their impressive record. Up until that point, Australia had set a record 16 Test victories in a row and were rated the best team in the world. To make matters worse, in the 2nd Test, India had failed to score enough runs in their first batting innings that they were forced to follow-on – or take their second batting innings immediately. A betting man would not have put a cent on India winning the match. Trailing by more than 270 runs after their first batting innings, Indian batsmen VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid stepped forward and turned the Test on its head on day four. The two batted for the entire the day and gave India 589/4, a lead of 315 runs. The final day of the Test required Australia to achieve 384 in 75 overs. It couldn’t be done and India took home a 171 run victory over the favorites from down under.
