Nail Biters 1: Aus vs WI. World Cup 1996 Semi final.

(This is a series of some neck-to-neck ODIs which I can remember since I started watching cricket. Indian matches will dominate the series of course, but there will be neutral games too. Like this opener. Hope you enjoy!)

14 March 1996.

This game was a dull one-sider for 91 overs but went haywire in the last 9. West Indies proved that they could bring the game back from dead, by killing their own chances in return.

On a Mohali pitch (one of those few in India who support pace to some extent) Australia were 15 for 4 with Waugh twins, Ponting and skipper Taylor gone. But the run-pirates Bevan (69 off 110) and Stuart Law (72 off 105) steadied the ship with a 138 run stand. Ian Healy scored a useful 31 off 28 to take the score 207 for 8 at the end.

WI were strolling in reply with Lara's run a ball 45 and Chanderpaul playing on 80. The score was 165 for 2 in 41 overs. Then the wheels came off.

Chanderpaul played a rash shot to get out. In a fatal move, Roger Harper and Ottis Gibson were promoted.















Shane Warne brushed past them easily which gave the Aussies the momentum to remove Adams and Arthurton. Suddenly the score was 187/7. It was now up to captain Richardson with only tailenders to accompany. But Australia hardly miss a chance like this, do they? Warne struck again, getting Ian Bishop. 194/8. Warne (man of the match) had bowled a spell of 9-0-36-4. 10 was needed off the last over. Richardson scored a boundary on the 1st ball Damien Fleming bowled. But he mistook a run resulting into Ambrose getting run out, that too at the striker's end. It was all too much for the king-of-the-ducks Walsh, who was bowled on his 1st ball. All over.

Richardson (fittingly a run short to his 50) stood his ground for a long time, watching the Aussies in a jubilant huddle. His last game lay demolished in front of him.

Watch the Scorecard.

I REMEMBER: A power cut denied us watching the WI chase. We were at the terrace when our neighbour Chetan and his friends heard it on the radio and confirmed that it was over for West Indies. "Harle...West Indies harle....".