A TALE OF TWO CAPTIANS

A TALE OF TWO CAPTAINS

World Cup is around the corner but this is a piece on the past. This is not on the chances or the performance of Australia on World cup. This is an article on Two Captains or to be precise two Legendary Words. This is not on their Leadership quality or the exploits they did as Players but rather the recollection of circumstances that led to those Legendary Words and what followed thereafter. Among so many Legendary words, I chose these two effectively was “ In between them lies the Life of an Empire – A Cricketing Empire; its rise and fall”.

To get on to the first of the two “ KID! YOU HAVE DROPPED THE WORLD CUP”. by captain Steve Waugh. It was 1999 World Cup and Australia has not been exactly on fire. A mediocre League stage meant they just sneaked in ahead of Windies having lost to both qualifiers Pakistan and Newzeland. Enter the Super Sixes they needed three in three to get in and India was blown away and Zimbabwe was crushed. The last fixture was must win for Kangaroos against the Proteas who had qualified to Semis by then.

Gibbs century supported ably by Cullinan and Rhodes, followed by a Klusner’s late blitz meant South Africa finished strongly on 271. Set a Target of 272, Aussies were 3 down for 48 when Steve joined his successor Punter and scripted a great partnership. Well when he was around 50s did, Gibbs caught a dolly at point and in moment of frenzy threw it in air to celebrate and just the ball did not stay in his hands for a second and catch was missed. The Ice cool man is supposed to have said “Kid You drop the World Cup”. Give him a damn. The match was far from over and still Semis and Finals reckoned but Senior Waugh known for his mental toughness and ability to inspire was sure of clinching the title at the very moment. And so did the Aussies. A century later in same match, Australia faced same South Africa and folklore tied match and a go into final.Aussies have a simple final with Wizard Warne webbing it around the Pakistanis. Waugh did raise the Cup on Lords Podium.

What followed was an era of Australian dominance. They won everywhere and anywhere san India under Waugh and later Punter carried on the Legacy and since the drop of Gibbs, no team has been able to beat the Aussies in World Cup yet. Frank Worell trophy 1995 might have ended the West Indian domination in Cricket but the Aussie era began with World Cup 1999 win.

The next set of Legendary words were “Only one team was playing with the spirit of the game, that's all I can say,”. The words of Anil Kumble, the Indian skipper post Sydney Test 2008 Vs Australia and Bhajji-Symonds saga. Anil Kumble did get hand at leading the Indian side quite late in his career and after a win over Pakistan at home; his India embarked the shore of Aussies and promptly as every Indian side lost the Boxing Day test at Melbourne.

The New Year Test at Sydney began with Australia choosing to bat and a superb knock by Roy marred by quite a few let offs by Bucknor and Benson took the Aussies to 463. In reply the two stalwarts Laxman and Tendulkar made great centuries and fifties from Dada and Bhajji meant India made 532. It was during the century partnership of 8^th wicket between Master and Turbanator did the allegation of Bhajji calling Symonds as “Monkey” erupt. In second innings Australia posted 401 thanks to tons from Haydos and Hussey, setting India a target of 333. Kumble himself helped 8 wickets in match. India’s reply on day 5 began just before Lunch and quick wickets fell with atleast 4 decisions going against the Batsmen. A claimed catch of what was grounded by Clarke and Ponting giving the batsman out himself, Umpires taking the words of the fielders when there was clearly a dispute, Clarke’s final spell that took 3 wickets all meant India lost with just 9 minutes to spare.

Next came the suspension of Bhajji, BCCI and Senior players firmly backing Bhajji and case got ruled out in subsequent ruling. Here CA failed to back Symonds and led to loss of a great asset in him prematurely. Following this was Perth victory and then a CB series victory. This marked the beginning of end of Aussie dominance and two Ashes loss, two series loss to India, losing to Proteas at home all means Australia is now in Mid Table. This also marked India’s ascent to the Top spot and holding it on for an year.

These two Leaders were among most peerless in their Sport and had lot of unique qualities and are proud Legends of the game. Waugh started the Australian dominance that continued for a decade and Kumble sowed the seeds for the end of it. Between those two Legendary Comments lie the story of a Great Cricketing Empire and that’s what makes them special.