Australian CRAS XI vs.
Pakistan XI
Regents Park, London
Sat 17th July 1999
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Once again we were blessed with a glorious day, for yet another epic one-day game of international cricket. The venue on this occasion was the beautiful Regents Park in London. The challengers to the undefeated CRAS-Aussie XI were the Cornered Tigers from Pakistan. Their aim was simple - to avenge their countries thrashing in the World Cup Final only a few weeks beforehand.
The Aussie XI were coming off a great victory against the West Indies two weeks prior. Could they remain unbeaten and make it four from four wins for the summer. On this occasion Dimi was given the honour of Captaining the Aussie XI – with his right hand man, Johnno, Vice-Captain. Imran was Captaining the Pakistani XI, and was reportedly quietly confident of victory.
Dimi won the toss and elected to bat. This suited the Pakistani’s, as Imran apparently wanted to send the Aussies in. So the stage was set and the first ball bowled. From early on it was obvious that there was plenty of movement in this green wicket. The Aussie openers, Johnno and Rob "Doorman" Brisot, struggled from the outset. Asfar bowled Rob early for 5 runs. Dan continued his horrible summer and went for 4 runs and Dimi followed with a duck. The Aussie boys were in trouble. Rehan had picked up two wickets in quick succession and the Pakistan boys were indeed pumped up. On their menu was Aussie blood and sweet revenge.
Johnno then departed for 8 runs, bowled around his legs by Zoo-Bear. Many onlookers commented that the opener never really looked at ease without the calming influence of his usual opening partner, Pete Musca (who was sadly absent from this game), down the other end. The Horn came to the crease to a huge reception, for this was the man that had single handily beaten the might of the West Indian XI with a gutsy 52 run innings. Sadly for the game of cricket he departed second ball for a duck. Rehan had claimed yet another Aussie scalp and the Aussies were in dire straits. Pete Willow then disregarded all of his Vice-Captains instructions and played a goose of an innings for not a single run. Johnno and Dimi discussed whether or not to feed Willow to the lions in London Zoo only a few hundred metres away – luckily he was given a reprieve. The gun Aussie XI were now 6-51 and it looked like they would struggle to even make a tonne. The Pakistan XI were jubilant – daily allegations of match fixing now temporally put behind them – or so it seemed.
Just when a saviour was needed, along came Jeremy. He scored a magic 30 runs before having to retire. Upon his return he was stumped first ball. Rossie battled on for 12 runs and Don chipped in with 16 before being unluckily caught in the slips off Suti’s first ball. The Aussies were still not out of jail. Then came the partnership of a lifetime. Brother Bobby Hicks scored a massive 56 not out and Paul a slogging 35 not out. The Aussie XI had seen out their 35 overs and amassed a respectable total of 209 runs. The run rate was up around 6 runs an over – could the Pakistani’s do it?
During the break the Aussie XI listened to inspirational words from their Captain Dimi....
"There’s no I in TEAM.... but there is in CAPTAIN so everyone listen to me......."
It was truly moving stuff.
The Pakistani’s started on fire.....I mean literally – one of the Aussie boys had set fire to their gear as a practical joke. They didn’t find it amusing. This seemed to backfire on the Aussies and the Pakistani openers were in sparkling form. Azid scored a brilliant 35 runs before having to retire. It was an excellent innings of true class with many many text book strokes. Rob Brisot, bowled Aussie Disco Dan, caught their other opener Michael. It was a great catch that once again proved how lethal the Aussies are in the out-field.... even with a Fosters in hand.
Ali then came in and took to the Aussie pace men whacking six 4’s before having to retire for 32 runs. Vip and Suti put on a handy partnership, each scoring 20 and 17 runs respectively. Suti was caught by Horns in the outfield off the bowling of Johnno. It was yet another classic catch, and the catch of the day. The wild celebrations were just that – wild. As the Aussie players ran to congratulate Horns, he waited till they were just a few metres away, and then bolted in the opposite direction. Ten maniacs chased and chased until he was finally caught (some 3 seconds later). High fives were once again the order of the day.
Prior to these wickets it must be said that Pakistan were cruising to a historic victory. Off their first ten overs their run rate was 12 runs an over. But the true Aussie grit and passion for cricket shone thru yet again. Brilliant bowling spells by Rob, Paul, Don, Jeremy, Johnno, Dimi and then Bob seemed to somehow contain the Pakistani's and their run rate plummeted. They now needed 45 runs from 8 overs. Yes, it was still a very achievable target.
However it must be said that the bowlers gave nothing away. There were many many dot balls in those final overs. Johnno ending up with 1-8 off 3 overs, Bob with 2-14 off 5 overs and then Dimi got 1-13 off the final three overs. It ended up that Pakistan required 24 off the last over. Could it be done? No. The Aussies yet again were victorious. The scenes after Dimi’s last ball were once again comical – with all players rushing to grab a souvenir stump and then proceeded to run around madly. It was a sight that had to be seen to be believed. Yes the Carl Rackemann All Stars had made it four from four wins this summer.
So how did the Aussie XI claw their way back from the edge of defeat at 6-51 and achieve a match-winning total of 209 runs? And how did they manage to slow down the Pakistani batsman after they were averaging 12 an over after just 10 overs? Match fixing I hear you say! Bribes I hear you echo! No not on this occasion. Quite simply it was the true Aussie spirit and never say die attitude. This was so similar to the Aussie performance in the recent tied World Cup semi final against South Africa. I share with you all a quote from the former South African & Australian batsman Kepler Wessels, that was made after that epic match.
"What they have proven yet again is that you cannot, cannot put an Aussie down. They will just keep on and on at you until you finally stumble. Then they are there waiting. They are the toughest and bravest nation around and they have proven it again. I had the privilege of sharing many such times in Australia and their self-belief and their courage are hard for outsiders to understand. They are simply never beaten. Thursday they showed that again. They should have been annihilated - yet the victory dance was theirs. It was they and not SA savouring an improbable triumph. They deserve everything good that comes their way. It seems ordained that they are to win this cup. They say that tears are for the weak - well if you see a tear in an Aussie's eye - you can change that to tears are for the victor - for the ultimate survivor".
Yes this may have been well been written for the Carl Rackemann All Stars Aussie super XI themselves. They once again proved they cannot and will not be beaten. Sat 17th July at Regents Park was yet another proud day in Australian sporting history.
AWARDS
Man of the Match – Aussie XI’s Brother Bobby Hicks for his 56 not out and 2 vital wickets.
Runner up Man of the Match – Pakistan’s opener and pace bowler Azid (I still want to check his passport!).
Best Dressed Men of the Day – Ali and Imran looked a treat.
Best Sledging of the Day – All the CRAS members chipped in.
Catch of the Day – The Horn, crouched down low in the outfield.... Oh and the catch was alright as well!
Red Faced line of the Day – Pakistan’s Rehan for declaring "Let’s beat these bloody Aussies!" whilst batting. Five overs later they lost.
Line of the Day - Aussie XI Capt Dimi for "There’s no I in TEAM.... but there is in CAPTAIN so everyone listen to me......."
Winner of the Day – Yet again........cricket.