SuperSport Action

SuperSport Park certainly lived up to it’s name on Sunday as we witnessed one of the most action packed one-day internationals of all time.

In fact those who mistakenly still refer to one of the world’s top crowd-friendly venues as Centurion Park will also be happy that that name was suitably reflected.

As I was driving down the motorway to commentate, I must admit my mind was wandering towards a relaxing afternoon by the pool as I anticipated a showing of little substance from Canada. After all they were blown away by Sri Lanka’s so called pace attack in Paarl in their previous game. A clash of The America’s, West Indies versus Canada was bound to be a mis-match.

I must also admit to a satisfied smile creeping across my face when the coin fell favourably for Carl Hooper and he elected to serve.

How wrong was I!

Canadian born Australian, John Davison had other ideas. He slapped the Windies to all parts and they were totally helpless and shell shocked following his onslaught. His century off 67 balls that included 7 fours and 6 massive sixes was the quickest hundred in the history of World Cup cricket.

It was obvious that one or two of the West Indies bowlers did not totally agree with Hooper’s proposed tactics and in general confusion reigned.

The Canucks got off to an absolute flyer and their 150 came up in a mere 90 minutes. Sadly for the Canadians, Davison was dismissed soon after with the scoreline at 156/3. It did take a miraculous catch from Drakes to see him off. Vasbert, who was hammered for 29 runs in his first 2 overs, decided it was time to take advantage and step up to the plate and finished with a career best of 5 wickets for 44 runs.

The cruising Canadians soon became the calamitous Canucks as they lost their last 7 wickets for a mere 28 runs in 14.1 overs. Action we had. In fact Canada lost their last 4 wickets in 5 balls!

By this time, Canada had posted a total of 202 runs and the impressive crowd of 12 000 spectators had already got their money’s worth. Tony Cozier went as far as to suggest that the action was so enthralling that they should all leave the ground and pay to get back in again.

We weren’t to know there was more scintillating batting to come.

The West Indies must have had a flight to catch. Their calculators were obviously working overtime during the lunch break to analyse their net run rate. Did they step on the gas . . . or what!

Hinds and Lara decimated the boys from North America and stormed to a century partnership in just 46 balls or 37 minutes! Hinds’ 50 was the fastest half century in this World Cup in just 24 balls. Lara obviously noted that and ten minutes later pipped him by one ball to claim that record.

Poor old Barry Seebaran bowled a solitary over and went for 26 runs. The most runs ever scored in any ODI in one over is 30 by Jayasuriya.

Believe this if you can. The West Indies savagely chased down the Canadian total in under 21 overs . . . in 90 minutes!

My beer by the pool was opened a few hours late, but it was extremely satisfying.

Cheers to Davison, Drakes, Hinds and Lara.