Random Cricket Photos Post 45






Winning a Test against Australia in Australia after getting bundled out for 169 in the first innings is difficult. But winning a Test against Australia in Australia by defending a mere 117 in the fourth innings is one ridiculous achievement. Bowling in Sydney heat, Fanie De Villiers, with a bit of swing and armpit sweat (he used to put the old ball up his armpit and use the sweat from there to shine one side of it) ran through the Australian batting order with a spell of 6 for 43 to snatch a thrilling 5 run victory for the Proteas in this incredible Test from 1994.

While Fanie De Villiers was the wrecker-in-chief for South Africa, Australia seemed to pile all the blame of the narrow defeat on the shoulders of a 23-year-old youngster Damien Martyn. The classy right hander, playing in his seventh Test, resisted for 58 deliveries before a flashy cover drive brought his demise. He was the ninth man out when the score read 110, seven runs away from the target. No. 11 Glenn McGrath was out next and the match had been lost.

In what's often seen as one of the harshest punishments for a mistake on a cricket field, Martyn didn't play another Test for Australia for another six years.

What's even more remarkable about this story is the man marshaling the troops for Proteas in the final innings was a man doing the job for the first time. An injury to Kepler Wessels had resulted in the team management giving the job to a 24-year-old Hansie Cronje, the youngest man in the squad. In hindsight, whether it was a masterstroke or a blunder (considering the future turn of events) is a debate for some other day. 
For now, one can just enjoy the infectious joy of a young captain and his main man who scripted a miracle in this photo.

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