Random Cricket Photos Post 64




#RandomCricketPhotosThatMakeMeHappy

There have been a number of 'fall from grace' episodes in cricket but none can possibly be a worse episode than of Hansie Cronje.

A lot of people who didn't grow up watching cricket in the 90s would think of Cronje as yet another match-fixer who tarnished the image of the sport. However, what differentiates Cronje from the rest of offenders and hurt his fans the most at that time was the height from which he suffered the fall.

Not only his numbers as a captain were terrific (a winning percentage of 73, next to only Ponting's 76), but he always came across the guy who'd do the right thing, no matter what.

Two instances come to my mind.

In October 1996, South Africa played India in the Titan Cup opener. Chasing 262 under lights, India were coming back into the match through a partnership between Dravid and newcomer Ganguly, who had come into bat at number 5. Facing Fanie De Villiers, the young left-hander had just touched the ball when Dravid began running from the other end. The mix-up saw Ganguly collide with De Villiers and take a tumble in the middle of the pitch. Although he did get up and try to make it to the other end, he had been run out by then.

However, much to the joy of the Hyderabad crowd, Cronje decided to not appeal and reinstated Ganguly back.

In January 1998, at the MCG, the Aussies required 8 from the last 3 deliveries of Shaun Pollock. Tailender Paul Wilson hit the ball towards the non-striker and before Pollock could reach to it, Warne deflected the ball using his bat to create a single where there was no run possible. Wicket-keeper Dave Richardson along with other fielders went up in appeal for obstructing the field. But a composed looking Captain Cronje asked his team to focus on the remaining two deliveries.

South Africa finished on the winning side on both the occasions.

Was Cronje just a great actor or was there something that seriously went down in the years that followed? We will never know.

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