Favourite cricketing moments

[Bomber Bears]

What are your 5 (or so) favourite cricketing moments, either at the game or just watching???

5 - listening to the 2001 australia-india series in India

4 - Michael Bevens last ball 4 against the Windies in 95/96

3 - day 3 of the 4th ashes test in 06/07, was there with my dad in Melbourne and it was a quality day of cricket

2 - Ashes 2005, best series ever without a doubt, even tho we lost, so close, so nerve racking, some sensational individual performances etc

1 - cometh the hour, cometh the man
[YOUTUBE]YKKVFAe5ZHg[/YOUTUBE]
Steve Waughs hundred at the SCG, geez i wish i was at this one. Easily the best moment i remember in cricket, was fantastic.

 

[RooBuoy]

I can't list my moments in order but here they are anyway:

- Steve Waugh's hundred (Pity 9 crossed over to the price is right)
- 2005 Ashes series (What an exhilerating series, loved it)
- Brett Lee's 6 to win the game vs India in an ODI at the SCG (India timewasting late in the night, got their just desserts)
- Warney's 700th (What a champ!)
- McGrath's hat-trick and 300th wicket (What a spell of bowling from Pidge)

 

[NSWCROW]

99 WC SF

 

[King Elvis]

Last Adelaide Ashes Test - Warney pretty much dragged us to Victory by sheer force of will.

McGrath's first Series against the Windies; skinny, nerdy little kid bouncing and attacking the Windies pace attack.

Langer/Gilly's partnership in that Hobart Test vs the Pakistanis.

McGrath in the Brisbane Ashes Test; written off, mocked - dominated (probably the World Cup performance from him too).

Loved the 05 Ashes as well.

Gilly's ton in the Perth Test.

Not specific examples, but just things like watching Hayden when he was at his peak - walking down the pitch to opening bowlers, changing his stance/position on a regular basis; smacking them around like it was a one dayer.

Basically seeing either someone excel at what they do, or seeing a guy struggle and battle to try and do the job (McDermott batting against the Windies, Binga against the Poms, McGrath's 66).

 

[RooBuoy]

Last Adelaide Ashes Test - Warney pretty much dragged us to Victory by sheer force of will.

McGrath's first Series against the Windies; skinny, nerdy little kid bouncing and attacking the Windies pace attack.

Langer/Gilly's partnership in that Hobart Test vs the Pakistanis.

McGrath in the Brisbane Ashes Test; written off, mocked - dominated (probably the World Cup performance from him too).

Loved the 05 Ashes as well.

Gilly's ton in the Perth Test.

Not specific examples, but just things like watching Hayden when he was at his peak - walking down the pitch to opening bowlers, changing his stance/position on a regular basis; smacking them around like it was a one dayer.

Basically seeing either someone excel at what they do, or seeing a guy struggle and battle to try and do the job (McDermott batting against the Windies, Binga against the Poms, McGrath's 66).

How could I forget that! Greatest match ever!

 

[Rabbit of Caerbannog]

Not all of these are favourites, rather just memorable moments.

Gillespie and Waugh collision in the field against Sri Lanka.
Ponting's knock against India in the 2003 WC final (Martyn's was a beauty as well).
The countless times Bevan guided us to ODI victories by himself.
'The runout' - 1999 WC SF.
Lee's final over 6 to beat India in an ODI at the SCG.
2005 Ashes series.
Gibbs dropping the World Cup.
McGrath hattrick against the West Indies.
Warne dropping Fleming's hattrick.
Ponting dismissing Lara (ODI) and Vaughan (test).
South Africa chasing down 435 to beat us in an ODI in 2006.
Clarke's 3 wicket over to finish off India in the Sydney test match.
Langer/Gilchrist partnership against Pakistan in Hobart.
Bichel 7/20 against England.
Bichel hitting an Andre Adams delivery that bounced twice for six.
Ponting hitting a double century in back to back test matches.
'Amazing Adelaide'.

 

[emperor]

Two of my favourite moments are ones I was at the ground live to see. The first is Glenn McGrath scoring a 50 against NZ, one of the most enjoyable days at the cricket I've had from a crowd perspective as well as a cricketing one. The second was seeing Sourav Ganguly peel off that sublime 144 at the Gabba. The weather was shit, the crowd small and disappointed that Tendulkar failed to get going and then Sourav came in and enthralled the crowd for 3 or 4 hrs.

Other than that all the standard moments for me, though I will particularly mention the Caribbean series of 95 when S.Waugh and C.Ambrose were toe to toe. The partnership between Steve and Mark in the last test was brilliant I had that video "Waugh in the Windies" and watched it about 100 thousand times

Another memorable moment for the wrong reasons (at the ground for this one too) - 1st Ashes test when Nasser sent the Aussies in, Jones did his knee and Hoggard dropped that sitter late in the day. Good to see Haydos carve up but it was bad because I knew that summer's Ashes series was going to be a complete dud

 

[Wallaby]

Hookes - 5 fours in a row.

'Waltzing McCosker'.

And the third one from the Centenary test - after Lillee bowled the first over in the Poms first innings, Gus Gilmour took the ball and paced out his run-up. The MCG crowd started chanting 'We want Max' - and Greg Chappell walked up to Gilmour, took the ball off him and tossed it to Walker.

May/McDermott partnership against Windies - lost by one run. Two balls before his dismissal, McDermott flicked one off his toes - it hit Dessy Haynes hand at short leg - he never saw it. 3 inches either way......

The two tests in 2005 that went to the last ball.

Gatting - b Warne.

 

[Wicked Lester]

I expect to be crucified for this but I'll say it anyway. I've never understood the fascination with Steve Waugh's hundred in the 2003(?) Sydney test.

Context: dead rubber, did not influence the series, did not actually influence the match. In fact we actually lost the match from memory.

If it was simply a case of an old warhorse defying form and carving out a century which gave him one more year* in test cricket in which he was able to plunder some runs against a hapless Windies, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh before turing an important series against India into a retirement circus and not regaining the B-G Trophy, before retiring for good, then that's nice and everything, but I struggle to see it as anything more than a fine sentimental moment in history.

*Which came at the expense of grooming a youngster against mediocre oppostion at a time the team was crying out for rejuvenation.

 

[Freo Big Fella]

- Listening to the 99 world cup on the radio.
- WA winning the 03-04 ING cup final.
- Being fortunate enough to beat WACA incompetence and get into the ground in time for McGrath's hattrick.
-Tendulkar's double century against us in 03-04 in Sydney. Best innings I've ever seen live.
-The "hundred metre beer snake" at the WACA a couple of years ago. I think it was an ODI against the Pakis. The sight of thousands of plastic cups flying out of the Prindiville and Inverarity stands was something to behold.

 

[Wallaby]

I expect to be crucified for this but I'll say it anyway. I've never understood the fascination with Steve Waugh's hundred in the 2003(?) Sydney test.

Context: dead rubber, did not influence the series, did not actually influence the match. In fact we actually lost the match from memory.

If it was simply a case of an old warhorse defying form and carving out a century which gave him one more year* in test cricket in which he was able to plunder some runs against a hapless Windies, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh before turing an important series against India into a retirement circus and not regaining the B-G Trophy, before retiring for good, then that's nice and everything, but I struggle to see it as anything more than a fine sentimental moment in history.

*Which came at the expense of grooming a youngster against mediocre oppostion at a time the team was crying out for rejuvenation.

Agree. A complete beat-up from the Sydney Media - as if Waugh was the first player whose spot was under pressure because he hadn't made enough runs. (His brother was a specialist at that....).

Then he made the runs and kept his spot. Well, good on him.

For what it's worth, I think both Waughs are greatly over-rated. Both very good - but neither anywhere near Top 20 Australian players of all time - which is where many seem to place them. Mark's fielding makes him slightly the better, in my opinion.

(My qualifications: - Carried my bat (39*) for the St James U13s vs Ashburton). So there.

 

[YOTC]

The "hundred metre beer snake" at the WACA a couple of years ago. I think it was an ODI against the Pakis. The sight of thousands of plastic cups flying out of the Prindiville and Inverarity stands was something to behold.

Was indeed against the Pakis. Turned into a great match in the end.

Quality of the photo isn't good, but you get the idea. Never got the falling cups photo.

 

[signhimup]

1The whole ashes series in 05
2 South Africa chasing down our 430
3 Steve Waugh 100
4 Brian Lara 200 in his last tour against us.

 

[Belnakor]

Not all of these are favourites, rather just memorable moments.

Gillespie and Waugh collision in the field against Sri Lanka.
Ponting's knock against India in the 2003 WC final (Martyn's was a beauty as well).
The countless times Bevan guided us to ODI victories by himself.
'The runout' - 1999 WC SF.
Lee's final over 6 to beat India in an ODI at the SCG.
2005 Ashes series.
Gibbs dropping the World Cup.
McGrath hattrick against the West Indies.
Warne dropping Fleming's hattrick.
Ponting dismissing Lara (ODI) and Vaughan (test).
South Africa chasing down 435 to beat us in an ODI in 2006.
Clarke's 3 wicket over to finish off India in the Sydney test match.
Langer/Gilchrist partnership against Pakistan in Hobart.
Bichel 7/20 against England.
Bichel hitting an Andre Adams delivery that bounced twice for six.
Ponting hitting a double century in back to back test matches.
'Amazing Adelaide'.

Great List.

the 99 World Cup was amazing. i was up til something like 2am watching it, and when they got within 1 run i actually almost turned the tv off - until "the runout". Warne's magic was unbelievable that day - he literally turned that game around by sheer force of personality.

Don't forget the '96 world cup. Flemo bowling the last over. ice cool, clean bowls Walsh when they only need a few to win. Fleming was the ice man at the death, bowling in two semi final nail biters he didn't choke once.

 

[Belnakor]

also can't forget Dizzy's 200, and also his Chennai innings as a nightwatchmen, on a raging turner, holds on for like 150 deliveries.

Martyo's sub continent tour in 2004 will also go down with me as some of the greatest batting by an Australian.

 

[THE BLACK PEN]

5. When Ponting gets a Duck
4. When Ponting gets a Pair
3. When Ponting gets a Golden Pair
2. When Ponting Gets a Diamond Duck
1. When Ponting gets a DIAMOND PAIR

 

[Nankervis brothers]

I expect to be crucified for this but I'll say it anyway. I've never understood the fascination with Steve Waugh's hundred in the 2003(?) Sydney test.

Context: dead rubber, did not influence the series, did not actually influence the match. In fact we actually lost the match from memory.

If it was simply a case of an old warhorse defying form and carving out a century which gave him one more year* in test cricket in which he was able to plunder some runs against a hapless Windies, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh before turing an important series against India into a retirement circus and not regaining the B-G Trophy, before retiring for good, then that's nice and everything, but I struggle to see it as anything more than a fine sentimental moment in history.




*Which came at the expense of grooming a youngster against mediocre oppostion at a time the team was crying out for rejuvenation.

Basically, Waugh had to score a century there and then to save his spot. He was under intense pressure. Yet from the moment he walked on to the ground the century never looked in doubt. There was just no way he was going to leave the SCG without the runs. Which is precisely why the innings is celebrated. He didn't carefully work his way back into form or "carve out" the runs as you suggest (like a Mark Taylor scraping his way back in England). On the contrary, he pulled a session and bit of near faultless batting out of nowhere. It was an emphatic statement. And a joy to watch (or at least for New South Welshman). And for what its worth, I fail to see how the year that century added to his career got in the way of the team developing. I doubt Ponting had too many complaints about the team he inherited.

 

[Belnakor]

(like a Mark Taylor scraping his way back in England).

That was one of the defining moments of cricket i reckon. Tubby Taylor just dug in that day. He was completely out of nick, he just gutted it out. True grit.

 

[Papa G]

Seeing the West Indian teams of the early 1980's. I don't care what anyone says, there has never been a better cricket side.

 

[signhimup]

5. When Ponting gets a Duck
4. When Ponting gets a Pair
3. When Ponting gets a Golden Pair
2. When Ponting Gets a Diamond Duck
1. When Ponting gets a DIAMOND PAIR

You old trout are a complete #$%*wit.

 

[Wicked Lester]

Basically, Waugh had to score a century there and then to save his spot. He was under intense pressure.

Yes, yes, but ultimately it was all about him. Sure it was a personal triumph where a 36/37 year old who couldn't give the game away managed to put together a fine knock to delay the inevitable for a little longer*.

But I just don't see it as one of the great innings per se. It wasn't an innings that changed the course of a match, or a series. Nor was it performed in unbelievably difficult conditions in terms of the pitch, the bowling attack or the weather.

I don't know. Perhaps I'm missing something, but this particular knock seems to be regularly mentioned in "great moments of Australian sport" and I just can't see it.

*In fairness it did allow him to plunder some big scores a few months later against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh to nudge his final test average back above 50.

 

[Belnakor]

I think there was just alot of emotion about the knock - people thinking the old guy could still cut it. I agree though, it wasn't a fanastic knock in the context of the game, nor the series (keeping in mind, we were like 4-0 up at this point). You could say Andrew Symond's knock at the MCG last series was a better innings etc.

 

[signhimup]

That 100 was what sport is about against all odds he played a magical innings. The theater and emotion off it all. And I wasn’t even that big of a Steve Waugh fan.

 

[Nankervis brothers]

That was one of the defining moments of cricket i reckon. Tubby Taylor just dug in that day. He was completely out of nick, he just gutted it out. True grit.

I agree, it was an incredible innings, but for reason different to Waugh's. I guess they are two different responses to the same problem, i.e., being completely out of form and having one last chance to hold your spot. Waugh took a very positive approach, and played all of his shots as though his form had never been better. Taylor went defensive and took a lot of shots out of his game (to the point of intentionally putting his body on line). The end result was the same. I'd say both are great individual moments in Australian cricket.

 

[Bomber Bears]

I expect to be crucified for this but I'll say it anyway. I've never understood the fascination with Steve Waugh's hundred in the 2003(?) Sydney test.

Context: dead rubber, did not influence the series, did not actually influence the match. In fact we actually lost the match from memory.

If it was simply a case of an old warhorse defying form and carving out a century which gave him one more year* in test cricket in which he was able to plunder some runs against a hapless Windies, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh before turing an important series against India into a retirement circus and not regaining the B-G Trophy, before retiring for good, then that's nice and everything, but I struggle to see it as anything more than a fine sentimental moment in history.

*Which came at the expense of grooming a youngster against mediocre oppostion at a time the team was crying out for rejuvenation.

Andrew Denton summed it up

(paraphrasing certainly not exact)
The peoples champions, boy from the suburbs, Australian captain, under fire after melbourne, and what happens?
Last match of the series against all the odds, under all the pressures, he scores a century, against the bloody poms, at the SC bloody G. It was a great moment from a great batsmen (over 10000 runs at an average of over 50 is a great career) and a great person, probably my favourite ever player (along with his brother and glenn mcgrath).