Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Classic ODI matches at CWC venues - Wankhede Stadium





The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai has been awarded the final of the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup on April 2.


Here, in the first of a special series, we look back at five classic matches to have been held in the Mumbai venue.

Runs aplenty

India defeated Sri Lanka by just 10 runs in a high-scoring opening ODI at the Wankhede Stadium in January 1987.

A match reduced to 40-overs-per-side saw Sri Lanka respond to India’s 299-4 with 289-7, generating the highest runs-per-over quotient in international cricket at the time.

Mohammad Azharuddin's 94-ball 108 not out was the centerpiece of India's effort after they were put into bat.

Roshan Mahanama (98) and Asanka Gurusinha (52 off 34 balls) put Sri Lanka on course for a miraculous run-chase before they both fell in quick succession in the closing overs.

Gooch shows his class

Graham Gooch swept England to a memorable victory over hot favourites India in their 1987 World Cup semi-final meeting.

The opener made 115 as England amassed 254-6 after being put into bat.

Although England made regular inroads, the India reply was on track while fifth-wicket pair Mohammad Azharuddin (64) and Kapil Dev (30 off 22 balls) were at the crease. Spinner Eddie Hemmings then removed both as the hosts fell away to 219 all out. Neil Foster (3-47) was England's other key bowler in a victory to savour.

Fleming bowls India over

Australia fought back strongly to claim a 16-run victory against India during the group stage of the 1996 World Cup.

Damien Fleming (5-36) was the bowling hero as India's challenge floundered after Sachin Tendulkar (90 off 84 balls) fell with exactly 100 needed.

Australia's innings promised more when Mark Waugh (126) and Mark Taylor (59) put on 103. No other batsman scored more than 21, however, as the Aussies were all out off the final ball of their 50 overs.

Sanath puts on fireworks display

Sanath Jayasuriya broke the record for Sri Lanka's highest individual ODI score as India were blown away in the Pepsi Independence Cup meeting of May 1997.

The left-hander managed 151 not out despite his side needing only 226 for victory, sending his team to victory by five wickets with 55 balls to spare.

India's innings contained three half-centuries but also three single-figure scores for the top four.

Jayasuriya's score has since been eclipsed several times by Sri Lankan batsmen, including three times by the opener himself.

Kartik's glory

India claimed a consolation victory in their seven-match ODI series with Australia in October 2007 thanks to an outstanding all-round display from Murali Kartik.

The slow left-armer produced the remarkable figures of 10-3-27-6 to dismiss Australia for 193 well inside the batting team's full allocation of 50 overs.

Australia fought back strongly and seemed likely to claim their fifth victory of the series when they had India at 143-8 in the reply.

India's ninth-wicket pair of Zaheer Khan (31 not out) and Kartik (21 not out) were able to go steadily, with plenty of overs in hand, and eventually saw their side to a two-wicket triumph with 24 balls to spare.

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