World Cup Classics: Australia vs England, 2nd semi-final, Leeds, ICC World Cup 1975
Apart from the scintillating Pakistan vs. West Indies clash the 1975 World Cup was producing one-sided contests with bat dominating the ball heavily. West Indies, Australia, England and New Zealand had qualified for the semi-finals. The mighty West Indians outclassed New Zealand in the first semi-final. Ashes rivals Australia and England played out a weird but sparkling second semi-final. Left-arm fast-medium Gary Gilmour gave a glimpse of classy Alan Davidson on a gloomy day on 18 June 1975 at Headingley, Leeds.
Aussie skipper Ian Chappell won the toss and had no hesitation in putting England in to bat on a green top in perfect overcast conditions for bowling. It was the second match on the same pitch which was watered well enough to allow some vegetation to grow on it. Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson were looking forward to exploit the conditions but instead it was Gary Gilmour who stole the show. With his swing and seam he mesmerized the batsmen and took out first six English wickets cheaply. Dennis Amiss was out LBW playing back to a full in-swinger while the other opener Barry Wood was comprehensively bowled by a similar delivery. Next victim was Tony Greig who was lured into playing an away-swinger and Rod Marsh took a fine diving catch in front of first slip Ian Chappell. Frank Hayes did not offer a stroke off a short of length in-dipper and was adjudged LBW. Keith Fletcher became his 5th victim being wrapped in front and England were a precarious 36 for 6 when Gilmour nipped out Allan Knott again LBW. It was a remarkable spell of swing bowling which entered his name in the folklore of cricket world cup history. His figures read: 12 overs 6 maidens 14 runs 6 wickets. Captain Mike Denness and Geoff Arnold helped England crawl towards eventual score of 93 all out in the 37th over. The crowd though was disappointed for home team but was in a festive mood akin to the occasion.
When Australia came out to bat they knew it would not be a run away victory for them. First 7 overs passed safely but then Geoff Arnold got left-hander Alan Turner LBW to spark a collapse similar to England’s. John Snow and Chris Old shared five wickets between them either LBW or bowled to reduce Australia to 39 for 6. In came the savior again. Gilmour played a heroic knock of 28 runs off just 28 balls laced with five fours and shared an unbeaten match-winning partnership of 55 runs with Doug Walters. He gave a chance to Tony Greig at second slip but it was his day in which whatever he touched turned into gold. Australia won the match in the 29th over amid euphoric scenes. Although it was a low scoring encounter but it had enthralled the crowd throughout the day. It was a teaser and an appetizer for the pleasure One Day International cricket was to provide in the years to come. Australia had booked their date with West Indies for the final riding solely on the heroics of Gary Gilmour who galloped with ball and galvanized with the bat on that memorable day.
Aussie skipper Ian Chappell won the toss and had no hesitation in putting England in to bat on a green top in perfect overcast conditions for bowling. It was the second match on the same pitch which was watered well enough to allow some vegetation to grow on it. Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson were looking forward to exploit the conditions but instead it was Gary Gilmour who stole the show. With his swing and seam he mesmerized the batsmen and took out first six English wickets cheaply. Dennis Amiss was out LBW playing back to a full in-swinger while the other opener Barry Wood was comprehensively bowled by a similar delivery. Next victim was Tony Greig who was lured into playing an away-swinger and Rod Marsh took a fine diving catch in front of first slip Ian Chappell. Frank Hayes did not offer a stroke off a short of length in-dipper and was adjudged LBW. Keith Fletcher became his 5th victim being wrapped in front and England were a precarious 36 for 6 when Gilmour nipped out Allan Knott again LBW. It was a remarkable spell of swing bowling which entered his name in the folklore of cricket world cup history. His figures read: 12 overs 6 maidens 14 runs 6 wickets. Captain Mike Denness and Geoff Arnold helped England crawl towards eventual score of 93 all out in the 37th over. The crowd though was disappointed for home team but was in a festive mood akin to the occasion.
When Australia came out to bat they knew it would not be a run away victory for them. First 7 overs passed safely but then Geoff Arnold got left-hander Alan Turner LBW to spark a collapse similar to England’s. John Snow and Chris Old shared five wickets between them either LBW or bowled to reduce Australia to 39 for 6. In came the savior again. Gilmour played a heroic knock of 28 runs off just 28 balls laced with five fours and shared an unbeaten match-winning partnership of 55 runs with Doug Walters. He gave a chance to Tony Greig at second slip but it was his day in which whatever he touched turned into gold. Australia won the match in the 29th over amid euphoric scenes. Although it was a low scoring encounter but it had enthralled the crowd throughout the day. It was a teaser and an appetizer for the pleasure One Day International cricket was to provide in the years to come. Australia had booked their date with West Indies for the final riding solely on the heroics of Gary Gilmour who galloped with ball and galvanized with the bat on that memorable day.
Published in Sportpulse.net
ReplyDelete- http://sportpulse.net/article/galloping-galvanizing-gary-gilmour