It'd be better if I left this post blank. What happened at the Wanderers today, well, one of those 'can find no words to describe' events.
872!, yeah EIGHT HUNDRED AND SEVENTY TWO runs were scored in a single one day international, Ponting and Australia could't defend an highest ever score of 434!
I was however sure that with Dhoni and Sehwag on our side, we'd be the first to achieve the feat of 400, but Australia were too good and then SA. Dhoni and Sehwag should now aim for 200.
This is surely a defining event in the history of ODI's and shows signs of things to come. With the new breed of big hitters coming into the game, cricket lovers sure seem to be in store for a treat in the coming seasons. But we'd have to spare a thought for the bowlers, and I hope these fellas shall develop a few tricks... or the situation could get out of hand... with lesser ppl wanting to become bowlers and that would only work in favour of the batsmen... 500 next? There is a lot of pressure on bowlers today to be good at batting as well specially in the one-day format. Cricket academies around the world should work on the development of bowling…. Probably should employ physics guys like me to work on the development of new tricks.
THE FACTS
In the most extraordinary one-dayer ever, the home side's victory was achieved with one ball to spare and sparked wild celebrations on and off the Wanderers pitch.
Before 12th March 2006, no side had scored more than 400 in a one-day international and South Africa's total topped Australia's record 434/4 earlier in the day.
Ricky Ponting (164) Herschelle Gibbs (175.
A total of 872 runs were scored. The previous record was 693 when India beat Pakistan by five runs in Karachi in March 2004.
The previous innings record was the 398 for five Sri Lanka scored against Kenya in Kandy in 1995-96.
The two batsmen were jointly awarded man of the match but Ponting declined it, saying Gibbs deserved the honour alone.
Graeme Smith and Gibbs kept the home side on course with a lusty second-wicket stand of 187 off 128 balls, South Africa's highest partnership for any wicket against Australia.
Mick Lewis' return of nought for 113 was the most expensive bowling analysis in 50-over one-day internationals.
The previous record was the 0-99 Muttiah Muralitharan conceded for Sri Lanka against Australia in Sydney in February.
(Reference: Rediff)
