England beat South Africa by 2 wkts in last ball of match!
By A.C De Silva
FLASHBACK: The game of cricket has had some very interesting
incidents through the passage of time down the years.
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Alex Bedser (England 4 for 39 in South Africa’s first
innings score of 161 |
Denis Compton – scored 72 in England’s first innings score
of 253 |
Taking a head count of the matches, I mean the Test matches, played,
that's of the 1,051 Test matches played upto the end of 1986 season,
only one match has been won off the last possible ball.
It happened in Kingsmead, Durban on 20th December 1948 in the match
between England and South Africa. England beat South Africa by 2 wickets
off the final ball with a leg-bye.
England's 9th wicket pair - Alec Bedser and Cliff Gladwin needed 8
runs from the final 8-ball over from Lindsay Tuckett.
With the lead up to the exciting finish, Bedser brought the scores
level off the sixth ball. At this stage all four results were possible.
Gladwin missed the seventh ball. He also missed the last ball. It
bounced off his thigh and the batsmen managed to scamper a leg-bye.
Earlier on, in the first innings, South Africa could score only 161
in the face of some accurate bowling by Alec Bedser (4 for 39) and Cliff
Gladwin (3 for 21). The bowlers were aided by some outstanding fielding.
Came England's turn to bat, Len Hutton made a crisp 83 and Dennis
Compton contributed 72 and this pair guided England along and helped
them to a total of 253 - that gave them a lead of 92 runs.
Mann 6/59 for South Africa
"Tuffy" Mann (6 for 59) and Athol Rowan (4 for 108) were the pick of
the South African bowlers.
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Len Hutton scored 83 in England’s first innings total of 253 |
Douglas Wright 4 for England in South Africa’s second
innings total of 219 |
In the second innings, South Africa were all out for 219. Wade made
63. England's Douglas Wright was the leading bowler and he took 4 for
72. The game was poised for an exciting finish with England needing 128
runs for a win in 135 minutes play. Five minutes were lost due to injury
to Dudley Nourse and a sharp shower reduced play by a further 12
minutes. England went for the runs from the first ball. England's 8th
wicket fell at 116, still 12 runs needed and only two wickets to fall.
South Africa's 19-year-old speedster Cuan McCarthy who claimed six
wickets in his debut, seemed to be on the kill.
Victory run - a bye
The light further deteriorated. It was so dark, either side could
have appealed against the light, but neither did. Gladwin offered a
catch off the first ball he received but was dropped. The fielder could
not see the ball! With three balls remaining, England needed two more
runs to win with two wickets in hand. Bedser levelled the score with two
balls left. Gladwin had a mighty swipe but missed the seventh ball.Now
the important final delivery. Bedser and Gladwin, perhaps, decided to
run come what may. Gladwin again failed to connect, the ball hit his
thigh and the batsman galloped to glory.England won off the final ball
with a leg bye!
Both Bedser and Gladwin executed a one-step dance on the field to
celebrate this moment.
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