The 10 most memorable sights
in World Cup ’99

By Ashwini Bhatnagar

It doesn’t get bigger than this, runs the punchline in one of the advertisements for the World Cup 1999. What it forgets is that it doesn’t get better than this. Obviously, when the line was written by a bright kid in an advertising office, the "size does matter" ad-line was dominating the psyche of the writer or a team of writers. So the qualitative aspect of the Cup,which is now past the Super Sixes stage, was largely overlooked. Twelve of the best teams in the world kicked off this tournament, each trying to showcase the best available talent in their country. Almost every day since mid-May, teams, and specifically individual players, have put their best foot forward and enthralled millions of fans across the globe with the brilliance of their art. But cricket is also a craft and a perfectly honed craft is a sight which overwhelms the avid watcher of this game with its brilliance.

At the close of the Super Sixes stage, though the boys have been separated from the men, some memorable moments stand out and they will continue to remain etched in collective memory of cricket fans for times to come. This edition of the World Cup, till this stage, will be remembered for the following images:

1. Sachin Tendulkar leaving England following the death of his father in Mumbai: One cannot recall any other instance in recent times when the death of an icon’s kith and kin has tugged at the heart strings of so many people scattered all across the world. Sports broadcasters interrupted their telecast to condole with the Superman of Cricket on the demise of his father. The image of Sachin coming out of the airport in Mumbai, unshaved and ashen, will, perhaps, go down in sports history as revealing the human side of a run machine. Spontaneously, millions of hearts went out to console the Boy Wonder in his hour of greatest grief.

The total dominance of Sachin on the World Cup when it started can be gauged from the fact that the question that was immediately asked was whether he would come back to scintillate the fans with his batting in such a big event. The answer came quickly—Sachin would do his duty for the country. The gesture, in spite of the tragedy at home, further cemented the image that he is made of the stuff which goes into making legendary super heroes. Sachin returned and the following day scored 140 unbelievable runs. He dedicated his effort against pressing odds to his father. A good son, a good citizen and a good cricketer — a role model was confirmed in his pedestal for many, many years to come. This is an abiding image which will never really erode from collective memory.

2. Saurav Ganguly’s magic touch: There is no one quite like Saurav. His batting is poetry in motion. He is graceful and stylish, a relief to sore eyes--so fluent is his batsmanship. His innocent face and the boyish manner hide an artiste who can turn hostile bouncy pace into a linear flow. There is no awkwardness in him and he is a sight to behold when he gets going. His 97 and 183 are perhaps among the best seen in recent times in one-day internationals. If he can cut and place delicately, he can also hit with awesome power. Remember the seven sixes that he hit on his way to the record-breaking 183? A neat timer of the ball, Saurav’s batting has been one of the most pleasant sights in the opening stages of the Cup.

3. Dravid’s genius: He was once written off as one who was only good enough for Test matches. Rahul, it was said, was so technically perfect that he would find it impossible to improvise his shots for one dayers. But the supreme craftsman has proved every one wrong. He made his mark as soon as the tournament began by hitting two consecutive centuries. The first was with Sachin, who also hit a ton, and the second with Saurav when the duo went on to create a world record partnership of 318 runs. Through the Cup, Dravid has played as a classical player would. He is copybook to the "T" and yet a run-getter in an event which is characterised by slamming and slogging. In fact, Dravid, in his own quiet manner, has shown to the world that there is another way to play the one-day game—in the manner it has always been played. He is no cross-batter or a crude hauler. Even when the circumstances dictate that the bat be thrown around mindlessly, Dravid studies the situation like a classical scholar of the game and tunes his batting in such a manner that though runs are scored, elegance, style and correct technique are not compromised. If in the last edition of the Cup, Sanath Jaysuriya showed what slogging can do, the 1999 edition will be remembered for what the right method and sober application can achieve. Dravid’s batting shows the meaninglesness of everything connected with slogging and shows him as a class apart. In fact, videos of his innings in this Cup should be made a must-watch for all young players—so correct he is in his batting.

4. Sohaib Akhtar’s junoon: Is that a bird, a plane or a bowler? As Sohaib starts his run up from somewhere near the exit of the stadium, one is often tempted to ask this question. From a distance, he appears like a bird—-a hawk swooping down on his prey. Hair flying, sinews taut and the run up all sweet motion. As he whistles past the half- way mark, one is tempted to think that it was a plane—the whoosh and the draft are almost akin to that of a plane taking off. But, of course, he is only a bowler—a very very different bowler. In fact, he is a man possessed and come what may he is determined to break the 100 miles per hour barrier. Jeff Thomson couldn’t do it in his heydays. He had clocked 99.7 miles per hour.

Sohaib, of course, has till now been clocked at 95 miles or so. But the passion in his eyes says it all—he is in England and he will do it come what may. What makes Sohaib so very different, therefore, is the junoon. No other player in this Cup has it written all over him as Sohaib has. He is a dynamo, whose only purpose while bowling is to see the wickets of the opposition lying in a heap. Hence, he doesn’t like it when he gets hit. He makes his displeasure public as he cannot contain it. Cricket rules forbid such reactions, but with Sohaib a concession should be made. He is not being rude. He is rather angry at himself for putting in so much in the delivery and yet not making it perfect enough to castle the batsman. Sohaib, whether he achieves that 100 miles per hour mark or not, will be the most enduring and awesome image of this World Cup.

5. Jonty Rhode’s perfect 10: If points were awarded in cricket for athleticism, Jonty Rhodes would have scored a perfect 10. This man is amazing. He can achieve feats in stopping, throwing or catching a ball which appear well nigh impossible even for the best fielders. There is nothing even remotely sloppy about him. Day after day and match after match, Jonty has performed to perfection. Remember that catch which he first stopped the ball with his right hand jumping high in the air and then turned around to hold it as it was dropping to the ground? Besides, the athletics involved in bringing about such a superb catch, the concentration of the man while doing so is a treat to watch. It will stay long in our mind’s eye.

6. Hansie Cronje professionalism: If cricketing strategy was taught at the Harvard Business School, the South Africa captain would be the don. He has studiously worked towards making cricket into a professional exercise akin to the "science" of production or marketing Cronje has taken into account every possibility and appears to have worked out all the permutations and combinations which go into making the game of cricket a game of "glorious uncertainties." With Cronje leading, one can be reasonably sure that the gameplan has been given enough thought and each member of the squad has been briefed about the role that he has to play. In fact, the reassurance and the confidence that comes out of planning and strategising much before the match as also the fact that the team knows the route to victory, makes his leadership heads and shoulder above the rest. The self-confidence of the team and its belief in the captain makes for an ideal which every team should try and emulate. Just the sight of a well-crafted, supremely confident South African team walking in to field is worth the Cup and much more.

7. Wasim Akram’s never-say-die approach: Wasim is a fighter to the core and much of that ability is being showcased in the current World Cup. Though dogged by controversy at home and in England, he has so far come out trumps in all encounters, save one. That too was because the Pakistanis still let their hearts and passions rule, unlike Cronje and his men who plan coldly and precisely. Wasim has bowled his heart out and has been, perhaps, the best bowler in terms of line, length and accuracy than the rest. Though his wicket haul is still nothing to write home about, he has come in at critical junctures to give Pakistan the winning edge.

8. Klusener’s not outs: One cannot really recollect any other time when a batsman has gone not out for so long despite playing innings of 40s and 50s. Also, it will take some doing to recollect if some one has been right near the top in terms of wickets taken and topping the list of the man of the match awards. In fact, whether it is with the bat or the ball, Klussner has performed with clockwork precision. His has been a truly memorable run so far.

9. Geoff Boycott and Sunil Gavaskar: The high point of the Cup are the expert comments of Sunny and Geoff—- and the running battle that they have carried on on air. Sunny has particularly used harsh language to condemn the facilities being provided at the various stadia. He once even went to the extent of saying," This is terri-ble..awful...if this is what you have and you call yourself developed then go to the subcontinent and see what development is all about." Geoff and Sunny have still not been able to sort out between themselves whether Sachin should open or play lower down the order. Geoff, however, has minced no words on this and several other issues and given it back as good as he has got. A well-matched pair whose comments will be remembered for a long time to come.

10. Apple Singh: Espn’s mascot. Witty and as rustic as they are found at home. He is ideal for the break between innings when you want to bring the smile back on your face. "I love Kenya.I love England. They are playing to help India to get to the Super Sixes," he had said early on in the competition.