Lots of teams have failed to comply with the batting they are expected to do. But, it does not matter much when a small team fails, but it costs a lot more when a stronger nation dwindles. Let us have a look into 10 such heinous and contemptible incidences where the so-called stronger teams failed to deliver according to their potentials:-
England – 14th June, 2001 provided a severe blow to the Queen’s army. England’s batting failure at the Old Trafford against the baggy greens was very humiliating. England were given a soft target of just 202 runs, which they failed to achieve in front of the Gillespie storm. McGrath, Warne and Symonds took 2 wickets each. England were bundled for 86 which happens to be their lowest score in ODIs.
Australia – In the tri-series tournament, the humble neighbours to the Aussies, the Kiwis, made the kangaroos limp after a shameful score of 70 at the expense of all of the 10 wickets. Adelaide remained the eye-witness to the incident on 27th January, 1986.
South Africa – The ground at Sydney observed its boys in baggy green loot apart the Afros for a mere sum of 69 runs. On 14th December, 1993, four of the eleven Proteas scored failed to put up a single run on the scoreboard against their names. Glenn McGrath and Steve Waugh took two wickets each.
New Zealand – It was against Pakistan at the Sharjah in the 2nd semi-final, that the mighty kiwis were bowled out miserably for a just total of 64 runs. 15th April, 1986 remained the evidence of this heinous innings by the kiwis. Pakistan’s lethal bowling attack nearly whitewashed the kiwis. Abdul Qadir was the most successful among the bowlers with a record of 10-6-9-4. Wasim Akram also proved to be quintessential in this masterpiece attack.
Bangladesh – It was in a group stage match of the 2011 ICC World Cup that the Carribeans almost whitewashed the Bangladesh batting line-up. Bangladesh once again proved that why they are being considered to be an over-hyped team. Mirpur, Dhaka witnessed its boys welcoming such a crumbling defeat against the Latins. Darren Sammy and Kemar Roach did all the devastation for the Carribeans. West Indies, however, chased down the target of 58 in just 12.2 overs for the loss of 1 wicket.
A point to be noted here is Bangladesh’s lowest score is now shared. They were once again bundled for 58 against India in the 2nd ODI in a bilateral series.
West Indies – Cape Town, South Africa on 25 January, 2004 clapped for its boys as the Proteas clutched the Carribean batting line up for a just of 54 runs and seriously challenged their batting strategies. Makhaya Ntini and Lance Klusener took 3 wickets each.
India – It was a black day for the Indians. The Sri Lankan charmers, led by Chaminda Vaas and Mutthiah Muralitharan smashed the Indian batting and sealed off India’s fate for the Sharjah Cup. India barely managed to pile up a total of 54 runs against the Lankan total of 299 runs.
Pakistan – The tri-series in 1993 put the Pakistan batting line-up into a serious test and ripped them apart for only 43 runs. The West Indian bowling attack didn’t even leave a single hole of hope for the Pakistanis to gasp into. Courtney Walsh picket up 4 wickets for just 16 runs. The match was held in Cape Town.
Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka collapsed for a sum total of just 43 runs against the mighty Proteas. Came down to chase a big total of 301 runs, the Lankans looked terribly feeble. They handed their wickets away as easily as child’s play. 11th January, 2012 and Paarl are the two most dreadful incidences that the Lankans would never ever want to recur in their near future.
Zimbabwe – 25th April, 2004 witnessed a heinous loss in terms of devoid of runs. Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe, garnered enough spectators who could barely manage to perceive such a loss. The Zimbabweans fell short in front of the Lankan trio, viz., Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando and Farveez Maharoof. None of the Zimbabwean batsmen could manage to reach the double figure score. They managed to score only 35 runs.
To sum it up, the full list goes here:
|
Team |
Opponent |
Score |
|
Australia |
86 |
|
|
New Zealand |
70 |
|
|
Australia |
69 |
|
|
Pakistan |
64 |
|
|
India, West Indies |
58 |
|
|
South Africa |
54 |
|
|
Sri Lanka |
54 |
|
|
West Indies |
43 |
|
|
South Africa |
43 |
|
|
Sri Lanka |
35 |