Umpire forced to break ICC rule as Steve Waugh ducked a beer bottle at Barbados
At Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados the hostile crowd went mad. Probably, the most intolerant crowd cricket had ever seen.
The cricket world knew the passion of cricket in Carribean island. But, the hostile crowd were sinking in enjoying chanting in a hostile manner for a batsman, who scored 50 off 90. It was a rare sight in a cricket field. The pitch was taking a shower in Beer bottles.
The reason was Sherwin Campbell’s running between the wicket was blocked by Australian bowler Brendon Julian at Barbados, where everything moves very slow, people did not have anything to do other than sleep in cricket.
Barbados fans are known as the most knowledgeable crowd in the Carribean, but could not resist their emotions when they came to the stadium to support their team. They were blind and hostile at the Kensington Oval stadium. They love the game but did not care about the facts and sights of the game. In 1979 during a World series match at the same ground crowd did the same thing by chanting- “we want Roy Fredricks back”. Fredricks was given lbw.
However, let’s go back to the ugly incident of 1999. Steve Waugh lead Australia touring West Indies for seven-match ODI series. It was the final ODI. West Indies were trailing the series 2-3.
So, the match drew the strong crowd at the stands. Australia, batting first, scored a respectable 252 for 9. Pacers Reon King took three wickets while Mervyn Dillion two. Australia top order had added only 80 runs conceding 5 wickets. But, tail, especially Tom Moody and Shaun Lee scored 50 and 47 respectively to post a respectable total on board.
West Indies while chasing the target got to a good start from opening pair Ridley Jacob and Sherwin Campbell. They added 99 runs from the first wicket partnership. Jacob had scored 54.
The crowd were in the celebratory mood as West Indies were at the good position. Captain Jimmy Adams was retired hurt scoring 37 while Shivnarine Chanderpaul scored 31. After the 29th over West Indies were 138 for 2. But, beer bottles started flying in the ground when Brendon Julien blocked Sherwin Campbell’s running between the wicket. Micheal Bevan ran him out.
Campbell fell on the pitch but umpire decided to give him out. The crowd were not convinced by umpire’s decision they started chanting “we want Campbell back”. They were smiling while chanting the chorus. The commentator said that the crowd probably were enjoying the protest.
Australia had no other option but to shelter in the dressing room. Police cordoned the stadium, one of the beer bottles was going towards captain Steve Waugh’s head when he was heading back to the dressing room. Waugh ducked it, otherwise, things could have been worse.
The crowd was too much blind as Campbell’s unfortunate run out was only the second incident in the match. Micheal Bevan was run out in the similar style in the first innings.
However, the umpire had to break the ICC rules in order to bring Campbell back. The police told Australia that they could not ensure them safety, so Steve Waugh had withdrawn the appeal against Campbell.
Aspar Duckworth/Lewis method West Indies had to score in 196 in 40 overs. West Indies won the match in 37 overs with 8 wickets in hand. Campbell, who was given run out for 50 off 90 balls, finally scored 60 before caught behind the wicket off Michael Bevan.
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