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    Steve Harmison feels strongly about suggestions that he came out of one-day retirement in order to play the Stanford Twenty20 for 20

    Sep 7, 2008

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    Do it, Shiv

    By Ian last year, mid-June Leave a comment on this post


    © Getty Images    Modern Test batsmen talk long and hard about ‘playing for the lads’, belittling their own efforts as part of a team collective, which is all very commendable and, of course, a load of old baloney. The best batsmen are selfish and will, more often than not, bat for themselves, which is fair enough. And while they wouldn’t ever wish misfortune on their team-mates, the very best Test innings usually demand that most of the ‘lads’ get out cheaply, while our hero achieves team glory almost single-handedly.

    With this in mind, I was trying to think this morning of the best innings in recent memory, where the successful batsman must have stood at the crease during his knock in the second innings thinking, “if I’m out, that’s it”. Laxman and Dravid against the Aussies at Eden Park in 2001 was a great example of one more wicket and it’s over; as was Athers’ 185 at Jo’burg in 1996; or even Mahela Jayawardene’s hundred at Lords’ last year. The problem with being an Aussie batsman is that there is usually at least one other who makes runs too, but Ponting’s rear-guard 156 at Old Trafford in 2005 stands out. I am sure there are many others, not least by Adam Gilchrist, although did they ever avert certain defeat?

    My favourite for sheer excitement was Lara’s unbeaten 153 to beat the Aussies at Bridgetown in 1999. If Shiv Chanderpaul goes on to score 160 to win today, will that be even better? Agreed, Harmison and Plunkett are not McGrath, Gillespie and Warne. And there won’t be the same swash-buckling bravado. Besides, he hasn’t done it yet! But could anyone begrudge the West Indies this moment?

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    8 Responses to “Do it, Shiv”

  • The Bear wrote:
    June 11th, 2007 at 9.51 am

    I imagine that throughout the early 90s Graham Gooch would stand at one end thinking “if I get out that’s it” almost every innings, although he would also be safe in the knowledge that even if he did stay at the crease forever the other 10 would happily donate their wickets.

    Now whilst I often find myself cheering on the oppo in ODI cricket (hoping that yet another loss will lead to a major shake-up) I’ve never hoped we lose a test before. But I hope we lose this one. It would be a major thrill for the Windies, and would really bring back some pride to that team. I’d love to see Darren Sammy hit the winning runs, ideally off a Harmison long hop.

    Harmison was bowling ok yesterday - not well, just not as appallingly as he has done recently. For some reason this means he will probably keep his place. Looks like Plunkett’s for the chop though, thankfully, now tthat Hoggy is fit…

  • Irim wrote:
    June 11th, 2007 at 9.57 am

    No one could begrudge the West Indies this. I hope they do it - that would be fantastic.

    I only wish I’d placed a bet on their winning this Test on Friday or early Saturday. £10 would have earned me…what, around £300?

    *sigh*

    Ixx

  • Will Davies wrote:
    June 11th, 2007 at 10.29 am

    Agreed. Given neither team has done anything that merits a test victory over the last four days, it would be more appropriate if the game is won by individual heroics. I’ll be rooting for Chanderpaul

  • marcus wrote:
    June 11th, 2007 at 11.57 am

    As an undying Mark Waugh fan, I’d have to say that his 116 at Port Elizabeth in ‘96 has to be up there- even if I never saw it. But it had to have been a great innings if only one other could even manage 50.

  • Binit wrote:
    June 11th, 2007 at 8.49 pm

    My choice would be Shivnarine Chanderpual in many innings he has played lately - without winning the match for his Windies team.

    This Left handed is some form for almost 2 years now, but somehow never won a match to glamorize his true brilliance.

    Anyways, I’m disappointed that you termed Eden Garden’s 2001 innings as Eden Park, which actually is a ground in New Zealand.

  • Kathy wrote:
    June 11th, 2007 at 8.53 pm

    Why does Shiv paint the black and white stripes under his eyes? I’ve seen American baseball players do it, too. Is it something to do with reducing glare?

  • Chris wrote:
    June 12th, 2007 at 2.19 am

    Baseballers do it to reflect glare, but with Shiv its a sponsorship thing I think.

  • bobom wrote:
    June 13th, 2007 at 10.46 am

    @ the Bear - quite right!
    I remember one innings of Gooch’s in particular - the first test against the Windies in ‘91…
    A difficult pitch, a low scoring match, and Gooch carried his bat in the second innings for 154* out of 252, and England went on to win.
    An amazing, back to the wall innings on a green wicket against an attack consisting of Ambrose, Marshall, Walsh and Patterson…

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