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Reliance World Cup 1987: Mike Gatting’s infamous reverse sweep & other highlights

Walsh stopped and went back to his marker and Qadir knocked the winning runs of the last ball.

Updated: February 12, 2015 7:50 PM IST

By R Vishal

Reliance World Cup 1987: Mike Gatting's infamous reverse sweep & other highlights

1. West Indies vs Pakistan, Lahore: Courtney Walsh — Cricket’s great ambassador 

For the first time, co-hosts Pakistan got to test their abilities against the might of the West Indians. The Windes had moved on from their famous pace battery and had handed over the reins to fresh blood. They were coming into the contest after Viv Richards’ savage fest helped his team slaughter Sri Lanka. After electing to bat first, the Windies started well, Richards impressed too with a breezy half-century but Imran Khan reigned supreme. The Pakistan captain’s four-for ensured that that the hosts got to chase a modest score. Pakistan batsmen made heavy weather of it during its pursuit.

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Courtney Walsh was brilliant and after Saleem Yousuf set the tone with a fighting half-century, it was up to the tail to see the team through. Needing 14 from the last over, Abdul Qadir’s efforts reduced the equation to the Pakistanis needing two from the last ball. Walsh steamed in and non-striker Saleem Jaffar was miles out of his ground and the bowler had to just take off the bails to bring down curtains on the match. Walsh stopped and went back to his marker and Qadir knocked the winning runs of the last ball. Accolades poured in for the statuesque West Indies pacer, who had won hearts and written a timeless tale. Also Read: ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Schedule in IST: Time Table, Fixture & Venue Details of all WC 2015 Matches

2. Vivian Richards’ destroys Sri Lanka

Skipper Brendon Kuruppu had decided to field first and his decision was justified when Ravi Ratnayeke had got rid of Carlisle Best and Richie Richardson. Trouble struck and the Master Blaster had to merely see off the hat-trick and stabilize the innings. With the stoic presence of Desmond Haynes at the other end, Richards was fluent but waited for the right time to unleash his destructive self. He reached his hundred of 91 balls and there was complete carnage at in Karachi. The bowlers were given a brutal cricketing lesson, not long after they harboured dreams of producing the unthinkable. Richards holed out for 181 off just 125 balls when it looked poised that he would complete his first double hundred.

3. Mike Gatting’s reverse sweep

Chasing 254, England were running away with it. Bill Athey and the English skipper were on the march and looked poised to chase down a formidable total. Having tried everything in his arsenal to break the partnership, Allan Border brought himself into the attack with his left-arm orthodox. Gatting tried a reverse sweep but failed to connect it and should have been a sign.

The classy English skipper didn’t stop and tried it once again against the same bowler; the ball bobbed up and wicketkeeper Greg Dyer took a safe catch. The Eden Gardens crowd, who had been rooting for the Aussies against the old colonists, broke into raptures. England never recovered and fell short by seven runs. Gatting’s innovation at the big stage fell flat on his face and was held culpable for England not bringing the cup home.

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