World Cup flashback: Great batting performances – III

Tags: World Cup flashback, Australia, Zimbabwe

Published on: Jan 27, 2015

With the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup just days away, we build up to the mega event by looking back at some fantastic batting performances in the tournament over the years.

With the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup just days away, we build up to the mega event by looking back at some fantastic batting performances in the tournament over the years. In this article, we look at Neil Johnson’s unbeaten 132 against Australia at Lord’s on June 9, 1999, which the latter won by 44 runs.

Teams

Australia: A Gilchrist, M Waugh, R Ponting, D Lehmann, S Waugh, M Bevan, T Moody, S Warne, D Fleming, P Reiffel and G McGrath

Zimbabwe: N Johnson, G Flower, M Goodwin, A Flower, A Campbell, G Whittall, D Viljoen, H Streak, P Strang, A Whittall and H Olonga

Toss: Zimbabwe won and chose to field

The setting: This was a Super Sixes clash between Zimbabwe and Australia. The South African nation had progressed to the Super Sixes stage rather surprisingly, primarily because they had beaten India in the first round. Still, not much was expected of them when they took on the Aussies, one of the strongest sides in the event. Zimbabwe had won the toss in the match, and decided to insert the Aussies in. The latter responded by putting up an impressive 303 for 4 on the board. Mark Waugh led the way with 104 from 120 balls with 13 fours. He was well supported by brother Steve who made 62 from 61 balls with five fours and two sixes. Ricky Ponting and Michael Bevan contributed 30s.

The great knock: While Zimbabwe were always expected to struggle in the match, the task became doubly difficult for them after the Aussies posted 300 plus on the board. Neil Johnson though ensured the Zimbabweans did not go down without a fight. There had been talks of Johnson being a high-quality all-rounder in the run up to the World Cup. And Johnson chose the biggest stage to prove himself. Earlier in the day, he had claimed two crucial Aussie wickets, that of openers Adam Gilchrist and Mark Waugh. But, it was with the bat that he really shone on the wonderful day at Lord's.

Opening the innings, Johnson returned unbeaten on a quite magnificent 132 from 144 balls, a knock comprising 14 fours and two sixes. The quality of the knock can be gauged from the fact that it came against an attack comprising McGrath, Fleming, Warne and Reiffel. Johnson rarely looked in any sort of trouble against these genuine match-winners with the ball. For Zimbabwe, a win or loss did not matter that much. The knock by Johnson had made them proud irrespective.

The result: For the record, Australia clinched the match by 44 runs. There wasn't much support for Johnson as Zimbabwe finished on 259 for 6. Murray Goodwin's 47 was the only other score of note. Paul Reiffel picked up three wickets for Australia.

--By A Cricket Analyst

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