Cricket at its most thrilling

Records fell like nine pins in this year's World Cup cricket till the group stage contest. Chris Gayle's 215 score was the highest and first double tons in any World Cup match. De Villers then put paid to Gayle's superhuman feat in the previous match by scoring 165, second highest in any WC. A New Zealand pair amassed the record runs for the third wicket. Sri Lankan veterans Dilshan and Sangakara posted centuries against Bangladesh to take the record to a new high.
All these are memorable feats by master willow wielders but yet no two matches lived up to the most gripping contest as the one between the Afghans and Scots -two associate ICC members and  the other between the two fancied favourites New Zealand and Australia. For Afghanistan, it was their first victory in the World Cup. And how it was achieved! When hopes had all but disappeared, one man's bravery pulled them through. Marvellous, wasn't it?
Yet it must be admitted that the result produced in that match had little bearing on the overall proceedings of the tournament. To the Afghans it surely was a fairy-tale journey's most savouring moment. Victory for either of the two sides was not going to cause upset either in the group leg or at the knockout stage. Its significance lies in the fact that the war-torn nation's induction into cricket indicates a bright future. Their late entry into the game and lack of facilities and patronage could not restrain them from displaying what they are capable of.
However, it was the titans' clash between the Aussies and the New Zealand that was at the centre of attention on the last day of February. When the most feared batting line-up of the Australian team succumbed to 106 for nine, the scoreboard gave the most pathetic look possible. Had Brad Haddin, Aussie wicket-keeper not delivered some lusty hits to the rope and beyond, the total could have cause them a blush for years to come. Even 151 runs looked such a small total, particularly so when the black caps were 77 for only one wicket, that many spectators thought it unwise to spend time on such a one-sided game!
But lo! What awaited them was beyond imagination. Mitchell Starc put up a leviathan show by reducing the New Zealanders to 146 for nine. He was even on a hat-trick ball which he could not capitalise on. A young New Zealander in the form of Ken Williamson then belted a six to clinch the match in favour of the Kiwis. So the game had everything -excitement, suspense and fluctuating fortunes and above everything else the result that could go either way -- in it cricket lovers so expect from a classic match. Those who left the Eden Park gallery or the TV set early, will rue for their entire lives for doing so. The match has lived up to the billing on all counts. For the first time bowlers, most disadvantaged for a number of restrictions imposed on them by the ICC, ruled the roost. Bould and Starc put up a most feared but yet beautiful display of fast bowling. Limited over cricket was not for the batsmen only. Bowlers really dominated the match for the first time in this WC.
The cricketing minnows have once again crumbled before the established sides. But a few have proved their prowess all right. As for Bangladesh, there is a chance for qualifying for the quarter-finals. Their victory over Scotland by chasing the highest ever total is worth celebrating. It has given the platform and confidence enough for improving their performance in the next game against England. This year's scores show that most pitches have runs. On Thursday, the wicket was placid but it may not be same the next time. So stay prepared for bounce and swing as well. If the Tigers can come out in such a test, they will fulfil the expectation of the nation.