When cricket was killed
The story I am about to tell you is very disheartening, at least for an ardent sports lover.
In late 1991, when the apartheid regime (Apartheid was a political and social system that enforced racial discrimination against non-whites) was still in place and the free elections had yet to be held, with Nelson Mandela’s blessings, South Africa was encouraged to compete in the Cricket World Cup 1992 to be held in Australia and New Zealand. So South Africa, after their 22 years of exile in cricket, could finally participate in this international event.
The ICC agreed, but on one condition: They wanted a positive outcome on the referendum to end apartheid. Though the problem here was that the referendum would take place during the world cup tournament
So, a compromise was reached.
South Africa would play in the world cup tournament BUT they would be sent back, in the middle of the tournament, if the referendum didn’t succeed.
Imagine after 22 years of exile in cricket, when the team was finally given a chance to play for their nation, there was a possibility that they might be ejected from the tournament if their nation decides that whites would continue to dominate the non-whites. Let that digest in! The slight tiny flipside here was that the South African players could enjoy all the games they play in the tournament since any game could be their last game on an international stage.
So, it was in 1992 that South Africa emerged after their 22 years of exile in cricket. And they did that in style. In their opening match, they beat the defending champions — Australia — by 9 wickets on their home ground in Sydney.
The tournament continued in full swing, and so did the determined South African team. Amongst breath-taking knocks, glorious run-outs and magical bowling spells, the South African team, against all odds, made it to the semi-finals.
The video of this run out still gives me goosebumps every time I watch it. The passion for the game truly created magic.
A couple of days before the semi-final, the referendum was held. The results revealed 68.73% of the 2.8 million people who voted were in favour of dismantling the discriminatory establishment. Apartheid had ended, and the country was reborn.
And yes this meant that South Africa could play in the semi-final.
Imagine how wonderful a gift the world cup trophy could have been for the inauguration of the new South Africa!
South Africa vs England, the infamous Semi-final match
Let’s first understand the two rules that were a part of the 1992 world cup. These new rules were supposed to make the game fairer but as you will soon find out, these rules turned a thrilling match into the greatest farce ever in the game’s history.
- Rain Rule: When rain interrupted the second innings of a match, the reduction in the target was to be proportional to the lowest scoring overs of the side batting first. So, for example: If there are 5 maidens bowled by the team fielding first, and then the rain interrupts the match and reduce the chase to 45 overs, then the team chasing will have to chase the actual target in 45 overs since the least productive overs were these 5 maidens where no run was scored.
- Time Restriction: Before satellite TV infiltrated Asia and every square inch of player uniforms was sold to sponsors, Australia was one of the most commercialised countries when it came to cricket. In 1992, it meant TV dictating match timings. Australian TV didn’t allow any flexibility in case of delays. So you got to bat for only as many overs were bowled in the three and a half hours allocated per innings. There would be no readjustment to make up for denying the batting side their slog overs.
Now let’s see what happened on the day of the semi-final.
South Africa won the toss, and as a shocker to everyone, decided to bowl first. Why a shocker? Because there had been enough instances in the tournament where the rain rule had changed the course of the match. When the South African captain was asked the reason, he said, and I quote[6]:
“Yeah, it is a calculated risk. If it rains [and] we are bowling, it is not too bad. The problem comes if you are batting tonight and it rains, but that is a risk we are prepared to take”
Here’s the calculated risk he was talking about: South Africa had won all three games in which they had chased before this (twice after winning the toss); they had lost three out of five batting first, including against England, who had won three of their four completed matches chasing.
So, England was put to bat first. You remember the Time Restriction rule we talked about earlier? That comes into the picture now. By the time, the allotted time was over, South Africa had bowled only 45 overs. So, England was deprived of its slog overs. Whether it was cynical from South Africa or not, the fact remains that England didn’t get fair use of their quota of overs.
South Africa now had to chase 253 in 45 overs.
English players enraged, and rightly so, didn’t leave any stone unturned. Their ferocious bowling attack left South Africa reeling at 131 for 4 after 27 overs. Though South Africa, with their attitude of playing any game as their last game, bounced back. The electrifying innings from Jonty Rhodes followed by the quick knocks from McMillan and Richardson, helped South Africa reach 231 with 13 balls left.
22 runs needed in 13 balls in the World cup Semi-Final match! Everyone was on the edge of their seats. This was turning out to be a thrilling competition that every cricket lover wants to witness.
And then it started raining.
The rain rule was applied, and so the least productive overs for England — the two brilliant maiden overs by Pringle, were removed. Though, even this information was relayed incorrectly to the South African team. They were told that they needed 22 off 7 balls. Difficult, but not impossible. But when the South African players walked into the field, they were informed that they don’t have 7 balls but just 1 ball.
So, now 22 needed off just 1 ball.
The dejected South African batters went to the field to play the last ball. With McMillan’s single off the last ball, the match was over. The rules were followed, but the cricket died. Just so that the broadcasting companies can earn some more money, the dreams of a resurgent cricketing superpower were shattered.
And that’s how South Africa was robbed of an opportunity to reach the Cricket World Cup Final. All the cricket lovers would have shed a tear that day!
PS: There’s an amazing video that explains this incident very beautifully (This answer is courtesy to the video as well): When greed reigned Supreme
