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A golden over

Posted on | March 2, 2010 | 1 Comment

On Sunday 28th Feb New Zealand v Australia 20/20 in Christchurch was tied.

You won’t see a better 20/20 innings than this, McCullam’s century was full of inventive strokes and brutal pulls and slogs. The Aussie bowlers tried fast Yorkers, some at 155K’s from Shaun Tait – but McCullam moved so fast outside off stump –got so low quickly and helped the ball over the wicket keeper for 6’s.

No fluke – he did it a few times to different bowlers.

It didn’t matter whether it was a perfect yorker – a low full toss or a full half volley he was that good he could adjust and make a boundary. The Australian bowlers were as amazed as the spectators that even they started to smile at the outrageous and perfect stroke play. It was a brilliant and exceptional innings. If you get a chance to watch it then don’t miss it and make time because it was one of those innings that are very special.

The match was a tie and I like this new innovation of a golden over to find a winner in a tied 20/20 match. A golden over ie: each team nominated it’s guy to bowl 6 balls and the batting side could choose whatever batting order it wished. It is just like a penalty shoot out that decides Cup matches at Football.

I think it is a great idea to find a winner. The whole concept of 20/20 is to give the spectators fast all action entertainment in a short space of time. Many people who come to 20/20 are not connoisseurs of cricket. They just want to have fun and an extra 15 or 20 minutes of high drama just rounded off a splendid day with everyone going home knowing New Zealand were the eventual winners.

Congratulations to Australia and New Zealand for putting on a magnificent spectacle because the real winner was the game of cricket. All those spectators will come to cricket again.

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