Bichel’s day in the sun
The best match of the 2003 World Cup was between two familiar rivals, England and Australia. They met in England’s final group match at Port Elizabeth on March 2, a match that they needed to win to progress. Australia, on the other hand, had blasted away all opposition in the group stage and were already in the Super Six.
They got off on the right foot with southpaw openers Marcus Trescothick and Nick Knight tearing off to post 66 runs in nine overs, punishing the impeccable Glenn McGrath and fiery Brett Lee.
Captain Ricky Ponting called in Andy Bichel, a sincere if unspectacular bowler, for the tenth over. Five balls later Nick Knight was walking back after he nicked a quick, rising delivery to Damien Martyn at wide first slip. In his next over he had Michael Vaughan caught behind and bowled English skipper Nasser Hussain. By this time it was obvious that Bichel had raised his levels at the sight of the old enemy; he was regularly bowling at 90mph, which was yards quicker than his average fare. Two balls later, McGrath dismissed Trescothick, and the score went from 66 without loss to 74 for four. Incoming batsman Paul Collingwood did not last long, edging a Bichel delivery to Adam Gilchrist behind the stumps.
Allrounder Andrew Flintoff and keeper Alec Stewart then added 90. Bichel, returning for his second spell, picked up his fifth when Flintoff edged one to the keeper for 45. In his very next over he clean-bowled Stewart for 46, and England’s resistance had been broken. They were all out for 204, with Bichel wrapping up the innings with his seventh wicket.
Andy Caddick bowled a superb opening spell to reduce Australia to 48 for four, taking all the wickets. That brought the one-day genius Michael Bevan to the crease, and he built a 63-run partnership with Darren Lehmann. Lehmann’s dismissal precipitated another collapse, and Australia were staring down the barrel at 135 for eight. Australia needed 70 runs from 74 balls with only Two wickets left.
Who should walk in then but Andy Bichel? The bowling hero wasn’t about to let his sterling efforts go to waste. Through an amazing partnership in which Bevan nudged and Bichel swung, Australia went within fourteen runs off victory with two overs left. Hussain threw the ball to Anderson, and Bichel promptly hit the second ball for six and the third for four, deciding the matter. Off the fourth ball of the last over Bevan smashed a four and sealed the deal, ending on an unbeaten 74 while Bichel remained not out on 34. Australia had overcome the only real challenge they had come across so far in the tournament, and would go on to win without having to work half as hard as they did in this match.
