Viv’s Farewell Brings Victory at Canterbury – Ed Bevan
After 37 years protecting Glamorgan, it was a troublesome choice to resolve on the very best recreation I had watched, however I lastly determined that within the context of ”a recreation”, that will be a contest that began and resulted in a day.
The 12 months was 1993 and Glamorgan had not gained any type of a contest for 24 years, when Tony Lewis led them to their second County Championship title. Destiny had introduced Kent and Glamorgan, the 2 high groups, collectively within the 50-over AXA Fairness and Regulation League in a winner-take-all contest on the St. Lawrence floor in Canterbury.
In these days the County Championship video games would happen through the opening three days, the at some point recreation on a Sunday adopted by the ultimate County Championship day on the subsequent day. Glamorgan had spent a day and a half within the area on Friday and Saturday, as Kent racked up 524 for six earlier than declaring.
I all the time stayed at The Bat and Ball Inn at Canterbury, a pleasing hostelry throughout the street from the bottom. On the morning of the sport I used to be woken up at round 4.30, and as I regarded by way of the window there have been automobiles parked on the street with police in attendance.
There was no incident, solely supporters arriving in the beginning of what can be a momentous day of cricket. At mid-day the bottom was full, 1000’s of Glamorgan supporters have been in attendance and a jazz band performed to create a beautiful event.
Kent gained the toss and batted, and regardless of shedding an early wicket, Matthew Fleming and Carl Hooper shared a helpful partnership. Nevertheless, after the West Indian Take a look at batsman had fallen to Steve Barwick’s slower ball, the opposite batsmen have been contained by an correct assault and the final 5 wickets fell for fourteen runs, that means a goal of 201 was effectively inside Glamorgan’s attain.
The dependable Steve James went cheaply, however Hugh Morris and Adrian Dale took the rating to 84 earlier than Duncan Spencer, born in Burnley however introduced up in Australia, bowled as fast a spell that Glamorgan’ batsmen had encountered all season if not of their careers.
Dale, after taking part in and lacking on the first three balls from Spencer, was out on the different finish earlier than Matthew Maynard, who had been a doubt earlier than the sport with a neck damage, was out to Spencer shortly afterwards. Morris high scored with 67, and when he was out Glamorgan had two new batsmen on the crease.
Then adopted 20 minutes of drama as Vivian Richards, in his final however one innings of his profession (he would play his ultimate knock the next day) sauntered on to the sector to the largest reception I’ve ever seen on a cricket floor.
The spectators across the floor rose as one and applauded him till he was on the crease. It was extremely emotional to explain the second, and I made a decision to let the listeners take pleasure in and seize it.
The drama continued as Spencer raced in, struck Viv on the shoulder, beat him exterior the off stump after which struck him on the chest. The house crowd roared, Glamorgan’s supporters went quiet and even quieter when Spencer bowled the West Indies best batsman a brief ball that Viv pulled – to not the boundary however gently up into the air the place it was simply caught.
What an anti-climax we thought, however unseen to many, umpire David Fixed had his arm outstretched, signalling a no-ball as Viv turned to the pavilion. That was successfully that for Kent as Richards quickly settled and with Tony Cottey an ready accomplice, the 2 placed on 60 to win the sport with 14 balls to spare.
Cue pandemonium, as the group surrounded the balcony. Viv was in tears within the dressing room and the singing began.
A heavy evening of Welsh celebration began, as we mirrored on a memorable event when, on a wonderful September afternoon, Glamorgan had began what can be the start of a profitable period, culminating in a 3rd championship success 4 years later.
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