World Cup: 10 unforgettable fielding moments

From Jonty Rhodes to Dwayne Leverock, World Cups have witness some iconic fielding moments in its history. Nishad Pai Vaidya picks 10 most unforgettable fielding moments.

From Jonty Rhodes to Dwayne Leverock, World Cups have witness some iconic fielding moments in its history. Nishad Pai Vaidya picks 10 most unforgettable fielding moments. 

1:  Viv Richards gets three important run-outs in 1975 World Cup final

West Indies had set an imposing 292 to win for Australia at Lord’s at the back of Clive Lloyd’s magnificent century. Australia were going well with Alan Turner and Ian Chappell building a partnership. Fielding inside the ring, Richards first ran out Turner with a direct hit for 40. The Chappell brothers then strung together a small partnership before Greg’s stay ended with Richards effecting another run-out.  Then Ian, going steady on 62, was run-out by another piece of fielding brilliance by Richards. Australia thus had lost their second, third and fourth wicket to Richards’ athleticism on the field. The game was in the balance when Richards turned it around with his mastery.

2:  Deryck Murray runs out Jeff Thomson to help West Indies clinch the 1975 World Cup

Australia collapsed after the Richards’ show and were almost out of the game at 233 for nine. But Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee stitched together a dramatic 41-run stand which gave West Indies a bit of a scare. On one occasion, the crowd had come swarming out as well, leading to confusion about the number of runs scored by the batsmen. But, the moment finally arrived for the West Indies when ‘keeper Deryck Murray threw the ball underarm at the stumps to run-out Jeff Thomson, who had charged down the wicket and missed a ball from Vanburn Holder.

3:  Clive Lloyd drops Geoff Boycott in 1979 World Cup final

Was it a deliberate drop? In their second consecutive World Cup final, West Indies setup a target of 287 for the hosts England. Mike Brearley and Geoff Boycott, opened the batting and perhaps took the word “solid” too seriously. Unmindful of the fact that it was a limited-overs game, the duo mindlessly consumed copious overs without showing a sense of urgency to get the runs. Boycott, who was working the ball around, suddenly tried to hit Richards over mid-wicket. Lloyd came around and seemed to have caught it, but juggled it once before letting the ball from his grasp. The task then became too tall for England. Though Lloyd denied claims that he has dropped it deliberately, many still feel that was perhaps it was a strategically good decision to let the two bat as long as possible because they were doing the West Indies great service. Brearley and Boycott batted for over 30 overs and scored on 129 runs.

4:  Kapil Dev takes a stunning catch to dismiss Viv Richards and spark the West Indies collapse

The dominant West Indians looked set to take their third world title in a row when they bundled the spirited Indians out for 183 in the 1983 World Cup final at Lord’s. With some big names in their line-up, the target looked a cinch, although Balvinder Singh Sandhu’s magic delivery had Gordon Greenidge out early. Richards walked out and was ready to impose himself on the Indian bowlers, who looked hapless in front of his dominant charge. Richards seemed to be in a hurry to finish the game and had raced to 33 off 27 balls as he took strike to Madan Lal, who had borne the brunt of his fury. The Indian medium-pacer bowled a gentle half-tracker and Richards pulled it towards square-leg. Kapil Dev ran back, focussed on the ball, following its trajectory and caught it in front of his face while running back — spectacular in every sense of the word. West Indies were now 57 for three and there began the collapse and paved the way for India’s finest hour in cricket.

5:  Martin Crowe’s stunner ends Dave Houghton’s masterclass

New Zealand and Zimbabwe were involved in battle wits at Hyderabad during the 1987 World Cup. Martin Crowe’s 72 had helped the Kiwis put up a score of 242 for seven. In reply, Zimbabwe were in doldrums at 104 for seven when Iain Butchart joined Dave Houghton, who had walked in at No. 3 and had waged a lone battle. In tandem, they put up a fighting stand to push towards the total. Houghton moved past his ton and was blazing away at more than a run-a-ball. With 22 runs to get, Houghton, now on 142, made room to a delivery from Martin Snedden and lofted it high over mid-on. Crowe ran back from mid-on, watched it, and noticed that it was to go over his head and fall before him. Keeping his eye on the ball, he continued to dash and as it came down, he dived forward to take a magnificent catch. That turned the tide in New Zealand’s favour and they clinched the game by three runs.

6: Steve Waugh drops chance but effects run-out off last ball

India and Australia fought in a close encounter at Brisbane in the 1992 World Cup. Set 236 to win by the hosts, India were led by Mohammad Azharuddin’s 93 before a flurry of wickets dented their hopes. They still managed to take it down to the last over, where they needed 13 runs. Kiran More his two fours before Tom Moody had him bowled. Off the last ball, India needed four to win with Javagal Srinath on strike. Srinath swung it towards cow corner and the trajectory tricked Venkatapathy Raju at the other end, who celebrated prematurely. Srinath however, pushed Raju to run as Steve Waugh came across from long-on to take the catch, but dropped it. Unfazed by it, Waugh picked it up and threw it to the wicketkeeper. Raju was trying to complete the third run to tie the game, but Waugh’s accurate throw found him short as the wicketkeeper did the rest.

7:  Jonty Rhodes runs out Inzamam-ul-Haq to mark the beginning of the fielder’s era

This is easily the most iconic fielding moment in World Cup history. It’s a moment that may have revolutionised modern fielding as Jonty Rhodes’ athleticism opened a new dimension for the game. With Pakistan chasing a stiff challenge in a rain-reduced encounter against South Africa at the Gabba, Brisbane in the 1992 World Cup, Rhodes produced stuff of dreams. Inzamam-ul-Haq looked threatening on 48 and had constructed a good partnership with Imran Khan. He then tried to play the fast bowler across the line and was hit the pads. The ball ballooned towards point as Inzamam set off for a possible run. Rhodes ran in from point, picked up the ball, noticed Inzamam was out of the crease. Instead of throwing down the stumps, Rhodes ran like a gazelle and leapt towards the stumps to shatter them with Inzamam struggling to make the safety of the crease.

8: Jonty Rhodes’ back-flip to dismiss Robert Croft

This is perhaps a forgotten moment in World Cup history. During the England-South Africa game in the 1999 World Cup, Rhodes’ brilliance came to the fore yet again. England were losing to South Africa and the dull affair was lit up by Rhodes’ brilliance. Robert Croft played one uppishly towards point. Rhodes leapt in the air and tipped the ball up. And in a flash, he turned his back and took the catch. The ease with which he completed the movement caught the eye.

9:  Herschelle Gibbs “drops the World Cup”

The 1999 World Cup Super-Six encounter between South Africa and Australia was only a precursor to the drama that was to follow. The ebb and flow of momentum in this game only reflected the tussle for the championship between two competitive sides. In order to qualify for the semi-final, Australia had to chase down 272 and were in trouble at 48 for three in the 12th over. Out came Steve Waugh and led from the front to resurrect the Aussies. His calm hand took them to 152 for three in the 31st over when he flicked one from Lance Klusener to mid-wicket. Herschelle Gibbs, a brilliant fielder in his own right, caught it, but in a hurry to throw it up in celebration, spilt it onto the ground. Waugh went on to score a match-winning century which secured a semi-final date against the Proteas. The rest is history! The urban legend is that Waugh told Gibbs then that he had dropped the World Cup. However, many players claim that his comment was about Gibbs letting go that match and not the tournament.

10: Dwayne Leverock takes a stunner to dismiss Robin Uthappa

The 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean was a forgettable one for the Indian team. Coming into the tournament with a lot of hopes, they were shocked by neighbours Bangladesh in the first game. There were nerves heading into the game against Bermuda, a side making their World Cup debut. Dwayne Leverock, weighing 127 kilograms, stood out on the field of play with his portly build. Batting first, India had started with three runs in the first over. Robin Uthappa took strike to Malachi Jones, a 17-year-old seamer. He poked at a seemingly innocuous delivery outside the off-stump, which flew towards the second slip region. The heavyweight, positioned at first slip, flung himself to his right and grabbed it one-handed to spark wild celebrations. Jones and his teammates ran towards mid-wicket, Leverock was running all-over and blowing kisses to the fans. The moment reflected the true joy of being on the biggest stage. It remains an iconic moment for the sheer ease with which Leverock took the catch despite his heavy build.

(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_45. The above article was first published in CricketCountry)