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| Graham Gooch. - Pix credit BBC |
Memories of the first Test between India and England at Lord's from July 26 to 31, 1990.
India lost the match, but there were plenty of moments of great cricket.
Skipper Graham Gooch scored 333 after India won the toss and put England to bat. England declared at 653 for 4. Alan Lamb made 139 and Robin Smith remained not out at 100.
India struggled quite a bit. The only exceptions were opener Ravi Shastri's 100, and captain Mohd Azharuddin's 121. The next top scorer was Kapil Dev, whose scintillating 77 -- which included four consecutive sixes -- helped India avoid the ignominy of a follow-on by one run.
In the 2nd innings, England declared at 272 for 4. India had to chase 472 to win, but managed only 224, falling 247 runs short.
Here is the full scorecard on ESPN website.
BBC's Test Match Special brought out a bonus edition on July 27 to celebrate the occasion. It has archive commentary, as well as Gooch, Azharuddin and Kapil recalling those memorable moments.
If you are a cricket fan, then it's worth a listen.
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteOoh, thanks for the link - I am really missing cricket!!! YAM xx
O, you must listen to Henry Blofeld's commentary in that TMS clip, Yamini.
Delete...isn't he a gem? Will be much missed from our radios...
DeleteAbsolutely, Yamini. His commentary is as good as a match! :-) You know, I just listen to him when I am feeling low! :-)
DeleteSounds like it should be a fun rewatch.
ReplyDeleteTest matches are not my fav. I wonder how someone was able to conceptualize playing a game for five days, although I admit I have watched a few test matches for five days!
ReplyDeleteDestination Infinity
Hi Rajesh - These Test matches began in a completely different context. Yes, today it looks like a huge waste of time. I too have spent five full days during my school/ college days doing nothing other than follow the Test matches!
DeleteBut nowadays many Test matches are really interesting and they produce results, and not a draw. I don't want them to go. For the fireworks, there are ODIs and T20s.
Hi Pradeep - I'm waiting to see whether the rain will stop England v West Indies match today ... I enjoy hearing it, and watching the summary in the evening (haven't got access to watch it). As I was in South Africa in the 80s .. I didn't see this one ... and I can't watch re-runs - other things to do ... take care - Hilary
ReplyDeleteHi Hilary - England won the match, and retained the Wisden Trophy.
DeleteI couldn't watch much of it since I was working. But I kept following the progress. I am glad that Test matches are producing results, nowadays.
If I say i'm not a fan of cricket but cricketers...will you know what I mean?
ReplyDeleteYour recall reminded me of the crush my sister and I had on Alan Lamb in 1990!
We would watch only when he came on the TV screen;)
Thank you for bringing all those memories back Pradeep.
Have a lovely day.
Hi Arti - I can understand :-) Even cricket fans have their fave players. I loved seeing Gavaskar and Viswanath playing. I used to lose interest in the match when they got out.
DeleteHi Pradeep, I so miss cricket here in NL. We have a good team but it’s not a popular spectator sport here, so we rarely hear what’s happening. Amazing to be privileged to remember Graham Gooch as a player. I shall follow that link! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHi Vallypee - Yes, NL has a good cricket team. It has got into the Super League. I am actually looking forward to some of the matches.
DeleteYes, sometimes, the nation's team might be good, but the sport itself might not be popular. It can the other way too. Like football is very popular in parts of India, but the India doesn't have a world-standard football team.
Looks very interesting. I will watch it. In 1990 there was no computer. Also, American media do not cover cricket. Therefore, I never heard of this test match.
ReplyDeleteI'm just going to have to smile and nod along here because I know nothing about cricket. :)
ReplyDeleteI know nothing about the sport but always considered it interesting when seen broadcast at my favorite Indian restaurant. And I like the fact Henry Blofeld can lift your spirits. That's always a good thing.
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