Vivian Richards running out Alan Turner.
When we look back at Viv Richards' heroic efforts in the history of World Cup, enthusiasts romanticise his bewitching blade, reigning supreme with lethal strikes that battered opposition bowlers. Think Richards plundering 138 not out to leave frightful scars on the English bowlers in the 1979 World Cup, the carnage that took place at Lord's against Australia in 1983 when he swatted Jeff Thomson like a fly or his record-breaking knock against Sri Lanka in '87, and you get the picture.
However, if we jog our memory back to 1975 final against Australia at Lord's, the great man displayed another dimension to his play; defying gravity with his electrifying fielding to run out three key batsmen and send Australia hurtling towards a defeat.
In the backdrop of a sizzling atmosphere created by Caribbean fans, West Indies motored along to 291 for 8 in 60 overs, largely on the back of Clive Lloyd's pulsating century and Rohan Kanhai's gritty fifty.
West Indies started on a bright note in the field too, when the ever-agile Alvin Kallicharran took a superlative catch in the slips to send Ric McCosker back to the pavilion. Alan Turner, though, steadied the ship. At the other end, Ian Chappell, with his never-say-die spirit, played a flurry of shots to keep the scorecard ticking.
In fact, at 1 for 81, Australia looked on course to chase down the target. It was Richards then, who lifted the sagging spirits and drooping shoulders of the Windies camp with a bullet throw from backward square-leg to run out Turner. It meant Australia's best batsman, Greg Chappell arrived at the crease to take strike. Greg, famed for bringing a sense of catharsis to the paying public with his unruffled elegance, was the man who could play that game-changing innings to take Australia to a historic triumph. Unfortunately from Australia's perspective, Greg Chappell became the next victim of Richards' unmatched brilliance. Chappell (Jnr) turned it around the corner towards backward square-leg, but a rocket-like direct hit from Richards saw Greg finding himself short of the crease.
The Windies unit still knew with Ian Chappell around, Australia could turn the tide to defeat West Indies. The turning point of the game came when Australia had progressed to 162 for 3. Ian, who clipped the ball towards mid-wicket, was aware of Richards' fielding skills and for a moment it didn't seem like he would take that fatal run. Richards though, misfielded and that tempted Chappell to steal a run. Richards, however, was quick to recover and swooped down on the ball and, in a flash, threw it back at the stumps. It wasn't a direct-hit, but Lloyd, who was bowling, calmly ran out Ian Chappell. The unmistakable grin on Richards face could be seen as a dejected Chappell walked back to the pavilion.
Richie Benaud on BBC famously said: "The old rule of never run on a misfield still holds good."
Jeff Thomson became the fifth Australian player to be run out as Australia lost the final by a mere 17 runs.
However, if we jog our memory back to 1975 final against Australia at Lord's, the great man displayed another dimension to his play; defying gravity with his electrifying fielding to run out three key batsmen and send Australia hurtling towards a defeat.
In the backdrop of a sizzling atmosphere created by Caribbean fans, West Indies motored along to 291 for 8 in 60 overs, largely on the back of Clive Lloyd's pulsating century and Rohan Kanhai's gritty fifty.
West Indies started on a bright note in the field too, when the ever-agile Alvin Kallicharran took a superlative catch in the slips to send Ric McCosker back to the pavilion. Alan Turner, though, steadied the ship. At the other end, Ian Chappell, with his never-say-die spirit, played a flurry of shots to keep the scorecard ticking.
In fact, at 1 for 81, Australia looked on course to chase down the target. It was Richards then, who lifted the sagging spirits and drooping shoulders of the Windies camp with a bullet throw from backward square-leg to run out Turner. It meant Australia's best batsman, Greg Chappell arrived at the crease to take strike. Greg, famed for bringing a sense of catharsis to the paying public with his unruffled elegance, was the man who could play that game-changing innings to take Australia to a historic triumph. Unfortunately from Australia's perspective, Greg Chappell became the next victim of Richards' unmatched brilliance. Chappell (Jnr) turned it around the corner towards backward square-leg, but a rocket-like direct hit from Richards saw Greg finding himself short of the crease.
The Windies unit still knew with Ian Chappell around, Australia could turn the tide to defeat West Indies. The turning point of the game came when Australia had progressed to 162 for 3. Ian, who clipped the ball towards mid-wicket, was aware of Richards' fielding skills and for a moment it didn't seem like he would take that fatal run. Richards though, misfielded and that tempted Chappell to steal a run. Richards, however, was quick to recover and swooped down on the ball and, in a flash, threw it back at the stumps. It wasn't a direct-hit, but Lloyd, who was bowling, calmly ran out Ian Chappell. The unmistakable grin on Richards face could be seen as a dejected Chappell walked back to the pavilion.
Richie Benaud on BBC famously said: "The old rule of never run on a misfield still holds good."
Jeff Thomson became the fifth Australian player to be run out as Australia lost the final by a mere 17 runs.
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