The
World Cup is always distilled with those great moments when a minnow
upsets the apple-cart and overcomes a favourite. In the 1987 World Cup
match between Zimbabwe and New Zealand, Dave Houghton's heart-stirring
innings of 142 almost took his country to a surreal win, before Martin
Crowe changed the game on its head by taking a brilliant catch to help
the Kiwis emerge triumphant in a humdinger.
In '87, New Zealand without Richard Hadlee weren't exactly brimming with confidence, but were expected to beat Zimbabwe comfortably. On a slightly damp pitch in Hyderabad, Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to field. The two Martins Snedden and Crowe struck half centuries and took New Zealand to a competitive total of 242 for 7.
Zimbabwe struggled to get going in the chase and at 104 for 7, were hurtling towards a heavy defeat. That was when Dave Houghton, Zimbabwe's key batsman and wicket-keeper, was joined by Iain Butchart. Houghton struck some lusty bowls to take Zimbabwe to the brink of a famous win.
With Zimbabwe requiring just 22 runs off 21 balls, Snedden ran into bowl his medium pacers. New Zealand's captain Jeff Crowe decided to go for the last throw of the dice. He brought the long on up to lure Houghton to play the big shot.
Houghton, who was getting tired in the sweltering heat, took the bait. With one mighty swing of the willow, he thwacked it high in the air. Crowe, the fielder at mid on, took athletic strides and had great concentration as he ran at full tilt while looking skywards.
For a moment one felt that Crowe, stretching every sinew to run about 30 yards, would have done so for a lost cause. But he never gave up and finally dived full stretch to take the catch that mattered.
Despite Butchart putting up a brave fight Zimbabwe eventually lost the game by a mere three runs. With that spellbinding catch, Crowe, had saved some blushes for his country and ensured that New Zealand came up trumps in a thriller.
In '87, New Zealand without Richard Hadlee weren't exactly brimming with confidence, but were expected to beat Zimbabwe comfortably. On a slightly damp pitch in Hyderabad, Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to field. The two Martins Snedden and Crowe struck half centuries and took New Zealand to a competitive total of 242 for 7.
Zimbabwe struggled to get going in the chase and at 104 for 7, were hurtling towards a heavy defeat. That was when Dave Houghton, Zimbabwe's key batsman and wicket-keeper, was joined by Iain Butchart. Houghton struck some lusty bowls to take Zimbabwe to the brink of a famous win.
With Zimbabwe requiring just 22 runs off 21 balls, Snedden ran into bowl his medium pacers. New Zealand's captain Jeff Crowe decided to go for the last throw of the dice. He brought the long on up to lure Houghton to play the big shot.
Houghton, who was getting tired in the sweltering heat, took the bait. With one mighty swing of the willow, he thwacked it high in the air. Crowe, the fielder at mid on, took athletic strides and had great concentration as he ran at full tilt while looking skywards.
For a moment one felt that Crowe, stretching every sinew to run about 30 yards, would have done so for a lost cause. But he never gave up and finally dived full stretch to take the catch that mattered.
Despite Butchart putting up a brave fight Zimbabwe eventually lost the game by a mere three runs. With that spellbinding catch, Crowe, had saved some blushes for his country and ensured that New Zealand came up trumps in a thriller.
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