PlayBack 2013 – Part Three – Special Mentions

Part One Here | Part Two here

Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke’s enthusiasm to declare at unexpected junctures never reduced. He will make sure that the score line doesn’t read ‘all out’ as well he will ensure his bowlers are fresh enough to attack again. On Jan 5th, he declared with the score at 432-9 against SL with a first innings lead of 138 just before lunch.

In the Ashes Test at the end of year as well he never bothered to wait for Warner’s 100 and also started their 2nd innings even though follow-on could have been enforced for an innings victory. A quick lead, an overnight declaration. Was great to see their bowlers bowl a barrage of bouncers at great pace and ended the 4 year drought.

He also declared on the first day of the Test at Hyderabad with the Aussies at 237/9. It was the first time since 1974 that a team has declared on the first day of a Test. On the 5th day of the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval, he declared at 111/6 in the 2nd innings setting a target of 227 post tea but the match ended in a draw due to bad light.

Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell speech. The fairy-tale ending was a planned one. He has to play his 200th Test match at home, contribute in front of his home crowd, in front of his near and dear ones and at the same time the team needs to win. West Indies accepted the invitation.

Everything planned. Stage set. Number 199 at Eden Gardens and number 200 at Wankhede. Special postage stamps released, specially minted toss coin and loads of take-aways. But little did everyone know that Tendulkar too has planned something. Celebrations that were planned at Eden Gardens couldn’t be completed as the match ended in 3 days. Wankhede too wasn’t different.

Even though Tendulkar scored 74 in his final innings, fans couldn’t get the feel of any match happening. On November 16 2013, exactly after 24 years and 1 day, the man retired. Cameras concentrated only on Sachin (remember India won the series 2-0?). He came out for the presentation with his wife and children and also with a piece of paper in his hand which had some points to remember.

And then it was all Tendulkar. ‘Friends settle down let me talk’ were his initial words. ‘My life, between 22 yards for 24 years, it is hard to believe that that wonderful journey has come to an end’. No. This is not what fans wanted to hear but then everyone realized that the most dreaded day in cricket has arrived.

Tendulkar didn’t miss anyone in his speech. He went to the middle and touched the ground and left; but that left a lump in everyone’s throat. ‘Even God needs rest’ was a wonderful headline in next day’s newspaper.

Mitchell Johnson

Mitchell Johnson’s sudden surge of form made him the go-to bowler for Australia now. Post the retirement of McGrath, Lee and Gillespie, Australia looked towards Johnson to lead the pace attack. With Ryan Harris prone to injuries, Johnson is expected to lead the new comers as well.

It was never his form but only that it took him hat-trick of Ashes defeats to get to that role. His 2009 Ashes stint in England was the worse and everyone knows how wayward his bowling was. But now, finally, after all those set-backs, punishments and dedication, Mitchell Johnson tasted Ashes victory.

It not unfair if we say it’s because of Mitch, Australia won the Ashes (Brad Haddin as well. But looks like Johnson would have cleaned the opponent even if it’s a low target)