669 runs this year and going strong

Andrew Symonds was not even assured of a regular place in the Aussie ODI squad until early this year. But the 2003 World Cup in South Africa...

Andrew Symonds was not even assured of a regular place in the Aussie ODI squad until early this year. But the 2003 World Cup in South Africa changed it all. A personal favourite of skipper Ricky Ponting, Symonds had rattled up 669 runs before the Pune ODI on Monday and thereby bettering his best of 319 in 2000. With such stats to back his reputation, it was quite a surprise to see young Michael Clarke walk in ahead of both Michael Bevan and Symonds. But as Ponting explained later in the day. ‘‘I had a chat with the coach and we both agreed that a chase like this needed a player like Symmo in the slog. So the changes in the batting order.’’

Not even a dropped catch when on one and the chase still 82 runs away upset the big strapping Queenslander. With his calm approach, Symonds proved not only his captain and coach right but also another facet of his game. The enterprising cricketer had always been known to hit the ball long and hard, just like our own Yuvraj Singh. Before February 2003 though Symonds would always have been remembered for two things — how he hit bowlers at his small Kent county ground.

Symonds’ best knocks in 2003

Vs Pak, New Wanderers Stadium, February 11:
This knock changed Symonds’ ODI career. Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar had left the Australian top-order tottering at 86/4 in the World Cup opener. Symonds showed no panic and instead calmly went about carting the famed Pakistani attack as the Aussies posted 310/8 with Man-Of-the-Match Symmo himself rattling up a strokefilled, unbeaten 143.
Brief scores: Australia: 310/8 b Pakistan: 223. Result: Australia won by 82 runs.

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Vs Sri Lanka, St George’s Park, Februrary 18:
A slowish Port Elizabeth pitch was supposed to be the graveyard for Australia in the World Cup semifinal. The Lankans had Australia struggling at 51/3. But Man Of the Match Symonds’ knock of 91 not out ensured Australia had a total of 212/7, just enough to choke the Lankans.
Brief scores: Australia: 212/7 b Sri Lanka: 123.
Result: Australia won by 48 runs.

Vs West Indies, Beausejour Stadium, May 21:
In the third match of this seven-match series, Australia were again up against it at 79/3. Symonds plays the saviour with new boy Michael Clarke to guide him through the stand of 99-runs. The Aussies post 258/4, with Symonds and Man Of The Match Clarke scoring 75 each. The chase proved too be a hot stuff for Windies.
Brief scores: Australia: 258/4 b West Indies: 233/9; Result: Australia won by 25-runs.

Vs West Indies, Queen’s Park Oval, May 25:
On this rare day nothing went right for Australia. Their bowlers struggled as Wavell Hinds (79) and Brian Lara (80) help the West Indies to 290/5. Certainly a huge mountain to climb but there was just one saving grace, Symonds (77) and the rest faltered as the Aussies finish at 251. This was a dead match, as the Aussies had already claimed the series.
Brief scores: West Indies: 290/5 b Australia: 251/9; Result: Australia lost by 39 runs.

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