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Before Glenn Maxwell, Chris Pringle defended two runs in last over of an ODI

Only two men in the history of ODI cricket have successfully defended two runs in the last over.

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Glenn Maxwell and Chris Pringle both defended two runs in the last over © Getty Images and Screenshot from Youtube
Glenn Maxwell (Left) and Chris Pringle defended two runs in the last over © Getty Images and Screenshot from YouTube

Glenn Maxwell became the second to successfully defend two runs in the last over of a One-Day International (ODI) recently. Chris Pringle was the first to do so and he achieved that against Australia at Hobart on December 18, 1990. In conversation with Nishad Pai Vaidya, Pringle looks back at that match.

Only two men in the history of One-Day International (ODI) cricket have successfully defended two runs in the last over. Glenn Maxwell managed that feat against Pakistan in the third ODI at Abu Dhabi when he bowled a maiden and took two wickets to helped Australia win by the slimmest of margins. The first man to do so was Chris Pringle, back in 1990-91 against the trans-Tasman rivals in a Benson & Hedges Cup match at Hobart. Pringle had bowled that spell in the middle of a remarkable run of form that saw him end up as the highest wicket-taker in that tournament.

Pringle is now a real-estate agent in Tauranga, New Zealand. In a conversation with CricketCountry, Pringle reflected on his feat which came almost 24 years ago. Australia and New Zealand have always been fierce rivals across sports. In cricket, New Zealand often tend to punch above their weight and lift their game when they face their rivals. “It is amazing to compete against our neighbours where there is a true rivalry. It is like a love hate relationship,” says Pringle.

Australia had already made it to the final of the tri-series and New Zealand and England were battling for the second spot. In this game at Hobart, the Kiwis were put in to bat and were struggling through the innings. It was only due to a surge from Brad Young and Rod Latham that they touched 194 for six. In the last ten overs, they had managed to score 74 — which was quite a lot in those days. Pringle says, “It was a pretty flat wicket but it was starting to dry up and slow down. We did not think we had enough runs on the board until Australia plan to change the batting order backfired.”

Australia looked on course with Geoff Marsh leading the inning with 61. But, for this game, Australia shuffled the batting order and in hindsight, that cost them big time. Allan Border put himself down at No. 8. The Waugh brothers batted at Nos. 3 and 4. Ian Healy, Dean Jones and Simon O’Donnell followed.

From 111 for three they collapsed to 153 for seven.  Pringle recollected: “In the last 10 overs they started getting anxious and looking more often to the scoreboard.” Border carried the innings around him, but things became tight when he fell with the score on 177. Going into the final over, Greg Matthews and Bruce Reid were the last pair and the latter was on strike. Pringle warmed up for this over.

“I always backed myself in those situations. I loved bowling under pressure at the death,” Pringle says.

Ball 1: Coming from round the wicket to the left-handed Reid, Pringle bowled the first one just down the leg-side as the batsman missed. Pringle looked back at the umpire, who did not spread his arms. It was a marginal call! In that era, the rules weren’t very stringent.

Ball 2: The second ball was a low full-toss outside the off-stump and Reid edged it on the bounce to the wicketkeeper. Young stopped it and ran down the wicket to present Reid and Matthews to run the bye.

Ball 3: The third ball was on a length, outside the off-stump. Reid got bat onto it and played it square on the off-side, but it was straight to the man inside the ring.

Ball 4: This ball was straighter, and fuller. Reid went for the heave, but missed it. Young gathered it and ran towards the stumps.

Ball 5: With two needed of two balls, Pringle pitched it full and outside the off stump. Reid went for another wild slog and missed. Young collected and came towards the stumps again.

Ball 6: Two to get off the last ball and New Zealand had most of their men in their ring. They had placed Latham at deep point. Pringle bowled it a touch wider and Reid missed. Young collected and ran forward. Inevitably, Reid went for the run and was run-out by the wicketkeeper. Pringle says, “I varied my pace a lot so he couldn’t get used to me. The run out was just the outcome to the stress that was playing out in the last few overs.”

What happened next?

–          New Zealand’s victory put England under pressure as they had two games remaining against Australia. As they failed to win both, New Zealand made it into the finals.

–          New Zealand and Australia played in the finals at Sydney and Melbourne. The hosts took the title quite easily.

–          Pringle ended up with 18 wickets in the 10 matches. “I suppose it was the belief I was building up and the confidence I was getting from each match,” he says.

Brief scores:

New Zealand 194 for 6 in 50 overs (Brian Young 41*; Simon O’Donnell 2 for 50) beat Australia 193 in 50 overs (Geoff Marsh 61; Chris Harris 2 for 42) by 1 run.

Man of the Match: Brian Young.

(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_45)

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