Champions Trophy 2006: Jerome Taylor records first hat-trick of the competition against Australia
On October 18, 2006, Jerome Taylor sunk Australia at the Brabourne Stadium recording the first hat-trick in the history of the competition. His searing pace, incessant line and nerves of steel helped West Indies record a surprise win over Australia ,four days after they were thrashed by Sri Lanka at the same venue. Sarang Bhalerao revisits the magical bowling performance.
On October 18, 2006, Jerome Taylor sunk Australia at the Brabourne Stadium recording the first hat-trick in the history of the competition. His searing pace, incessant line and nerves of steel helped West Indies record a surprise win over Australia ,four days after they were thrashed by Sri Lanka at the same venue. Sarang Bhalerao revisits the magical bowling performance.
Australia somehow always struggled in the ICC Champions Trophy. They were eliminated in the first two editions of the competition — Dhaka (1998) and Nairobi (2000) in the first round itself. In the previous edition — England (2004) they were knocked out by host England in the semi-finals. The league had been changed from a knockout competition to a round-robin system from 2004.
In 2006, playing at the Cricket Club of India ground in Mumbai, Australia were well on course with their run-chase. Chasing 235 they needed 21 off 14 deliveries with Mr. Cricket — Mike Hussey — still at the crease. West Indies needed wickets to restrict Australia. That’s when Jerome Taylor stood up. Hussey had been tied down by the spinners, which frustrated him. Taylor was bowling full and straight. Hussey tried to swat a straight delivery in the 48th over towards the leg-side and lost his stumps. The next delivery to Brett Lee was a sharp inswinger which beat him for pace.
After their insipid performance against Sri Lanka on the same venue, where West Indies were bowled out for 80, there was a lot of intensity against Australia. There was a sense of purpose and the shoulders never drooped. Even when Michael Clarke and Adam Gilchrist’s century partnership was blossoming West Indies never gave up. But the collapse started when Gilchrist was involved in a mix-up with Clarke and was run-out for 92.
The spinners took over and then the pace bowlers utilised that advantage to their effect. Bravo bowled the 49th over and conceded only five runs. Needing 16 to win in the final over, Taylor came steaming in and bowled a full ball. Brad Hogg walked right across his stumps and made no contact with the ball. The ball thrashed the stumps and history was made. It was the first hat-trick of the Champions Trophy. West Indies were in the ascendency. The tailenders found the task of scoring the remaining runs impossible and West Indies won the game by 10 runs.
Brief scores:
West Indies 234 for 6 in 50 overs (Runako Morton 90*, Brian Lara 71; Nathan Bracken 2 for 42) beat Australia 224 for 9 in 50 overs (Adam Gilchrist 92, Michael Clarke 47; Jerome Taylor 4 for 49) by 10 runs.
(Sarang Bhalerao hails from a family of doctors, but did his engineering. He then dumped a career in IT with Infosys to follow his heart and passion and became a writer with CricketCountry. A voracious reader, Sarang aspires to beat Google with his knowledge of the game! You can follow him on Twitter here)
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