Analysing Famous Cricket Matches – Lessons to Learn
The history of cricket is packed with plenty of thrilling matches.
Across all forms of the game there has been no shortage of upsets, drama-filled moments, big individual performances and the closest of finishes.
From some of the most famous matches between the world’s best teams, there are plenty of lessons that can be learned.
If you are looking for some inspiration, here are some examples that you can draw on.
NO TEAM IS UNBEATABLE
2001 Kolkata Test (India vs. Australia)
Considered to be one of the greatest Test matches ever played, Australia entered this match having won a world record 16 Test matches in a row.
Australia chose to bat first and put on 445 runs, before dismissing India for 171 in reply.
Australian captain Steve Waugh asked India to follow-on, sniffing an easy win.
The home side fell to 3-115 after Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed, but no one accounted for VVS Laxman (281 runs) and Rahul Dravid (180 runs) putting on a legendary 376-run partnership, laying the platform for a famous win.
India declared at 7-657 and went on to bowl Australia out for 212 and win the Test.
The Indian team had packed their suitcases at the end of day 3, fully expecting the match to be over on day 4 before Laxman and Dravid “batted like magicians”.
This match highlighted the power of belief and the ability to turn a match with one big partnership, along with proving that no team is unbeatable.
INDIVIDUALS CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE
Headingley 1981 (England vs. Australia)
It was one of the best all-round individual performances in Test cricket history.
During the Third Test of the Ashes series, English ace Ian Botham was a powerhouse as he individually saved his side from the jaws of defeat.
Australia batted first and put on 9-401 before declaring, with Botham taking 6-95 off 39.2 overs with the ball.
England was dismissed for just 174 runs in reply, but Botham again stood tall as he put on a top-score of 50 batting at No.7.
England was forced to follow on and found itself in real trouble at 4-41, before Botham again starred and put on a stunning 149 not-out.
He then took one more wicket in Australia’s second innings – overshadowed by 8-43 from Bob Wills – as the visitors were skittled for 111.
England became just the second team in Test history to win after following on.
Botham was unsurprisingly named the player of the match, with the performance showing how much influence one player can have within a team if they set their mind to the task.
HANDLING THE MOMENTS
2016 T20 World Cup Final (England vs. West Indies)
Particularly in T20 cricket, many matches are decided in the final over.
This was one of them.
Tight bowling from England (9-155) had left the West Indies needing 19 runs for victory going into the final over – a seemingly impossible task.
Carlos Brathwaite was at the crease and took just four balls to surpass that.
Off the bowling of Ben Stokes, Brathwaite amazingly hit four consecutive sixes to see his team to victory.
There are lessons that can be learned here on both sides.
You can look at the bowling tactics and strategy under pressure from Stokes and England and how things could have been done differently, as well as the never-say-die attitude from Brathwaite under immense pressure.
Want to learn more lessons about cricket?
If you are looking to elevate your game, you have come to the right place.
At Cricket For All, we are an Adelaide-based cricket centre with a team of experienced nationally-accredited coaches.
We offer one-on-one coaching sessions, as well as Academy programs for children.
Get in touch with us today to discuss your options.
