MARCUS HOOK'S WORLD CUP DIARY 1999

Friday 14th May 1999: England v Sri Lanka at Lord's
I can't say I was entirely happy with England's decision to open the batting with Nasser Hussain, but I've no complaints with the way they opened their account against Sri Lanka today. The structure of this year's World Cup meant that it was a crucial game for both sides. Logic would suggest that South Africa and India will end up heading Group A, so whoever comes out of the three-way battle between England, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe with two wins will almost certainly go forward with them (at least that's the theory). From what I saw of today's match, the Sri Lankans didn't seem to be fully behind their charismatic - Shane Warne would say otherwise - captain. For his part Arjuna Ranatunga allowed things to drift, like when Eric Upashantha was forced to bowl to a predominantly off-side field despite being called for wide after wide after wide! A captain's job is to support his bowlers, not to make their lives difficult. As we all know a bowler's job, in turn, is to support his skipper; and didn't Alan Mullally do just that? I am amazed that I'm the only person with him in my Oval World fantasy team. Keep up the good work Spider!

Saturday 15th May 1999: India v South Africa at Hove and Zimbabwe v Kenya at Taunton
With a wedding to video in Redhill today, I took the opportunity to watch the start of the India v South Africa game on TV before having to go out. When I returned late in the day I was somewhat surprised to discover that South Africa's captain Hansie Cronje had been wearing an earpiece during the opening stages. Perhaps Bob Woolmer was making sure it would work, so that when he takes over as England coach he can give Alec a few "on the job" lessons in cricketing tactics! But seriously, I don't know why the South Africans were so astonished that the match referee Talat Ali wouldn't allow the radio link to be used. The bottom line is that with big hitters like Jonty Rhodes and Lance Klusener to come in down the order, South Africa haven't any need for earpieces if they're going to go far in this tournament. As expected, Zimbabwe overcame Kenya with relative ease. I wonder if England can do the same at Canterbury on Tuesday? They will if they don't muck about with the side too much.

Sunday 16th May 1999: Australia v Scotland at Worcester and West Indies v Pakistan at Bristol
Given the choice of seeing the World Cup, the Monaco Grand Prix and the last day of the football league season on TV, what could possibly have tempted me to go out? The answer is championship cricket. Today it was the third day of the PPP Healthcare match between Surrey and Essex and, just recently, I've been starved of the "real stuff". But I'd by lying if I said that the Supporters' Club's use of the Alcock Room didn't play a part in my decision. One of the attractions of the room - which Surrey CCC kindly allows us to use as a weekend base - is that it has a television. So, in true boxholder fashion, I spent periods of the day with my back to the game going on outside! When Surrey played Gloucestershire, Barry Dudleston made a number of "trigger happy" LBW decisions. Imagine my surprise, then, when Paul Prichard survived three authentic shouts in the first 15 minutes. The more one analyses it, there is definitely an anti-Surrey feeling amongst the umpires in this country. But you don't want to hear about that - this is a World Cup diary! So what caught my notice today? Well, apart from the BBC's curious decision to show bits of the Australia-Scotland game, I'm beginning to regret not having Wasim Akram in my fantasy side. On today's evidence he's the sort of captain who can make this tournament his own. The last two World Cups were won by the side possessing the most charismatic leader, so, although it may be early to be making predictions, Pakistan are my tip to win it.

Monday 17th May 1999: New Zealand v Bangladesh at Chelmsford
Either New Zealand are much better than the pre-tournament betting suggested or Bangladesh are very bad. That said, it's interesting to note that the side batting second has, so far, won five out of the first six matches in this year's World Cup. The true test for New Zealand will undoubtedly come when they face Australia on Thursday. I trust the crowd at Chelmsford were kept in regular touch with events at The Oval, where the county side were taking a hiding from Surrey. (Sorry, but I had to work that into my World Cup diary somehow!). In this morning's Daily Telegraph, its new chief cricket correspondent, Michael Henderson said that Bob Woolmer is the wrong man for the England job. Is it any surprise that I've switched my allegiances to The Times now that Christopher Martin-Jenkins is writing for it? With Ivo Tennant, Geoffrey Dean and Alan Lee - when he's not at the races - also on the staff, I'm sad to report that the Telegraph is rapidly becoming the poor relation when it comes to cricket coverage.

Tuesday 18th May 1999: England v Kenya at Canterbury
Rain threatened to disrupt things for the first time in the tournament today. In the end, England managed to overtake Kenya's score of 203 with 11 overs to spare, but that didn't prevent things going on rather later than regular viewers of BBC2's 'Heartbreak High' and 'Home Ground' will have liked! All of this morning's papers contained stories of how the Home Office is making visiting Asians sit a cricket test. This is in the hope of weeding out illegal immigrants posing as cricket supporters. Apparently, one of the questions is "Who is the captain of Sri Lanka?" Maybe they should also be asking "How long will he keep his job?!" I wonder if Lord's were employing a similar measure last Friday. MCC members aren't known for their cricketing knowledge, so that's probably why the pavilion was so empty!

Wednesday 19th May 1999: Sri Lanka v South Africa at Northampton and India v Zimbabwe at Leicester
There were just over 500 runs in today's India-Zimbabwe match, of which 90 were extras. In all of the excitement surrounding Henry Olonga's heroics - three for 5 in what should have been the game's penultimate over - what mustn't be overlooked is that the team conceding the fewest extras won. What was surprising is that byes only accounted for one of the 90, which should please anyone with Flower or Mongia in their Oval World fantasy side! The Indians will no doubt point to the absence of Sachin Tendulkar, whose father died yesterday. But I'd have to say that it had more to do with India losing the match than Zimbabwe winning it. Singh was "set" when he lobbed an easy catch to Campbell and Srinath made the mistake of trying to end the game with a third maximum; all of which meant that Prasad found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. If he had just managed to survive one ball the result could so easily have gone the other way, but that's cricket. By all accounts today's other match, at Northampton, was a contentious affair. But, for all their "bad luck", South Africa finished up convincing winners.

Thursday 20th May 1999: Australia v New Zealand at Cardiff and Pakistan v Scotland at Chester-le-Street
Well, are we seeing the first cracks appear in the Aussie machine? New Zealand didn't just win today, they won with more than four overs to spare having been 49 for four in reply to Australia's 213. Roger Twose (80 from 99 deliveries) and Chris Cairns (60 off 77) timed their side's fight back to perfection. As soon as they had brought stability to the innings, they looked nothing less than certain of guiding the Kiwis to victory. Since I had the TV to myself tonight, I thought I'd relive the day's events - just to make sure I hadn't dreamt it all! - by watching Sky's two-hour long magazine programme 'World Cup Centre'. For added interest, I e-mailed off a question for the panellists. Seeing as one of them was Justin Langer, I figured that a question about overseas players being barred from county cricket would be topical. Having been interviewed by Sky a couple of times on matters concerning Surrey, only for my contributions to end up on the cutting room floor, I thought I'd see if a change of medium would also result in a change in luck. I sat through every minute of the World Cup Centre and guess how many e-mails Mike Whatshisname read out? You guessed it - none!

Friday 21st May 1999: West Indies v Bangladesh at Dublin
The end of week one and everyone has now played two Group matches. Despite a creditable performance with the bat from Mehrab Hossain and company, the West Indies won today's game in Dublin with relative ease. However, they lacked the urgency needed to persuade me that they are capable of going through to the Super Sixes. The margin of victory was not as comfortable as it should have been because, instead of taking the opportunity to up their net run rate, the West Indians seemed more concerned that Jimmy Adams should reach his fifty! Looking ahead to the weekend, there are a couple of really interesting contests coming up. England can't be graded in this competition until they have faced South Africa at The Oval whilst, on Sunday, Australia - who are badly in need of a win - run into the fearsome-looking Pakistanis. I bet both seam attacks are praying for it to be overcast at Headingley, although I fully expect both spinners - Saqlain and Warne - to have a say in the outcome.

Saturday 22nd May 1999: England v South Africa at The Oval and Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka at Worcester
Instead of bringing in Hollioake for Croft - as had been widely rumoured - England caught everyone off guard by replacing Austin with Fraser. Against Kenya, Ian Austin's figures had gone from one for 18 off six overs to 1/41 off 9.4. So, the most logical decision of all would have been to substitute Austin for the unlucky Adam Hollioake. Despite losing the toss, South Africa got off to a great start thanks to Herschelle Gibbs and Gary Kirsten. In the end, England did very well to peg the visitors back to 225 for seven. If there was any doubt surrounding Shaun Pollock's dismissal on Wednesday, further replays of today's "first baller" won't just be restricted to the Third Umpire's booth! However, jubilation soon turned to dejection as Alec Stewart, and then Nasser Hussain were both "conned" out in the space of a few overs. That shouldn't detract from South Africa's fielding performance, though, which resulted in England being bowled out for a paltry 103. The outcome meant that England could do with Zimbabwe losing as well. Thankfully, after one or two scares, the Sri Lankans duly obliged, but Alec and the boys would be well advised to prepare thoroughly for Tuesday's encounter at Trent Bridge.

Sunday 23rd May 1999: Kenya v India at Bristol and Australia v Pakistan at Headingley
What a fantastic match at Headingley. Although the margin of Pakistan's victory was just 10 runs, there was difference in spirit - if not quality - between the two sides there for all to see today. Minus Dale and Lee, Australia's bowling looked even more vulnerable than it had done on Thursday. At this level, teams can't expect to win one-day games with four bowlers. Steve Waugh's body language couldn't have lifted his bowlers and fielders either. I still expect the Aussies to make it through to the next phase, but they could well be entering it needing three wins from three. Raman Subba Row who, for those not connected with Surrey is a figure of some ridicule, was today's match referee. Apparently he took such exception to Shoaib Ahktar's alleged bad mouthing that he gave the Pakistani fast bowler a "terrific rocket". Really? I can't wait to see what happens when Shoaib lights it at the closing ceremony! In the West Indies recently, Subba Row had to deal with the far more serious issue of pitch invasions. Judging by the one that begun before today's encounter had even finished, he's abdicated any influence he had in such matters. What am I trying to say? The ICC should have appointed more respected ex-players like John Reid and Talat Ali as match referees, not guys from the old boy network who are capable of dishing out nothing more than the odd telling off.

Monday 24th May 1999: West Indies v New Zealand at Southampton and Scotland v Bangladesh at Edinburgh
I take back everything I said about the West Indies on Friday. Today's seven-wicket victory over the Kiwis was so emphatic, one might say they are now running into the sort of form that could put them into the last four. After that, as they say, anything can happen. I got home from work just in time to witness the last rites. Ridley Jacobs appeared to be in fine form with the bat. He's not doing too bad with the gloves either, having taken five more dismissals today. But, more than anything, the win was brought about by some hostile bowling from the quartet of West Indian quicks - Ambrose, Dillon, King and Walsh. As expected, Bangladesh beat Scotland in what proved to be a more competitive match at Edinburgh. Even if the encounter did lack something in quality, it could easily have gone the other way if Gavin Hamilton hadn't been run out at the non-striker's end. Hamilton, who has been a revelation in this tournament, has hinted that he would like to play for England one day. That, of course, is assuming the selectors recognise his talents and pick him! Although I'm a day late, I'd just like to take my hat off to Sachin Tendulkar, who scored an unbeaten 140 against Kenya on returning from his father's funeral. He celebrated the hundred by looking to the heavens. I could have imagined it, but I think it was my first tear-jerking moment of the tournament so far.

Tuesday 25th May 1999: England v Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge
What a great birthday present (for me, not Robert Croft) - England laying their bogey to rest against Zimbabwe. Dreary contest or not - I don't mind dreary contests if my team wins them! - England won by seven wickets with more than 11 overs to spare, having previously suffered four successive defeats at the hands of the Zimbabweans. As usual, the press can't resist finding something to have a go about, even though we've done well. Bob Willis quizzed Alec Stewart straight after the match about his form with the bat and England's policy of only playing four bowlers. When you consider that Adam Hollioake came on when the batting conditions were at their best and that Hussain dropped a catch off of his bowling, I don't see how anyone can complain with a return of 7-0-35-0. Another player whose bowling went for 35 runs today was Mark Ealham, of whom hardly anything seems to have been written either before this World Cup or during it. I think Ealham's a superb player and I'm amazed that he's not considered when it comes to the Tests. In case you're beginning to think I've got a thing about the number 35, I have. That's how old I am now. Someone at work said to me "So you're half way there then!" I said "Half way to dying?!" "No" they said, "half way to forty!" I can only assume they meant that life begins at thirty. Funny, I thought it was when you saw your first Depeche Mode concert!

Wednesday 26th May 1999: Sri Lanka v India at Taunton and South Africa v Kenya at Amstelveen
At last, one of my fantasy selections pays off! In the Oval World Fantasy League Sachin Tendulkar is the most selected player, but I am one of three, I think, who went instead for Sourav Ganguly (the rules of the competition prohibited us choosing both). His innings against Sri Lanka today means that the game will live long in the record books, if not in the memory. The stand of 318 between him and Rahul Dravid is now the highest for any wicket in ODI history, India's 373 became the second biggest in ODIs, Ganguly's 183 is the highest individual score in the World Cup and Dravid's 145 made him only the second player to score hundreds in two successive World Cup games. With figures of 10-0-84-1, Chaminda Vaas - or should I say "Vass"? - proved to be the most expensive of Sri Lanka's bowlers. Whenever I see him, I'm reminded that there a quite a few spelling mistakes on the players' shirts in this World Cup. Another one is "Inzimam"! Those with Ridley Jacobs in their fantasy team are laughing. What I could really do with tomorrow is "my" wicket-keeper, Adam Gilchrist, scoring some runs and taking some catches. I was amused to see a quote from him in today's Times: "You know you're in trouble when you get long lost friends ringing you up to tell you to keep your chin up. My mum even rang to tell me to do something about my technique!"

Thursday 27th May 1999: West Indies v Scotland at Leicester and Australia v Bangladesh at Chester-le-Street
In this morning's paper Justin Langer seemed to be making apologies for his fellow Australians. That's before they've even been eliminated from the World Cup, which I think they probably will be. "Although they will never use fatigue as an excuse, it is an obstacle that will have to be overcome" he wrote. As things turned out, we witnessed two of the most one-sided "international" cricket matches you could ever wish see today. Naturally I was glad to see Adam Gilchrist make 63 off of 39 deliveries, but Ridley Jacobs is still winning the battle of the 'keepers with four more catches in West Indies' eight wicket victory over Scotland. Bob Woolmer is said to be 90% certain to accept an offer to coach Warwickshire next season. This means that, with time running out, England will have to look elsewhere for David Lloyd's successor. Christopher Martin-Jenkins, writing in The Times on Monday, believes the Leicestershire pairing of Jack Birkenshaw and James Whitaker are ready-made replacements. I wouldn't disagree with him, though that hardly makes a change! The question is, will Leicester let them go? If they won't, David Gilbert wouldn't be the worst choice in the world. I know Gilbert is an Aussie, but he's such an inspirational character. Just what England need really.

Friday 28th May 1999: New Zealand v Pakistan at Derby
Although Inzamam-ul-Haq was made man of the match, the difference, for me, between today's opponents was the top order batting. Pakistan's openers went for it right from the start. In fact, one wondered how long the reckless bludgeoning would last. In no time at all they put on 40 for the first wicket. In stark contrast, New Zealand lost three batsmen making the same number of runs. Mind you, having Shoaib Akhtar in your attack makes a bit of a difference! Today he made Wasim Akram look like a medium-pacer. You could almost sense Nathan Astle and Matthew Horne backing away as Shoaib came running in to bowl. Apparently he's vowed to break the 100 mph barrier in this World Cup. Now he'll be given a chance to prove it. The speed gun, made popular during last summer's England v South Africa Test series, will be used throughout in the Super Sixes. What was no different today was the pitch invasion at the end of the game. In this morning's papers Surrey's chief executive Paul Sheldon sent out the wrong message, I felt, by saying that "so long as they (ie the spectators) wait for the players to leave, and do not go on the square" he had no problem with pitch invasions. What really makes me laugh is that if kids want to play on the outfield during lunch or tea at The Oval, they're stopped from doing so.

Saturday 29th May 1999: England v India at Edgbaston and Zimbabwe v South Africa at Chelmsford
Less than a week after The Times carried the headline 'Zimbabwe fall well wide of mark', the Zimbabweans find themselves through to the Super Sixes - courtesy of a astonishing win over South Africa - and England aren't. Neither are England likely to be, unless there is so much rain in Birmingham tomorrow that no further play is possible in their match against India. Knowing our luck play will start promptly at 10.45am, which will give India's bowlers the best possible conditions in which to finish off the hosts. I gather Nelson Mandela is so confident that South Africa will reach the World Cup semi-finals and that Thabo Mbeki will succeed him as President, Mbeki has been booked on a flight to England and some match tickets have been sorted out for him. As we saw at Chelmsford, it doesn't do to count one's chickens before they've hatched! I had expected to end today's entry by saying that, from England's point of view, we could do with the West Indies beating Australia tomorrow. Now, all I'm concerned with is that England can keep their tournament alive.

Sunday 30th May 1999: England v India at Edgbaston, Sri Lanka v Kenya at Southampton and West Indies v Australia at Old Trafford
In my heart of hearts I didn't think England were capable of getting the runs necessary to beat India today, but I thought they would have got a lot closer. The early dismissal of Graham Thorpe - along with those of Stewart and Hussain last weekend - must ensure that umpires Ahktar and Venkat won't be standing in the Final on 20 June. Thorpe was the only batsman who displayed the combined qualities of placement, timing and "stickability". Fairbrother did his utmost to rescue things, but Flintoff, Hollioake and Ealham all proved that it is wishful to regard them as all-rounders at this level. Of the three, I fear Adam Hollioake will be a long time in returning to the international stage. But, unlike his brother, I'd back him to do it. It's just a question of scoring big runs. A domestic trophy or two - starting with this year's championship - wouldn't do his chances of being our captain in the next World Cup any harm. Naturally, there will be a backlash due to England's early exit. Knowing the ECB, the answer will be to play more one-day cricket; as if that's character-building! It was assumed England had the advantage of playing in their own back yard. What people forgot, though, is that Azharuddin, Kumble, Srinath and Tendulkar - if we just take the Indians - have all played county cricket as well. Finally, I take back everything I said about the West Indies on Monday! Apart from Ridley Jacobs - again - and Brian Lara, who got what Jonathan Agnew described as "the ball of the tournament", they batted irresponsibly on what was, admittedly, a bowler's track at Old Trafford. Australia's "tactics" made the contest look closer than it was. Mind you, the way Scotland are playing, they may not have done enough to put New Zealand out.

Monday 31st May 1999: Scotland v New Zealand at Edinburgh and Pakistan v Bangladesh at Northampton
What is going on? I was convinced that Pakistan would have a 100% record going into the Super Sixes and, just like South Africa on Saturday, they trip up against one of the less fancied sides! The only thing you can say is that anybody is capable of beating anybody in one-day international cricket. However, there's nothing like survival to focus the minds, which it did for New Zealand today. I'm so glad that Australia's "go slow" proved to be an utter waste of time. The Kiwis' victory over Scotland means that the West Indies are the second "big" casualty of this World Cup. At the end of the day, they just didn't play consistently enough. What really amused me when I tuned into Radio Five Live this morning was a number of callers blaming England's World Cup exit on a combined Surrey and upper class bias. Are you trying to tell me that Alec Stewart's a toff, or that Graham Thorpe is only in the England team because he plays for Surrey? If that's what people want to believe, then great. I'm sure we can make use of them The Oval. However, as John Stern points out in today's Times, it won't be easy deciding who to drop at the moment, which is a nice problem for Surrey to be faced with.

Friday 4th June 1999: India v Australia (Super Six) at The Oval
With both sides "winless" coming into the Super Sixes, today's match could have been billed as an eliminator if Don King was organising the World Cup instead of the faceless (or should that be witless?) wonders of the ICC/ECB. As they keep on proving time and again, Australia are the masters when it comes to delivering the knockout blow. Prior to this match Dravid, Ganguly and Tendulkar had made an aggregate of 903 runs in their Group. When all three found themselves back in the dressing room with just twelve runs showing on the infallible Oval scoreboard, the Indians could be said to have been on the canvas - and seeing double - at the beginning of Round Six. As it turned out only Ajay Jadeja (100*) and Robin Singh (75) did see double, by which I mean double figures for India. With the bat, everyone played their part for the Aussies, who were led by Mark Waugh (whose 83 accounted for just 91 deliveries). Quite rightly, though, Glenn McGrath was named Man Of The Match for landing the initial, bruising blows. He's now taken eight wickets at an average of 6.25 in two matches, and has sent out the message that the radar is locked and on target once more!

Saturday 5th June 1999: South Africa v Pakistan (Super Six) at Trent Bridge
If this was a dress rehearsal for the World Cup Final, Pakistan need to try other ways of learning their lines between now and June 20. In the crucial final act, Lance Klusener induced such amnesia amongst the Pakistani bowlers that even experienced one-day campaigners like Wasim Akram and Saqlain Mushtaq were made to look stagestruck. If this had been the World Cup's climax, Klusener would almost certainly be carrying off the Player Of The Tournament award right now. After conceding just three boundaries from nine overs today, he punched and pulled six in 41 balls to post a tide-turning 46 not out. The powerful South African has now made 396, undefeated, in a run of ten ODIs. Earlier in proceedings Moin Khan produced a similar, and what I thought was to prove crucial, innings when he fashioned 63 from 56 deliveries; including a six off of Donald which could well be regarded as the shot of the tournament. But the result seemed to hinge on Jacques Kallis's request for the ball to be changed. With five overs left and South Africa still needing 44 to win, the "tactic" riled Shoaib Akhtar so much that was the FedEx speedgun began registering some of the fastest deliveries of the match. Crucially, one ball went for four byes, another was over shoulder height and, immediately, the tension eased - even if Shoaib didn't quite see it that way!

Sunday 6th June and Monday 7th June 1999: Zimbabwe v New Zealand (Super Six) at Headingley
What an injustice! The first match in the tournament, so far, to end unresolved with both sides taking a point. But let's face it, if New Zealand's innings had been allowed to run its course - or even another 10 overs - they would easily have knocked off the requirement which, when play ended yesterday, was 106 in 35 overs. Zimbabwe seem to be fated in this World Cup. Henry Olonga's unlikely heroics gave them a narrow victory over India, and when they came up against South Africa their neighbours were already assured of a place in the Super Sixes. If that's not enough, Zimbabwe's next two games are both in London, which should help enormously with their preparation. Last night, Horne and Astle appeared to be in the form of their lives before the Kiwis suffered a mini-collapse. Perhaps it was because Steve Rixon and Stephen Fleming had seen today's weather forecast. Whatever the team orders were, it worked and New Zealand can take encouragement from this into Thursday's encounter. The Kiwis' strength which, again, was in evidence in this game lies in their detachment of seamers. Allott, Cairns and company must deliver at least one more time to keep New Zealand in this World Cup. Saturday's game looks their best bet, with India likely to be out of the reckoning by then.

Tuesday 8th June 1999: India v Pakistan (Super Six) at Old Trafford
Pakistan began the day as everyone's favourites, but ended it at the crossroads. They're not out of this World Cup by any stretch of the imagination, but the Pakistanis will probably react in one of two ways to today's 47 run defeat against India - go down to Zimbabwe and run the risk of coming up against South Africa in the semis, or win their next three to lift the World Cup trophy. Wasim Akram's trump card is Saqlain Mushtaq. But I don't think he's making best use of Surrey's overseas signing. Against Australia Saqlain picked up vital wickets relatively early on. Another thing, of all the other sides still in contention only the Aussies have got a top-class spinner. Let's not forget the Final is being played at Lord's. Despite all of the highlights the Indians have contributed to this World Cup - like their narrow defeat against Zimbabwe, a record breaking day at Taunton, the elimination of England and today's highly polished performance - they're still too far adrift at the foot of the Super Six Table for my money. For a side making up the numbers, though, India can take a great deal of credit from their campaign. However, if I was Mohammed Azharuddin, I would bow out as soon as the World Cup is over rather than wait to be pushed.

Wednesday 9th June 1999: Zimbabwe v Australia (Super Six) at Lord's
I'm not known for my love of limited-overs cricket, so just imagine how I felt when I came home from the office to a boring finish. Okay, so Neil Johnson played extremely well and, yes, the stand between the Waugh twins was pure technique. But that's precisely why one-day cricket sells the public short on occasions. There's no scope for saying, go out there and get a double ton or share in a 300-run partnership. If this had been a Test match today, how many runs could Australia have made first up? By Friday, would the leg-spin of Warne or Strang have had the batsmen tied in knots? Sometimes, this form of the game is just too compact. All I can say is roll on the semis and spare me the curse of the net run rate! How encouraging it was to see that Leicestershire opened a new facility at Grace Road today. Why? Because they've decided to call it the Championship Lounge. Now that's got a nice ring to it. What a pity Surrey haven't managed to win the title twice in three years or, for that matter, twice in the last thirty. Perhaps we'll end our barren run before the Millennium!

Thursday 10th June 1999: South Africa v New Zealand (Super Six) at Edgbaston
For the second day running, the World Cup serves up another dull finish as the team batting last fends off its full quota of 50 overs. Am I the only one who thinks that Monday's "result" has negated any influence that net run rates might have had in deciding who finishes fourth and fifth in the Sixes table? Anyway, it wasn't all a waste of time today. Before the contest effectively ended in New Zealand's 35th over - when Cairns tried, unsuccessfully, to lift Klusener over the leg-side boundary - there were some notable South African performances on an Edgbaston pitch that didn't appear the easiest to read as time went on. Gibbs and Kirsten shared in a 176-run first wicket partnership plus Cronje found his touch with bat and ball. However, the day belonged to Jacques Kallis who followed up a quickfire fifty with the wickets of the New Zealand openers. Speaking at the end of tonight's BBC highlights programme, Viv Richards said he had a sneaking suspicion that Australia will end up as winners. In order to do so, they would need to beat South Africa in consecutive matches; assuming the Super Sixes pans out the way I think it will. All I can say is they might have been capable of doing it if you were playing for them Viv!

Friday 11th June 1999: Zimbabwe v Pakistan (Super Six) at The Oval
A combination of good fortune and some shoddy cricket from the Zimbabweans, culminating in a little bit of World Cup history from Saqlain Mushtaq, all contributed to Pakistan's resounding 148-run victory today. Saeed Anwar and Wajahatullah Wasti rode their luck in the inaugural exchanges, with the ball often being hit in the air. Anwar, who was named Man Of The Match, was dropped at slip on 20. To Zimbabwe's cost, he went on to make 103 off of 144 balls and anchored his side's innings proficiently. A target of 272 was rather less than it might have seemed at one stage, but any aspirations the Africans held were soon erased by Abdur Razzaq. Visibly relieved to see off Shoaib Ahktar's breakneck first spell - for loss only one - the Zimbabwean batsmen proceeded to hand his replacement at the Vauxhall End three soft dismissals. From a position of 50 for four Neil Johnson did his best to add some respectability, but was controversially adjudged leg before soon after reaching his fifty. After that, the only occurrence of note was Saqlain Mushtaq's hat-trick - two stumpings followed by an LBW - which rounded off a memorable day for the Pakistanis who are now assured of a semi-final place.

Saturday 12th June 1999: India v New Zealand (Super Six) at Trent Bridge
With much of the domestic programme hit by the weather - including, to my immense disappointment, the final day of Surrey's match at Leicester - the elements provided just enough playing time to prevent today's contest being held over. Friday's result decreed that this would be India's last appearance in the competition, so the neutrals, like myself, were all hoping for a New Zealand victory. It was duly realised - with night falling and ten balls to spare - and gives added significance to tomorrow's encounter; which Australia must win to stay in the World Cup. The Indians lost their way a little, after a productive start, to set their opponents 252 to win. Despite this being far more than New Zealand have chased previously, the pitch was playing well. In fact, Trent Bridge is as consistent a surface as you'll see anywhere. Strange, then, that it isn't due to be used in this summer's Test series. Azhar's decision to hold Anil Kumble's overs back appeared to be flawed as soon as the leg-spinner was brought on. Snarling at every moment of misfortune, he was visibly uptight throughout the closing overs. However, the match turned in Srinath's final over - the 48th. 20 from three soon became five off of two, and Twose and Parore carried their side into the last four.

Sunday 13th June 1999: South Africa v Australia (Super Six) at Headingley
At last, a Super Six game to live long in the memory. The turning point may well have been when Herschelle Gibbs dropped Steve Waugh in the 31st over, but let's not derogate the Aussie skipper's achievement. When Waugh came to the crease today, Australia were 48 for three. When he left the field, having made an unbeaten 120, his team had more than matched South Africa's efforts with the bat. Except, perhaps, for a gem of an innings by Ricky Ponting, the crowd at Leeds were treated to a one man show this afternoon. Only one word can describe it - "Class". Class told in the end and the South Africans - particularly Hansie Cronje, whose own form has been woeful - must be wondering if they've got the character to bounce back on Thursday. Personally, I can't see Australia beating them a second time, but I've been wrong in the past. Like, for example, when I said that net run rate wouldn't decide fourth and fifth place in the Super Sixes! Earlier today, when South African were 140 for one and picking off runs at will, few would have given Australia a chance, then, of reaching the semi-finals. But with Shane Warne to call on, you're always in with a chance. In the space of four deliveries he accounted for his old adversary Daryll Cullinan as well as the South African captain. If the Boks were pegged back, however, it wasn't for long. Herschelle Gibbs and Jonty Rhodes had put on 78 for the fourth wicket at more than a run a ball, before a tired-looking Gibbs (101) fell to McGrath. Klusener got in on the act with a quickfire 36, but I always thought that the South Africans had begun their final assault just a little too late.

Wednesday 16th June 1999: Pakistan v New Zealand (Semi-Final) at Old Trafford
Pakistan were absolutely invincible today. On a good pitch New Zealand were reduced to 58 for three in their first 15 overs. Then, when Stephen Fleming looked as though he might, at long last, contribute a captain's knock, Shoaib Akhtar was unleashed to spectacular effect. If the ball that accounted for Fleming wasn't the fastest in the World Cup so far, I'd like to see which one betters it for speed! Roger Twose wrung 46 from 83 deliveries and Chris Cairns chipped in with a swift 44 not out. In the final analysis, however, the Kiwis were greatly indebted to the 47 extras that came their way. A target of 242 never looked like it was going to be sufficient, but for 35 overs the Pakistani openers were content to keep things on a par. When Wajahatullah Wasti was dismissed for 84 his countrymen still needed another 48 from 9.3 overs. But with wickets in hand and the crowd noise rising, Saeed Anwar and Ijaz Ahmed were moved to knock them off in just seven. Anwar was in truly prolific form today. His 113 only contained nine boundaries, but all of them were textbook. The only question is has he, and the Pakistanis generally, peaked too soon? As much as Pakistan have been one of the few truly distinguished teams in this World Cup, their followers have shown themselves to be the most odious. On at least two occasions today play was suspended to allow a cluster of firecrackers to detonate, and the end of the match was marred by yet another pitch invasion. I wouldn't have minded - no, actually, I did mind - but it wasn't by any means certain that Saeed Anwar had hit the winning runs! Rarely, it seems, have the ground authorities done enough to prevent a catastrophe. It's only because nobody has been hurt, like Terry Alderman was at Perth in 1982, that this subject is still regarded a non-issue.

Thursday 17th June 1999: Australia v South Africa (Semi-Final) at Edgbaston
I thought I'd seen everything ... until today. My two "firsts" were witnessing Graham Thorpe falling to a rash stroke in Surrey's match against Lancashire and seeing wheels come off of the South African machine. All week, it seems, the Aussies have been referring to the Boks as "chokers" and, to my utter astonishment, their mind games paid off. The pendulum swung so many times during South Africa's chase, it's hard to remember all of the decisive moments without the benefit of videotaped highlights. Chasing a modest target of 214 - which had been built around Steve Waugh and Michael Bevan's 90-run fifth wicket partnership - the South African openers got things off to a sound start. But, with his very first delivery, Shane Warne produced a "pearler" to account for Herschelle Gibbs. Gibbs, who had looked totally assured, was soon joined in the showers by Kirsten and Cronje. Even though Hansie Cronje was the victim of a poor decision, the Aussie leg-spinner had taken three wickets in nine balls! Kallis and Cullinan then opted for consolidation, but it was no surprise when the pressure eventually told. Not so when Jonty Rhodes (43 off of 55 balls) and Shaun Pollock (20 from 14) were at the crease, though. In the 41st over, with 69 needed to win, however, Paul Reiffel tempted Rhodes to go for another big hit. Instead of clearing the boundary rope, the ball went straight to Bevan at deep square. The pendulum then swung at least four more times until 16 were needed off of eight balls. At that stage, you wouldn't have given South Africa an earthly. But then, incredibly, Lance Klusener hit an assisted six and two fours. With the scores level and three deliveries in which to make the winning run, nobody imagined that a tie - which it had been established would hand Australia the game - was a feasible outcome. However, a total mix-up caused Donald's downfall - run out - and I had to pinch myself to actually believe what I'd seen. The Final can't possibly top this game for excitement, can it?!

Sunday 20th June 1999: Australia v Pakistan (Final) at Lord's
Will the real Pakistan team please step forward? Only one word describes today's World Cup Final - "Anticlimax". Maybe that's two words, but you know what I mean. After 38 days, in which twelve teams had striven to reach the position that Australia and Pakistan found themselves in today, the 42nd match of the 1999 World Cup was arguably the most iniquitous in terms of entertainment value. Falling, as it did, a day after Edward and Sophie's wedding, it would be difficult to say which event lived up to expectations. Sure, you can relish the bowling of Warne and the Aussies' ground game, not forgetting Gilchrist's strokeplay, but I don't anticipate the highlights video selling by the lorryload - not even in Sydney or Melbourne. Wasim Akram won the toss and, predictably, chose to bat. After all, five of the previous six World Cup finals had been won by the side batting first and, before today, that was Pakistan's perceived strength. If they were going to make a big total at Lord's, though, it was important that one of the openers dropped anchor. Within 5.1 overs, both Saeed Anwar and Wajahatullah Wasti were back in the pavilion. Wasti was the victim of a brilliant catch at second slip, but Saeed's downfall was entirely of his own making. As was the case in Australia's last two games, Shane Warne's brief was to take wickets. With Pakistan already struggling at 69 for three, when he was introduced at the Nursery End, Warne soon accounted for Ijaz Ahmed and Moin Khan. By promoting Moin in the order, it was clear that Pakistan had resolved to hit their way out of trouble. It was vital that his partnership with Inzamam was productive, even if it wasn't long. It lasted all of four overs, and produced just 14 runs. 91 for five soon became for 104 for six, when Inzamam-ul-Haq was controversially caught behind. After that, only Akram's belligerence is worthy of a mention. In reply, Mark Waugh and Adam Gilchrist played like Graham Thorpe had done on Thursday - as if they had a plane to catch. Chasing a target of 133, the pair raced to fifty in the eighth over. The situation demanded a total rethink on Pakistan's part, and Shoaib Akhtar was withdrawn from the attack. He returned later, but final figures of 4-0-37-0 was hardly a fitting postscript to what he contributed to the tournament. Gilchrist's half century took him just 33 balls. Of the many paradoxes in this Final, the most intriguing is that the side with the best pinch-hitter on the day won. Saqlain Mushtaq brought about the keeper's downfall with his first ball, but, with only 58 more needed to win off of 39.5 overs, the game was over as a contest.

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