Cricketing Caesar by Mark Peel

Author:Mark Peel
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pitch Publishing
Published: 2020-06-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

A Missed Opportunity

AFTER a year short of runs, Brearley hoped for better things from the 1979 season. One of the wettest Mays on record afforded him few opportunities but 73* against Essex and 148* against Gloucestershire provided valuable preparation for the World Cup – to be held in England in June.

The second World Cup, officially called the Prudential Cup, lacked some of the drama and glamour of the inaugural one, especially since Australia chose to send a second-string side. While the West Indies once again started as clear favourites, England also fancied their chances and they began in confident fashion against Australia before a full house at Lord’s. Winning the toss on a cool, overcast morning, Brearley employed his secret weapon just before lunch when he brought Boycott into the attack. He responded by removing opener Andrew Hilditch and captain Kim Hughes in the space of six tidy overs and, once Border was out for 34, the rest of the batting offered little, leaving England 160 to win. They lost Boycott and Randall early on but Brearley hunkered down while Gooch played his shots and their third-wicket stand of 108 propelled them towards a comfortable victory.

After an easy win against Canada, England faced a stern test against Pakistan, much strengthened by the return of their Packer players. In autumnal conditions at Headingley, their batting failed dismally, with Brearley out for his second consecutive nought, and only a ninth-wicket stand of 43 between Taylor and Willis gave them a veneer of respectability. Requiring 166 to win, Pakistan were undone by excellent bowling by Hendrick and at 34/6 they appeared beaten. A defiant 51 by Asif Iqbal kept their hopes alive and after he was caught by Brearley off Willis, Imran Khan, batting at number nine, took up the cudgels. Once again Brearley resorted to Boycott and once again he delivered by dismissing the last two men, to give England victory by 14 runs.

By finishing top of their group, England faced New Zealand in the semi-final. In sunny conditions at Old Trafford, they were sent in to bat and received their customary bad start. Brearley, however, played sensibly for 53, Gooch made a spectacular 71 and a late flourish from Randall took them to 221/8 off their allotted overs. Opener John Wright provided the grit in the New Zealand innings and after he was run out for 69, the lower order took up the baton so that the result came down to the final over, sent down by Botham. With 14 needed, it proved a tad too much for New Zealand and England won a fluctuating match by 7 runs. Afterwards, Edmonds recalls driving back to London with Brearley. ‘It was a bit of a tense trip. He kept saying: “How can we possibly beat the West Indians?” I felt then that he was not expecting to win, and that he was going to be satisfied with a good personal performance. I thought that then. It was rather cynical of me to think that.

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