Internet is a place where even the unreal thing has it’s potential to become viral. Imagine the intense of effect for an unreal reality. It’s bound to break the shackles!
So, this scorecard became the sensation of the cricket arena which took the internet by storm. A mere scorecard? Obviously, a team must’ve made wonders. Or, one player as a team in herself. Maybe? Let’s take an insight into this. Before that, rewinding to one such similar saga.
There was one such bizarre match that took place which dates back to February 18, 2008. It was ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifying match. South Africa women clashed against Bermuda women from pool A. Winning the toss, South Africa women had chosen to field. In no time, Bermuda team crumbled. With 8 ducks and just three players scoring a run each, they closed at 13 and 10 runs coming from extras, playing 18 overs! That’s a total where extras exceeded the actual runs scored. In the chase, South Africa managed to win within an over with their boundary going for four and a single run facing legal four balls. Bermuda had given 10 extras in the form of 9 wides and 1 no ball. That’s again a total where extras exceeded the actual runs scored. This time, by the defending team, too.
Here’s the gist:
Now escalating to the stormy scorecard! The match was a domestic level cricket match of South Africa. On December 12, 2016, the match unfolded at Pretoria, South Africa. With the under-19 girls playing, the teens took over. It was Mpumalanga Under-19s Women versus Eastern Under-19s Women. The toss was won by Mpumalanga U19 – Women who decided to bat 1st.
It was all the usual start, until Mpumalanga U19 started to bat. Openers C Swanepoel and S Swart came in to bat. C Swanepoel got out for a duck after facing 10 balls. Just that it was followed by 9 ducks by her teammates in Mpumalanga Under-19s, while the team’s total ended up as 169 for the opponents Eastern Under-19s to chase. Yes, you read that right. The ‘team’ managed 169 with 9 ducks. There was the lone warrior in a quest for her team, S Swart. Scoring an unbeaten 160 off 86 balls containing 18 fours and 12 sixes, with 9 extras added to it, Swart put forth a commendable total for Eastern Under-19s.
That does not end there. The chase began. Eastern Under-19s fell short to chase the target by 42 runs. Mpumalanga Under-19s won the match. S Swart had her part played in the bowling department too, she picked 2 wickets, the maximum of her team. The teenager redefined the team game by being a team, the lone warrior to end on a high note victoriously.
Here’s the scorecard:
Cricket seems to add it’s own essence of peculiarity. Reckon there’s more to the unusual matches and it’s bizarre scorecards. Two different cases, some similar lessons. It’s the undying hope. A will to withstand. A strength to believe in oneself more than anyone. A thirst for the ultimatum. Kept going, did the unimaginable, left everyone awestruck.
The South African women did it then, now S Swart did it single-handedly. They personified why cricket is more than just a sport. Stood by their strength while they made their opponents’ flaws as an opportunity to strengthen. You keep going or you’ll be gone. It’s all about preying the right opportunity. You make your mark or bite the dust.
That’s how the game seeps its insight into the game of life. Indeed, cricket is life.
The scorecards can also be found at:
ESPN Cricinfo
Websports
