After a run fest in Mumbai where the cricketers were outnumbered by Bollywood celebrities and David Beckham moved around more than most of the fielders, it was time for the second semi-final of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup between Australia and South Africa at the Eden Gardens. Being a so-called neutral clash, I expected Eden to not be packed to the rafters, at least not from the get-go. Proving me wrong, Kolkatans turned up in droves alongside Australians and South Africans for the first World Cup semi-final in the City of Joy since 1996. While the walk to the stands was not as chaotic as the India-South Africa game, Eden was teeming with people long before the toss.
While waiting for my friend to arrive, I felt relaxed at the thought of not having my emotions see-saw through the match as they had done the previous night. Soon, I spotted two South Africans waiting outside the stadium. This was their first match at this World Cup and they were far from the only ones supporting the Proteas. Several of them wore Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen shirts while the Australian fans mostly had David Warner on their backs. As expected, there was a healthy sprinkling of Indian jerseys in the crowd on a gloomy but cool day in Kolkata that promised engaging cricket. There was one more promise in the air, that of rain.
Plenty to cheer for the Aussies in the early going as South Africa found themselves in dire straits
Eden had more South African fans than Australian ones on Thursday Ayaskanta Dey
Once my friend had reached, we made our way to the stands just as the toss got underway. After locating our seats, I saw a few Aussies seated a few rows behind me. It was a group of 20 ladies and gents from Down Under, all proudly donning their jerseys, with one lady even having her face painted completely in green and yellow. The group featured people from Queensland to Sydney, from Perth to Melbourne. They had first been to Mumbai to see arch rivals New Zealand head home before making the journey east to cheer on the Kangaroos.
There was plenty to cheer for the Aussies in the early going as South Africa found themselves in dire straits at 24 for four. Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc made the Eden wicket look like anything but a batting paradise. Going for a drink in the first drinks break proved to be a good idea as the covers were brought on shortly after. Ironically, that is when the ground started buzzing, as fans danced to the tunes of the DJ and enjoyed themselves. I saw a young Australian supporter with a poster drawing of Glenn Maxwell, with the words “Gladiator Maximus”. Most of the crowd, however, were still hung over on Mohammed Shami from the first semi-final, which became evident when the highlights were replayed on the giant screen during the rain delay. “India! India!” started resonating across Eden, with the Men in Blue destined for Ahmedabad.
Miller entertains with the bat, Warner with his feet
Once the action resumed, the crowd took its time to warm up. David Miller finally got them going by cutting loose against Adam Zampa. Warner, still a long way from entertaining with the bat, gave into the crowd’s repeated requests near the boundary line by showing off some of his moves. But it was Killer Miller who stole the show with a fabulous counter-attacking century, as Klaasen chipped in with 47. South Africa ended their innings at 212, one short of the total posted by Australia against them at the same stage of the World Cup 24 years ago. On that occasion, South Africa had choked en route to defeat in spectacular fashion. This time around, they threatened to capitulate altogether, thanks to an explosive start by Warner and Travis Head.
Eden rocked and swayed as the two pocket dynamos used the pace of the South African quicks to make it rain sixes. It seemed like Australia would chase down their target inside 25 overs, before Aiden Markram broke through by getting rid of Warner. Most of the capacity crowd roared in applause, indicating that South Afrcia had prevailed in terms of support in the stands. As Kagiso Rabada ran in to bowl to Mitchell Marsh, someone behind me shouted: “Rabada Kar de Kabada!” The weirdest spell that J.K. Rowling did not write worked its magic as Rassie van der Dussen took flight to take a stunning catch off Rabada’s delivery to dismiss Marsh. Strangely, the spell was never chanted again. And nor did Rabada pick up any more wickets. Maxwell, no stranger to casting spells himself, walked in after a phase of play during which Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne seemed to mistake the white ball for a red one. But Maxwell was cleaned up by Tabraiz Shamsi, who proceeded to do his evening workout by breaking into a premature victory lap.
A pitch invasion gets Eden going before Australia get the jitters
Cummins hit the winning runs as Australia crawled into the final with 16 balls to spare Getty Images
Maxwell’s departure was the cue for more cautious batting from the Aussies, as Josh Inglis tried to consolidate with Smith. The crowd began to go quiet, even restless. Until a spark was provided by a pitch invader, who managed to get as far as the 30-yard circle, evading the security, to click a selfie with the ever-obliging Miller. Eventually, the police took him beyond the advertisement boards and escorted him towards the clubhouse, with many in the crowd giving the man a standing ovation! That pitch invasion jolted Eden back to life, as some inspired fast bowling by Gerald Coetzee, who removed both Smith and Inglis, opened up the game. Mexican waves flooded the stadium, unprompted by the DJ, as Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc got together to help Australia crawl to victory. The last intense half an hour felt more like the last day of a Test match rather than the death overs of a 50-over contest. Ultimately, some sloppy fielding from South Africa and nerves of steel from the Aussies took the latter home, with 16 balls to spare.
With that, my role as an eyewitness at Eden for this World Cup comes to an end. Across three matches, I have seen everything from eccentric fans to unforgettable knocks to inadvertent instances of comedy — moments that will last a lifetime. Having hosted just one World Cup game in 2011, Eden has delivered and how 12 years later! Onto Ahmedabad now, where I hope to witness the biggest match in the sport live up to its billing. Twenty years ago, Australia had humiliated India in the final in Johannesburg. On Sunday, a shot at redemption awaits.
