Recalling the
monumental upset when the mighty West Indies were stunned by India in the 1983
Prudential World Cup final, pacer Joel Garner said that the loss was the
biggest disappointment of his decade-long cricket career.
Chasing 184 for
victory in the 60-overs-a-side game at the Lord’s, reigning champions West
Indies slumped from 50 for two to 140 all out in what proved to be the biggest
upset of the mega-event.
Coming in to bat at
No.5, the 6 feet 8 inch tall pacer remained unbeaten on five off 19 deliveries
and he saw the last West Indian wicket to fall after Man of the Match Mohinder
Amarnath (26 and 3-12) trapped Michael Holding lbw.
“You know when we
chase small totals, everybody looks to the next person to finish the job,”
Garner was quoted as saying in a Tony Cozier.
Winner of two
previous edition, 1975 and 1979, West Indies were overwhelming favourites
against India who had not even crossed the league hurdle in the two previous
editions.
“Overconfidence is a
hell of a thing,” Garner says. “It was just that they took it for granted that
they would make the 183.”
Sharing the new ball
with Andy Roberts, Garner (1-24) played his part in bundling out the Kapil
Dev-led side for a paltry sum in 54.4 overs and the Barbados-born was livid
with the batting show.
“Afterwards, I went
into the dressing room, packed my bags and went to the presentation,” he said.
“I then went into the Tavern, had a few drinks and went back to the
Westmoreland hotel that was just across the road.”
“There must have been 5000
Indian fans there in the lobby with their cowbells and their music, taunting
‘We beat you’ I said to myself, ‘You mean I’ve got to put up with this!read more....
