Thread by @CricVestigate

Our previous piece's discussion on rare MoM awards @MCG in losing causes led us to posting about one of the most memorable Test bowling performances ever seen on Australian soil.

@TheRealPCB's legendary @wasimakramlive at MCG in 1990 (~overshadowed by WC win 2yrs later).

[1/20]

Imran elected to field against a batting lineup in excellent form. Since the start of the triumphant 89 Ashes series, 5 of Aus' top 6 played in all 9 Tests, collectively scoring over 4k runs at an avg of 70+.

Wasim started with a barrage of teasing outswingers to Taylor.

[2/20]

Last ball of Wasim's 2nd over pitched just outside off, straightened to take Taylor’s outside edge and Javed dropped a sitter. Several plays and misses and a few body blows (often overstepped when delivering a bouncer) continued till lunch (Australia 0/47 after 27 overs).

[3/20]

Aus at 0/90 after 3 hrs, Wasim came round the wkt to Marsh, angled in to pitch on 6th stump line, moved away a bit, and caught behind.

Same line next ball, ~fuller, Boon shouldered arms anticipating movement away; instead, ball thudded back onto the pads for LBW. #Genius

[4/20]

Border walked in, faced Wasim’s 1st ball of the next over (hattrick ball). Back over the wkt, beautiful length ball angled in to pitch ¾ft outside off and continued to move in; but Border somehow managed to play just inside the line to survive. It was an enthralling over.

[5/20]

Border fought in typical fashion, but was eventually undone by the combination of relentless and accurate attacking bowling with variety and shrewdness.

Wasim came round the wkt(!), floated it up to AB, who again tried to play inside the line, but edged to wide 3rd slip.

[6/20]

Aus’ lower order got through to stumps unscathed after AB. Day 2, Wasim started indifferently (not unusual for him with long term groin issue). Last ball, rip snorter of a bouncer (again, overstepped), followed by a (yorker-gone-'wrong') knee-high full toss to Sleep: LBW.

[7/20]

Having opted not to take the 2nd new ball, Wasim delivered a splendid late movement into Healy’s pads. Umpire gave not out (height); an ~unplayable over survived by Healy. 3rd over (Pak's #88, Wasim's #29) was somewhat uneventful(!) besides the customary plays and misses.

[8/20]

1st ball next over, Merv got inside the line to hook a sharp bumper, but it went over his head. Wasim followed it with a faster bouncer (touch lower so couldn’t duck and more across so couldn’t get inside the line). Gloved behind, WK fumbled but 1st slip took the rebound.

[9/20]

Alderman could only survive one fast, late incoming delivery before getting caught at silly mid-on. Rackemann somehow survived Wasim’s last two deliveries before Aaqib finished off next over.

Wasim ended with 6 for 62 in 30 overs (Imran + Waqar + Aaqib combined: 4/127).

[10/20]

Lawry said on air “he’s the best fast bowler we’ve seen for some time” and Chappelli reminded him of Hadlee’s 15-for at ‘Gabba 85. Wasim demonstrated his entire range in one innings. New and old ball swing at express pace, accuracy and tactical nous: angles, lengths etc.

[11/20]

Pak were bowled out for 107 (with nobody reaching 20). With 116 lead, Aussie openers continued to play and miss a lot, esp. against Wasim (also had Boon LBW later, ~identical to 1st inn, off a 'no-ball').

Wasim struck thrice when Aus were 3/216 (to 6/220) to 'buy' time.

[12/20]

Wasim also dismissed Healy and Sleep to curtail aggressive scoring, but lone hand wasn’t quite enough. Aus decl’d at 8/312 (target 429). Wasim took 5/98 (41.4 overs); 3 other pacers: 1/144 (51 overs) #lonewolf

Despite strong middle order fightback, Pak lost by 92 runs.

[13/20]

Where does this performance of 11/160 (71.4 overs) rank?

This was the 1st 10-for of the 1990s, to continue the pace domination of 10-fors over spinners established by Lillee (over Underwood) in the 1970s & carried admirably by many all-time greats throughout the 1980s.

[14/20]

This remains only the 2nd MoM award for a bowler in a losing cause @MCG. This once in a lifetime fast bowling performance perhaps laid the foundation for why many Australian cricketers and commentators still consider Wasim Akram as perhaps the greatest pace bowler ever.

[15/20]

This was Wasim’s second 10-for in a losing cause. He’d end with three 10-fors in losses (across 3 different decades, in 3 different countries - all away Tests).

No other bowler in history suffered that fate. There were 5 spinners and a pacer with two 10-fors in losses.

[16/20]

Wasim became the youngest visiting pacer to take a 10-for on Aus soil since Lohmann in 1887. Despite a good debut series (*youngest ever 10-for in 2nd Test) in NZ, Wasim had moderate few years, before kick-starting his peak in this Test.

*supposedly E. Haque jnr in 2005

[17/20]

How about the remaining series?

In the 2nd Test, Wasim made a 50, took a 5-for & made a brilliant match-saving 100 from effectively 5 for 6. He is one of 8 cricketers to have achieved that unique treble (only other all lefty was Sobers & only other from #7 was Botham).

[18/20]

Drawn 3rd Test, during Sydney's wettest week for 100 yrs, saw <12 hrs of play scattered over 3 days (incl. extra day).

Wasim was deservedly named MoS.

On a side note, his batting also took off from mid-teen avg to 20+ with this series. Some might say, he underachieved!

[19/20]

Every 2 to 3 decades, #Cricket produced a “father of modern fast bowling” great. Since WW II, it was Lindwall (1940s), then Lillee (1970s).

It’s fair to say, Wasim was the leader of a great generation of fast bowlers that delayed the spin domination to the 21st century.

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