Birthday special: Mike Gatting – Top 3 performances in cricket
Former England cricketer Mike Gatting turns 66 years old on Tuesday, June 6 at 2023. The right-handed batter made his debut against Pakistan in an ODI in 1977 and went on to represent his country in 92 ODIs and 79 Tests. The Middlesex-born batter scored 2095 runs in ODIs at an average of 29.50 with one hundred and nine fifties to his name. In Tests, Gatting scored 4409 runs in 79 matches at an average of 35.55 with ten hundreds and 21 fifties to his name. As he turns 66, let’s take a look at his top three performances in international cricket:
1. 115* (135) vs India, 1st ODI, Pune, December 5, 1984
After England won the toss and elected to field first, India posted a total of 214/6 in 45 overs courtesy of a splendid hundred by Dilip Vengsarkar (105 off 124). In reply, England lost 3 wickets for just 47 runs on the board. However, Gatting held one end and played a scintillating knock of 115 off 135 balls to help his side chase down the target in 43.2 overs. As a result, England won the match by four wickets and both Vengsarkar and Gatting were jointly awarded Player of the Match awards. Notably, it remains the only century of Gatting’s ODI career.
2. 207 vs India, 4th Test, Chennai, January 13-18 1985
After bundling out India for just 272 in the first innings, England aimed for a huge first innings lead. To help their cause, Graeme Flower (201) and Mike Gatting (207) scored scintillating double hundreds to help their side reach a massive score of 652/7. India ended up scoring 412 in the second innings setting a target of 33 for England to win in the fourth innings. The visitors chased down the target with nine wickets in hand and won the game. Notably, it was Gatting’s only double hundred of his Test career.
3. 96 (131) vs Australia, 2nd ODI, Birmingham, June 06, 1981
England put Australia to bat first and the Aussies posted 249/8 in 55 overs. In reply, England were 36/3 in the second innings. However, Gatting took it upon himself to bail his team out of trouble with his magnificent knock of 96 off 131 balls. Unfortunately, he failed to take his side home and got dismissed with the score on 244/9. England were bundled out for 247 in 54.5 overs and lost the match by two runs. Gatting was awarded Player of the Match for his incredible knock that went in vain.
