On this day in 1999: McGrath and Gillespie clean up West Indies for just 51 runs
Glenn McGrath. The name evokes a sense of dread and respect in the world of cricket. McGrath’s machine-like accuracy, his ability to hit the deck hard and also make the cherry move at will marked him out as a champion of his time.
And, on 8th March 1999, McGrath combined with Jason Gillespie to gobble up the West Indian batting line up and helped Australia trounce West Indies by 312 runs at Port of Spain. Australia won the toss and decided to bat first. Even though many of their willow wielders got starts, not one of them could convert it into a three-figure score. Greg Blewett top-scored for the kangaroos with 58, as Australia ended their first innings with their scorecard reading 269.
In reply, the West Indian side was shot out for just 167. Glenn McGrath absolutely destroyed the hosts with a lethal spell of fast bowling. The pace bowling legend picked up 5 wickets in his 14 overs and gave away only 50 runs. Skipper Brian Lara top-scored for the hosts, by plundering a stroke-filled 62.
Michael Slater scored a splendid 205-ball 106 for the kangaroos and helped the visitors score 261 in the second essay. However, in the second innings, the West Indian side was blown away by the fast-bowling duo of Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie. In fact, the first 5 West Indian wickets fell with the scorecard reading 16. Such was the miserable performance by the hosts, that apart from Ridley Jacobs, none of the West Indian willow wielders could even cross double digits.
The destroyer-in-chief in the second innings was once again Glenn McGrath. The Aussie pacer took 5 wickets, giving away just 28 runs. He was supported by Jason Gillespie, who took 4 wickets in 9.1 overs, as the West Indian side was bowled out for a paltry 51 runs.
Australia won the match by a humongous margin of 312 runs. And needless to say, pace bowling icon Glenn McGrath was awarded the Man of the Match award for his riveting performance with the ball in hand.
