Interesting Benson & Hedges World Series 1994/95

[leonidas_alexandar]

Does anyone remember watching or reading about the Benson & Hedges World Series 1994/95?

What is insane to me is Australia fielded two teams - Australia and Australia A along with England and Zimbabwe for this series.

And guess what - Australia and Australia A made it to the best of 3 finals.

I gather that this arrangement of a country fielding two teams in the same tournament met with severe backlash - to the point where the erstwhile ACB never repeated this again.

It also became a bit of a farce as any game involving Australia A was not considered a regular ODI.

Any memories from the PP'ers here of this series?

In a lighter vein - if BCCI were to propose a series involving two Indian teams - what would be the reaction today - of the other prospective participating boards and the general cricket public and pundits?

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2321109-world-series-cup-199495-when-two-australia-teams-were-better-than-one

 

[Statpadder Inc]

In a lighter vein - if BCCI were to propose a series involving two Indian teams

We already have that, it's called USA

 

[sweep_shot]

Benson Hedges used to be a great series. I hope they would bring it back.

I didn't watch this particular series but I watched the WI-Pakistan-Aus one (Pakistan won).

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

Benson Hedges used to be a great series. I hope they would bring it back.

I didn't watch this particular series but I watched the WI-Pakistan-Aus one (Pakistan won).

Yeah I used to love those tri-series. But with the changed economic model - those games not involving Australia were losing a lot of money - which is why they discontinued with it.

 

[pakistani pride]

Benson Hedges used to be a great series. I hope they would bring it back.

I didn't watch this particular series but I watched the WI-Pakistan-Aus one (Pakistan won).

Really?
Pak won a tri series in Aus, when?

 

[sweep_shot]

Really?
Pak won a tri series in Aus, when?

Pakistan won this one: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996–97_Australia_Tri-Nation_Series.

 

[TheSultan]

I remember this and iirc this is where the world was introduced to Adam Gilchrist

 

[TheSultan]

Really?
Pak won a tri series in Aus, when?

That was an amazing series and as usual we didn’t push on from there.

I remember reading an article in one of the major UK newspapers that said looking at that Pakistan and the potential of it with so many young players - Afridi, Saqlain, Shahid Nazir, Zahid - Pakistan were destined to take Australia’s crown for the best team in the world in the coming years.

 

[sweep_shot]

That was an amazing series and as usual we didn’t push on from there.

I remember reading an article in one of the major UK newspapers that said looking at that Pakistan and the potential of it with so many young players - Afridi, Saqlain, Shahid Nazir, Zahid - Pakistan were destined to take Australia’s crown for the best team in the world in the coming years.

I was surprised Aussies got eliminated in their own backyard. I thought it would be Australia vs Pakistan in the final.

Pakistan crushed Windies in the finals despite Windies topping the group stage.

 

[Ahmed216]

I remember this and iirc this is where the world was introduced to Adam Gilchrist

No, Gilchrist debuted in India against South Africa in 96 or 97.
Edit : Did he play for Aus A in B&H?

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

I remember this and iirc this is where the world was introduced to Adam Gilchrist

I do not think he played in this series - as his ODI debut was in 1996.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

No, Gilchrist debuted in India against South Africa in 96 or 97.
Edit : Did he play for Aus A in B&H?

No he did not play for Aus A in that season.

 

[TheSultan]

No he did not play for Aus A in that season.

You’re right - it was Ponting, Blewett, Damian Martyn, Bevan. You can see why that Aus A made the final ahead of England and Zimbabwe. Serious batting talent in that team

 

[TheSultan]

I was surprised Aussies got eliminated in their own backyard. I thought it would be Australia vs Pakistan in the final.

Pakistan crushed Windies in the finals despite Windies topping the group stage.

I just wish there was more extended footage of that series. Especially Zahid. The finals are available but very little of the earlier rounds where Zahid featured.

 

[sweep_shot]

I just wish there was more extended footage of that series. Especially Zahid. The finals are available but very little of the earlier rounds where Zahid featured.

I remember Zahid was bowling beautifully. Tall and lanky pacer. Causing all sorts of problems.

I think you can check on YouTube. YouTube may have clips from this series (I have seen before).

 

[TheSultan]

I remember Zahid was bowling beautifully. Tall and lanky pacer. Causing all sorts of problems.

I think you can check on YouTube. YouTube may have clips from this series (I have seen before).

I have seen some - but very limited Zahid footage and quite grainy

 

[JaDed]

That tri series not the Aus A one but Aus WI Pak was the best tri series ever , man I still remember Akram getting someone bowled and the ball flew for a boundary after hitting thr stumpsand Moin couldn’t stop.

Also the quality of the broadcast was insane, PCT is a joke now.

 

[sweep_shot]

Really?
Pak won a tri series in Aus, when?

Pakistan won the 1997 tri-series and also 2002 ODI series.

Pakistan beat Australia 2-1 in Australia. That was a good series too. Check: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistani_cricket_team_in_Australia_in_2002.

 

[Ahmed216]

Pakistan won the 1997 tri-series and also 2002 ODI series.

Pakistan beat Australia 2-1 in Australia. That was a good series too. Check: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistani_cricket_team_in_Australia_in_2002.

Games in 2002 series were played indoors in Melbourne.
Shoaib Akhtar was breathing fire saw Aussie batsmen run away from line of the ball against him

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Games in 2002 series were played indoors in Melbourne.
Shoaib Akhtar was breathing fire saw Aussie batsmen run away from line of the ball against him

That was the last time Pakistan were a truly great ODI team. This series was the end of peak Pakistan and peak Akhtar in ODIs.

 

[Devadwal]

That was the last time Pakistan were a truly great ODI team. This series was the end of peak Pakistan and peak Akhtar in ODIs.

Wasn't Pakistan favourite in 2003 world cup ? They had a great team

 

[TheSultan]

The 2003 World Cup was a tragedy which unfolded precisely because of that performance in 2002. It dawned on the team that they realistically had a great chance of winning the 2003 World Cup. Wasim thought this was the perfect opportunity to cap off his career with a World Cup win as captain.

And all the games began again. Groupings, infighting etc etc.

No doubt wasim was a better captain than Waqar, but Wasim should have just left it and let it play out.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Wasn't Pakistan favourite in 2003 world cup ? They had a great team

Maybe on paper. But after this particular series , they got smashed by SA, SL, OZ in multiple tournaments heading into the World Cup.

Team looked old, Akhtar was unfit, Razzaq's bowling declined shockingly fast etc.

 

[globetrotter]

Benson and hedges was a great world cricket series, the reason for its popularity was they are the first introduced Color clothings, day-night matches, white ball and amazing television coverage by channel nine & Ritchie Benaurd’s commentary

Still remembered India-Pakistan final in 1985 B&H World Series which India won.. Sunil Gavaskar was the captain

Their day games were started at early morning at 5.00 a.m. IST.