Feat of minuscule proportions finally goes under
The Age
Monday January 4, 2010
THE SCG has been the scene of records and folklore galore: the last hurrahs of Greg Chappell, Dennis Lillee and Rod Marsh; Allan Border's 10,000th Test run; Shane Warne's 300th Test wicket; Ricky Ponting's twin tons in his 100th Test.There have also been the retirements of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Justin Langer; Steve Waugh's boundary-off-the-last-ball-of-the-day Ashes century.Folklore is ever-lasting but records are made to be broken, so why hadn't this one already been shattered? Until yesterday, the benchmark for the highest eighth-wicket stand between Australia and Pakistan at the SCG had survived since 1977.The holders were Rod Marsh and Kerry O'Keeffe. Their record-breaking union in 1977 amounted to . . . 16 runs. A feat of such minuscule proportions was yet to be matched?Australia's capitulation left Mitchell Johnson and Nathan Hauritz as the eighth-wicket pair. Only 17 runs needed to overcome one of the least awe-inspiring records in world cricket. Oh, the tension.It would have been unbearable if anyone knew. Or particularly cared. Hauritz charged Mohammad Asif and clubbed him for four over long-on and Marsh and O'Keeffe had bitten the dust.O'Keeffe still came up with the quote of the day on ABC Radio. Replays were being shown of an early leg-before shout against Michael Clarke. The ball struck him well above the knee roll of his left pad. O'Keeffe's verdict: "Higher than Bob Marley."IF THE CAP FITS ...Ponting is unbeaten as Test captain at the SCG €” for now. His pride has been dented by yesterday's golden duck, his decision to bat blowing up in his face, his sore elbow €” and now his baggy green cap €” needs mending.Ponting wanted it fixed before the SCG Test but the hat-maker was on holidays.Waugh's famed and tattered baggy green also needed mending in the twilight of a career that has earned him induction into the ICC's Hall of Fame. The ceremony will be held during the tea break today. The late Victor Trumper, Bill O'Reilly, Keith Miller and Ray Lindwall will also be honoured.
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