Michael Bevan is acknowledged as one of the greatest ODI players of all time and he was the best finisher before MS Dhoni took over the mantle.
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In the modern era, the average Indian cricket fan is accustomed to seeing MS Dhoni take sides over the line with his calculated hitting. Taking the game deep, calculating the target and evaluating the risks, Dhoni is the ultimate finisher. However, before Dhoni, there was one batsman who was doing exactly what Dhoni was doing only in a different era. Michael Bevan of Australia gave a different dimension to cricket with his brilliant ability to finish off games with zen-like calmness.
Bevan turns 51 on May 8 but with time, his exploits in the 90s grow prominent in the modern era. Bevan was well-ahead of his time. The art of calculating the target, pacing his innings according to the situation and adding the finishing touches towards the end made him one of the best. It is perhaps no surprise that Dhoni took a leaf out of Bevan’s book when it came to finishing games. While Dhoni had the aggression, Bevan had the precision. Picking the gaps, running hard and knowing the right moment – and place – to hit a boundary were the hallmarks of his success.
Who can forget the first instance of Bevan’s brilliance? In the 1996 Carlton and United series against West Indies in Sydney, Australia were almost down and out in their chase of 173. Bevan was in his zone as he slowly chipped away at the target. He punished any bad balls that the West Indies gave. With four runs needed off the final ball with one wicket remaining, Bevan unleashed his magic. Roger Harper darted a quick ball on the middle and leg stump. Bevan made room and thumped the ball down the ground for a memorable four.
The eruption of joy and celebrations in Sydney that day heralded the arrival of a new star. Over the years, Bevan would continue to pull Australia from the brink. In the 1999 World Cup, his knock and partnership with Steve Waugh was crucial. Bevan hit a century when Australia was eight down against New Zealand in Melbourne in 2002.
In 2003, Australia were eight down in their chase of 205 against England in Port Elizabeth. It was Bevan, in a 73-run partnership with Andy Bichel that got them over the line. In his decade-long career, Bevan averaged over 50 seven times in a year which is testament to his consistency. Such was his consistency that he held the highest ODI batting average at the time of his exit (for those who batted at least 50 times).
Even when he retired, he scored a record 1464 runs in the domestic ODI year. Truly, Bevan is one of the greatest when it comes to ODI cricket. His average of 53, his strike rate of 74 coming at the death are great numbers. The legend of Bevan will forever grow with every passing year.
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