The first time
Australia will certainly remember their epic Test match against India atthe Eden Gardens in 2001, but the final of the TVS Cup will be theirfirst time against India in an ODI here
Facts and Figures by Wisden Cricinfo staff
17-Nov-2003
Australia will certainly remember their epic Test match against India at
the Eden Gardens in 2001, but the final of the TVS Cup will be their
first time against India in an ODI here. And they should know
that India have won eight out of the 11 times they played here.
Australia's only ODI at the Eden Gardens before was the eventful
final of the 1987 Reliance World Cup where they edged out England
by 7 runs.
Like most venues in India, the Eden Gardens has seen its share of high
scores. On five occasions, the side batting first has posted 270 or
more. Not surprisingly, only once in these occasions, the team
chasing won. That happened when
West Indies scored 273 and still lost to Pakistan in the MRF Nehru
Cup in 1989.
In 17 ODIs that have taken place at the Eden Gardens, only four
centuries have been scored. Kris Srikkanth opened the account in
1986-87 and was followed by Desmond Haynes and Marcus Trescothick. Of
the current Indian team, only Sachin
Tendulkar has reached three figures here.
Bowlers of all kinds should know that they have their work cut out for
them. Only once has a team been bowled out for less than 150 in
an ODI here. That was when Anil Kumble sliced through the West Indies in
the final of the Hero Cup in 1993. West Indies made just 123 in pursuit
of 226 for victory.
Having said that, seven
bowlers have taken four wickets or more in one-dayers at Eden Gardens
with Allan Donald and Saqlain Mushtaq being the only non-Indians
to do so.