One of the greatest games of cricket ever played

It has been a very long time since I have felt so much excitement as a spectator of a game of one-day cricket, a game that offered everything today. If the Manchester United victory in the European Cup final was inspiring, then tonight's final overs were equally as spectacular.

Inspirational captain Steve Waugh said after the match that this was the best game of cricket that he has ever played in. Considering the number of games he has played during his illustrious career this may seem a bold statement but then again it would be very difficult to imagine a more entertaining game. The tension in lounge rooms and pubs around the world was almost unbearable - it is hardly imaginable what it would have been like out on the field and in the Warwickshire changing rooms.

My final comment last night was that I thought that McGrath and Warne may play a vital part in the result of today's game. While McGrath was outstanding in the final overs, Warne was inspiringly brilliant. Having made a name for himself in 1993, for what has been recorded as the ball of the century to Mike Gatting, 'Warney' produced a leg spinner to Herschelle Gibbs that was nearly as sensational.

Pitching outside leg stump and hitting the top of the off, Warney changed the momentum of the game with an 'absolute beauty'. From Gibbs he moved to Kirsten, Cronje and Kallis in what was possibly the most crucial bowling spell of the competition. You can never write off a champion and Shane Warne's man of the match award is a testament to the skill and character of one of the game's greatest-ever players.

As crucial to the result of the match were the innings of Steve Waugh and Michael Bevan. The captain thrives under pressure, showing again today why he is the number one batsman in the world. With Bevan coming in down the order the Aussies are always going to be a force to be reckoned with because he is the master at finishing off a one-day innings. In both departments South Africa looked to be on top early but the Aussies were able to claw their way back into the game thanks to these four great players.

Apart from the obvious run out of Allan Donald, two other run outs were critical factors in the result. Firstly Gary Kirsten missed running out Steve Waugh, on two, by the proverbial bee's whisker. Had Captain Courageous left the scene at this stage of the game, Australia's hopes could have been ruined there and then. It would have been almost impossible for any of the other Aussie batsman to have as great an influence as Steve Waugh would.

The second run-out was that of Darryl Cullinan who seemed to be asleep when you would have thought he would be as awake as a caffeine addict. By throwing down the stumps, Michael Bevan removed one of the most destructive players in the game leaving a massive dent in the South Africans run chase. Cullinan will wake up tomorrow, like the rest of his teammates, thinking what could have been.

Watching the highlights tonight it is hard to put into words the emotion, pressure, strain and pure entertainment of today's semi-final. My neck and shoulders are tingling as I witness one of the greatest games of cricket ever played. South Africa are desperately unlucky not to be playing the final on Sunday but in the end of the day Australia truly deserve a shot at the title at Lords.

Until then.

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