 "6 balls 6 bouncers to smash the batsman’s head, the most dangerous over in Test history…")
New Delhi- On that evening at Trent Bridge in England in 1998, when the wind was blowing and posters of the hosts’ hopes were swinging on the field, a battle began that was not limited to bowling and batting, it was a battle of will, patience and turned into a mental battle. England captain Michael Atherton bared his body like a lion against South Africa’s explosive fast bowler Allan Donald to lead his side to victory. Donald, whose every ball was like a thunderbolt, repeatedly scaring England’s thoughts of victory.
Then came the moment when the ball touched Atherton’s glove and went into the wicketkeeper’s hand, and all eyes were on the umpire. ‘Out or not out?’ The decision was not only a test of the match but also of the morale of both the players. Was this struggle just to score runs, or was it the start of an epic battle? On this ground, where the traditions and passions of cricket meet, history came to repeat itself that day.
After the wrong decision, the matter got heated
England’s Michael Atherton was facing South Africa’s Allan Donald with full enthusiasm. The match was getting tense. England needed 247 runs to win, and South Africa’s Allan Donald was bowling very fast and aggressively. A crucial moment came when Atherton hit wicketkeeper Mark Butcher with a bouncer on 27, but the umpire did not give him out. Donald got angry and dropped a series of bouncers in a single over. Some balls hit Atherton’s body, while others reached the keeper so fast that the batsman did not see them. This over of Allan Donald is considered to be one of the most dangerous overs in cricket history.
Atherton played the match winning innings
After facing a dangerous over from Allan Donald, Mike Atherton kept his composure and continued his innings, eventually scoring an unbeaten 98 to give England an eight-wicket win. Allan Donald’s ferocious bowling in this match earned him the nickname White Lightning. The match is considered a classic example of skill, tenacity and controversial moments, which represent the best aspects of Test cricket.