HomeCricketHave We Been Fair To Andy Flower And His...

Have We Been Fair To Andy Flower And His Unsung Legacy?

- Advertisement -

Every sport offers theories, which could be incomplete. But we live by them akin to believing a puritanical ritual, seldom putting forth our questions.

For instance, to say that Michael Schumacher- an unquestionable legend- was or is the greatest in F1 would be turning a blind eye to Senna and Fangio.

- Advertisement -

To state that Ronaldo and Messi- doubtless giants of their time- are the greatest would be ignoring Maradona and Pele’s contribution to Soccer.

Cricket too has offered interesting narratives. Probably some could be debunked.

Cricket Narratives That Could Be Dedunked

Andy Flower

In this regard, if you were to think of the nineties, a period of the sport that produced absolute greats, you could be pushed toward a discussion that beckons greater interest than is afforded.

Were Sachin and Lara, Ponting and Kallis the only great batsmen of the time? Such a theory, definitive that it may sound, seems rather incomplete.

Just as believing that only De Villiers, Dilshan and Pietersen gave modern cricket its 360-range- a fascinating period of stroke play where batsmen played unbelievably unorthodox strokes to expand their canvass- is only the half-hearted truth.

Frankly speaking, reverse sweeps, switch hits towards the mid-wicket, the scoop over the slip cauldron were being struck with great ease, in the very fascinating period where the likes of Sachin and Lara lorded with supremacy.

But not always was the effective architect of some of cricket’s most unorthodox stroke-play given due credit.

Truth is, in Andy Flower, the game not only had a gentle giant but someone who made a case for Zimbabwe, a side that so often contested like neophytes trying to find their feet in international corridors.

The Great Unsung Legacy?

Andy Flower

In Andy Flower, the famous ‘90s- that golden period of nostalgia we visit with sepia-tinted glasses of likeability- had a batsman who was also a bit a warrior.

Someone who could both defy and slay attacks, holding the fort for Zimbabwe, that were back then, often thought of as easy punching bags.

Someone who held his own, furthering the case for a team that neither had the superlative talent of Australia nor the powerful affirmation that South Africa contested with.

In a sport where everyone’s attention was on Sachin’s straight drive and Lara’s cover drive, Andy Flower allied the ability to bat for long hours with a certain elegance to make case for one of cricket’s hugely undersung sides.

His efforts from 63 Tests, 213 ODIs, saw him win matches single-handedly, and when not, then broaden the scope for Zimbabwe to thrive even in situations that seemed difficult for affording them a chance.

In an age where there were powerful and stylish batsmen, Andy Flower highlighted the discussion by offering something of a rare utility.

Here was someone who could bring the grace of Alastair Cook and the soldiering ability (or love for toil) of Shivnarine Chanderpaul together to make Zimbabwe live for another day.

Going Big Against India 

Andy Flower

He did that during his magnificent and match-drawing 232 at Nagpur, a knock wherein he batted for over 500 minutes, emerging as the name on everyone’s lips, that too, in Sachin-territory.

He did that as he nearly dealt India a knockout punch during his most important ODI knock, that very charismatic 145 off 164 at Colombo during the Champion’s Trophy contest of 2002.

Interestingly, where many batsmen struggled to compile runs in or against sub-continental sides, Andy Flower took over the challenge with sedate ease.

How else are you going to put it?

His is a record that boasts of 1138 of his 4,700 Test runs against India, the same team he stamped his authority against, scoring 1,300 of his 6,700 plus ODI runs, including 11 of his 55 fifties (that’s a fifth of his overall career).

But truth be told, the more daunting the circumstances, the more Andy Flower challenged himself.

England burst on at Zimbabwe in the early part of Jan 1996.

What followed in the first Test at Bulawayo was a defiant ton against the likes of Tufnell, Silverwood, Croft, and Mullaly.

A 112 drew the contest for Zimbabwe.

A few months later, along came Pakistan with Wasim Akram and Aaqib Javed.

The Warrior

Andy Flower

And at Harare, Andy Flower responded with perhaps the most important Test stand ever compiled by any Zimbabwean pair, in their history.

A dazzling 269-run stand among the Flower brothers saw the duo keep the Wasim Akram and Pakistan threat at bay, in soldiering on for over 550 minutes.

In the very game that was also about Sachin’s straight drive and Ponting’s pull, Zimbabwe had found in Andy Flower who epitomized fighting abilities.

In a format that demanded longevity, Andy Flower was always tireless, ready to play a very Michael Bevan and Chanderpaul-like savior.

Yet, his ODI records speak of great adaptability. How else would he have averaged the respectable mid-30s against all noted sides?

And yet, here was someone who was anything but robotic or mundane in his approach to batting.

Want someone to know the art of pacing an inning, of opening the floodgates on either side by the simple but priceless act of exploring the gaps?

Head To Andy Flower And Ask Him All You Want

Andy Flower

Just as England did when they approached Zimbabwe’s ever-ready taker of challenges for guidance.

Not all cricketing greats shine on the pitch alone. Some- rare that they are- like Andy Flower, find meaning in feats off the pitch as well.

Some of his greatest hits came in 2009, when under his coaching, England won the 2009 Champions Trophy, 3 Ashes Tests as also the ICC World T20.

Yet in doing it all; managing a tremendous Test average of 70 against a Donald and Pollock-driven South Africa (566 runs- 2 centuries, 2 fifties), scoring no fewer than 931 against Pakistan from 14 Tests and 164 Test runs at a sparkling average of 64 from just 2 games against the West Indies- Andy Flower emerged as an under-appreciated great.

And lest it is forgotten that at all these times, during which he compiled well over 11,500 international runs, Andy Flower kept wickets and kept fighting on, uncomplainingly.

Andy Flower

So if the fan- in whose hands rests the great responsibility of making a sense of the contest and its idols-wishes to ever understand what it means to be an accomplisher yet someone who never did mind the utter lack of highlight, probably pointing in Andy Flower’s direction won’t be off the mark.

Take a bow, champion!

- Advertisement -
Dev Tyagi
Dev Tyagi
Dravid believer, admirer of - the square drive, Drew Barrymore, Germany, Finland, Electric Mobility, simplicity and the power of the written word! Absolutely admire contributing to KyroSports

15 Highly Educated Cricketers Of All Time

Cricket is a game of passion and dedication. A sport in which one involves themselves in camps and practice since early childhood. Due to...

Do we often under-appreciate Andy Flower? What’s his legacy?

There's a hint of sadness in noting that Zimbabwe has never been a dominant power in world cricket. But nothing could be sadder than...

Why are more and more MotoGP riders using the Noson nasal dilator?

Introduction MotoGP riders or athletes are physically fit and healthy individuals and their muscles are continuously functioning and used during the performance. As a fan...

How Come UFC Fighters Have Cauliflower Ears But Boxers Don’t?

The UFC has come a long way since its early days, wherein the fights seemed like modern-day gladiators due to its brutality and inconsistent...

5 spinners who can be India’s potential finger-spinners

The Indian cricket team has always been proud of its ability to produce world-class batsmen and similarly potent spinners. Though in recent times, the...

IPL 2018: The beautiful Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur

Being seated in the Sawai Mansingh stadium brings a different world, a world of difference away from the palpable excitement of watching truly India’s...

The astonishing decline of Mario Balotelli

There was a time when Mario Balotelli was on top of the world.  The Italian talisman had scored two goals in the Euro 2012 semi-finals,...

Top 5 Left Wingers In The World, Based On 2019-20 Season

Owing to the fact that football has evolved a lot since its inception and the tactics have changed a lot, the role of wingers...

What can be expected from the 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix?

Heat in the air and heat inside the car- that's been the story of the Azerbaijan Grand prix. As F1 parks itself at Baku...

How Suresh Raina Batted India Into The Finals of 2011 World Cup

Its been 9 years, since India won the Cricket World Cup defeating Sri Lanka on 2 April, 2011. The images and visuals of...

IPL 2018: The best from the West Indies

When one of nature's treacherous attacks on mankind- earthquakes- strike, their impact is measured on Richter's scale. When West Indians strike in a tournament...

Big change for India Women’s cricket as BCCI looks to finalise bowling coach soon

We are not even at the halfway stage of the 2018 cricketing season. It clearly seems there's no stopping India's women's cricket team. The...

Age Fraud in Indian Cricket: Are players really to be blamed?

There have been times while watching a cricket match when we tend to hear commentators comment on cricketers’ age. We as fans have many...

Ajax XI if they didn’t sell their star players

Based in Amsterdam, AFC Ajax, who incidentally draw their name from the legendary Greek hero of the same name, are the most successful club...

5 famous players to play for both Leeds United and Liverpool

Leeds United are back in the Premier League after 16 years and will play Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday in their very first match...

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -