The Storm Known as Gary Gilmour

Gary Gilmour, a name little unheard in international cricket came into the limelight during the knockout stage of 1975 Prudential World Cup. 23 year young left arm seamer from New South Wales, Gilmour was in the Australian team of 1975 but couldn't get a chance to play​ in the group matches due to the intense competition in bowling department led by great Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson. 

​The Perfect Stage

Australia qualified for the semi-finals and Gilmour was lucky to be selected in playing XI against England at Headingley. ​He was picked in place of off​-​spinner Ashley Mallet after the groundsman had watered the pitch ​to make it more livelier​. This last minute replacement  turned out to be most crucial factor in Australia's victory later on.

​18th June, 1975, Headingley, Leeds, England, 1st Semi-Final - Australia Vs England

Australia won the toss and elected to bowl first to utilize the early morning conditions. To everyone's surprize, Garry Gilmour was given the opportunity to ball with great Dennis Lillee and he took the opportunity with both hands. On a pitch that was behaving normally, Gilmour utilizes the condition to its best and bowled a life time spell of ​6/​14 from 12 overs​. England was dismissed for just 93. Though Gilmour bowled variety of balls but it was his lethal inswinger to which 5 English players fell. It was also the first time that a bowler had taken six-wickets in an ODI. Gilmour's storm didn't end here. While chasing a small target of 94, Australia team were struggling at 39/6 when Gilmour came to bat and again proved his worth with a vital 28* to push his team to the finals of the inaugural world cup. His allround performance is still regarded as one of the best in the history of World Cup

It was Gilmour's day, from nowhere he emerged as a champion..

Sahir