Straight Drive: Octopus

Apoorva Bhatt

It is dated March, 1977. A Test was held in Melbourne on the occasion of the Test match centenary (1877) between England and Australia. England were bowled out for just 95 runs against Australia's 138 runs in the first innings. In the second innings, Australia scored a whopping 419 runs and challenged England to 462 runs to win. England's first wicket (Bob Woolmer) fell very cheaply and Derek Randall came in at a slow pace at the crease. (Derek Randall walked with a slight stoop as if he had a hump on his back.) Seeing this, wicket-keeper Rodney Marsh said: 'Look, look, here comes the octopus.' All the Australian cricketers started laughing. Meanwhile, non-striker Mike Brearley came up to Randall and said, 'Do you know what these people are telling you?' Randall said, 'Octopus.' Now Brearley whispered in his ear: 'An octopus never lets go of what it catches. You too can hold the ground well and give a reply.' (Mike Brearley was a professor of psychology, and he encouraged Randall just fine.) Then Randall called a rumble of shots all around. Australian bowlers like Lilly, Gilmour and Walker broke a sweat. Completed the century in a flash. The match reached a very exciting stage. Finally Randall was dismissed for 174 runs. England were all out for 417 runs and Australia won the match by 45 runs. (What a coincidence that Australia beat England by just 45 runs in the first Test 100 years ago too!) The 'Man of the Match' title was awarded to Derek Randall by great batsman Don Bradman who was specially present to watch the match. Bradman ranks Randall's batting as the best innings he has seen. Pointing the trophy towards Marsh while accepting 'man of the match', Randall said: 'Yes. I'm an octopus.'Both the team players laughed. }