00:00Watch out for a forgotten gem from the mid-90s, Alistair Brown classical innings that lit
00:05up Old Trafford.
00:07In the third ODI of the Texotrophy in 1996 at Manchester, the Surrey Bassman foundly
00:12known as Laudy played the knock of his international career.
00:16Alistair Brown crafted a match-winning 118 runs of 137 balls in 180 minutes, decorated
00:24with 10 crisp fours and two mighty sixes.
00:27With his man-of-the-match performance, England smoothly chased down the India's 236-runs
00:33target, sealing victory by four wickets with seven balls to spare.
00:37This was Alistair Brown at his finest powerful, stylish and unforgettable innings, a vintage
00:43innings worth cherishing.
00:57After 22, England are 92 for two and 13 came from it.
01:08Down the wicket, that's a big one.
01:11Gone.
01:12Six over long run.
01:1750 to Alistair Brown.
01:18That must please at no end, but I'll tell you that shot was the shot of a man who knows
01:22what he's doing.
01:23Well, I feel very pleased for Alistair Brown for that as well and recognised by the England
01:30players.
01:31Graham Thorpe, they're clapping.
01:32Alistair Brown's county colleague.
01:34Well, what a fine way to bring it out with that glorious straight six.
01:42That's not a bad way to celebrate that six either.
01:45You know the bowler's going to pitch it in a bit short.
01:48So lay by, pick up a single and bring up the 100.
01:54142, 137 balls.
01:56I think they've done all the difficult work.
01:58Now they've just got to go there, milk the bowling and win the match.
02:05Second slip.
02:08And it's gone.
02:09Oh, that's well fielded.
02:11Raju.
02:12It looked a certain boundary.
02:16And a piece of fielding like that might just be the fillip that the Indian fielding side
02:22needs.
02:23The move ball from Iktish.
02:25Rathor literally had to move no more than 15 yards for that, and he didn't come within
02:30three.
02:33Back with Anil Kumle.
02:38Still angling that round leg and slightly outside, but Alistair Brown's belted enough.
02:41They're taken two.
02:42That's very good running.
02:43That really should not have been more than one with a swift outfielder.
02:48And this is what I mean about batsmen having an understanding.
02:51These two batted together an awful lot.
02:52There was no calling at all there.
02:54It was just a little nod.
02:55And Brown came back for the second.
02:57Thorpe, see, just here.
02:58They just always look at each other.
03:00And Thorpe may have just said, OK, I'll go for it.
03:03And immediately came back.
03:09Well, straight back over the baller's head.
03:11When you can find that area, it's invariably four runs.
03:14Because you can't really set a fielder there.
03:16Because long run is invariably little wider.
03:19It's very well struck.
03:24Do the same for fielding as that.
03:26There's no chance of Tendulka there to cut that off.
03:29And that takes Brown onto the verge of his 100.
03:3329 not adding, and 177 for three from 37 overs.
03:39And then it's 7.
03:42Beautifully angled into the backward gully area.
03:45Alistair Brown, 100.
03:48What a triumphant moment for him, registered by all the England players.
03:52Lovely to have your county colleague Graham Thorpe in the middle.
03:55And there's some real feeling there, there's some real emotion.
03:58That's been a magnificent response by Alistair Brown to his critics
04:02and to being allowed to open the battle for England.
04:06We've played in innings of great judgment and composure and fine strokes.
04:12Well, England are scoring at 4.75 for over.
04:15The required rate, 4.70.
04:1847 runs to win from 60 balls.
04:2210 overs to go.
04:23That run rate has been steadily coming down as Brown has had few good shots.
04:32Raju, 8 overs, 1 maiden.
04:36None for 33 so far.
04:38It's in the air.
04:40And it's gone for 4.
04:42And it's gone for 4.
04:44Well, Alistair Brown is not afraid to play this shot from the word go.
04:50He loves playing this type of cricket.
04:53And that's a mighty hit.
04:59And that has gone all the way for 6 straight.
05:01A carry of some 20 yards or so over the boundary.
05:0514 runs coming from that Raju over.
05:08England reached the 200.
05:10It's 204 for 4 from 41 overs.
05:13It's in the air.
05:16It's in the air.
05:17And that is the end of Alistair Brown's innings.
05:20Srinath takes the wicket.
05:22217 for 5.
05:25And Amar this innings of 118 comes to an end.
05:29Srinath deserving his second wicket.
05:35Another good ball from Srinath into the right space.
05:40And Ali Brown trying to hook it over square leg.
05:43The ball was on to him quicker than he thought it was.
05:47And got it on the top of the bat.
05:49The England captain applauding his opening partner.
05:56A wonderful innings from Alistair Brown.
06:01It was an innings of substance and style.
06:06Proving that Alistair Brown could be just as destructive as the Dexter.
06:11To whom his nickname was a tribute.
06:13Ironically, just days earlier critics had questioned his temperament.
06:18In his debut he hung around long.
06:20Enough for his flaws to show.
06:22And in the second ODI he failed too quickly.
06:25But here on the big stage Alistair Brown rose to the occasion.
06:29He paced his innings sensibly at first in contrast to the pinch hitting trend of 1996.
06:34Before unleashing strokes of real class that hinted at his untapped potential.
06:39Despite the political clout surrounding the series and the damp Manchester condition.
06:44Alistair Brown innings stood tall.
06:46He was already a county crowd favorite.
06:48Renowned for lofting drives over the offside field and dismantling anything pitch shot.
06:54Sadly, international cricket never saw enough of that firepower.
06:58This Manchester 100 remained the pinnacle of his England career.
07:02Yet Alistair Brown legends lived on in county cricket where his fearless hitting became folklore.
07:08Who can forget his record breaking 268th for Saray against Hill Morgan at the Oval in 2002.
07:15A wonderful record at that time.
07:17It was a reminder of his draw power and flair qualities.
07:21He so beautifully showcased that day in Manchester against India.
07:25If you like this video, please comment, share and subscribe.
07:28Thank you very much.
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