00:00Zimbabwe in the 1990s produced a number of gifted cricketers who carried the nation flags
00:05with pride on the international stage.
00:08Among them was the spirited leg spinner Paul Strang, a bowler of immense skill and determination.
00:14On New Year's Day in 1997, during the second ODI against England at Harare, Paul Strang
00:20produced a spell of true craft and courage.
00:23With the game delicately poised, he delivered a decisive performance, claiming three wickets
00:28for just 24 runs.
00:29His variation and control played a pivotal role in securing a narrow yet memorable seven-run
00:35victory for Zimbabwe.
00:59And Atherton couldn't get round far enough to get it in the gap.
01:02Here's Whittle coming in.
01:04He's coming hard at him.
01:05A couple of juggles, a couple of bounces.
01:07Ah, I've got it.
01:11The England captain is out, gone for 25.
01:16The ball hit him hard.
01:17It was hit out of the middle of the bat and pretty flat.
01:21Whittle had to make ground towards the ball.
01:26And, ah, just a couple of juggles.
01:27And, ah, just a couple of juggles.
01:28But he's very plain in the end.
01:30It's out.
01:31It's very well done by Andy Flower, who, ah, kept his calm.
01:35Might have been a bit of pressure on John Crawley there because of the build-up through the
01:42over.
01:43And England have paid a price for it.
01:45There's top quality bowling from Strang.
01:48I think Irani's presence has, ah, added the urgency to Crawley's innings.
01:53And he's down the track playing across the line.
01:56It's a very efficient piece of wicket-keeping by Andy Flower.
02:00Because there's an edge and a boot and a scuttering ball that he's taken and removed the bails.
02:07Fine innings from John Crawley.
02:0873 has set England on their way.
02:11But there are 157 for five now.
02:14The one on the offside.
02:16That's got him.
02:17That's nicely taken by Andy Flower.
02:20That's a good piece of stunting.
02:22That was pushed through by Paul Strang.
02:25Ronnie Irani was the man looking for the big shot.
02:29Looking for that boundary which England so sorely need at this stage.
02:33But it all went wrong.
02:34Well, we're waiting for Ronnie to play to get the big one.
02:40He went for it.
02:41Beautiful bit of leg spin bowling.
02:43Turned sharply.
02:44Well, it fell and did the rest.
02:47It was a performance that exemplified the resilience of Zimbabwe.
02:52Zimbabwean cricket in that era.
02:53With Strang's wristband pleaving the English batsman searching for the world.
02:54It was a performance that exemplified the resilience of Zimbabwean cricket in that era.
03:07With Strang's wristband pleaving the English batsman searching for answers.
03:22His effort did not go unnoticed as he was deservedly named player of the match sharing the honour
03:28with England's John Crowley who fought valiantly with the bat.
03:32This was a contest that highlighted the grit of a rising cricketing nation.
03:36And Paul Strang's spell remains aged as one of those defining moments when Zimbabwe stood
03:42tall on the international stage.
03:44Paul Strang was more than just a leg spinner.
03:46He was a cricketer who embodied Zimbabwe fighting spirit throughout the 1990s.
03:51Known for his sharp leg spin bowling, clever variation, and unwavering determination.
03:56Paul Strang often shouldered the responsibility of leading Zimbabwe spin attack.
04:00With his ability to deliver under pressure made him a vital asset.
04:05Whether in the longer format or in the heat of limited overs battle.
04:09Although his international career was cut shorter than it deserved to be.
04:13Moment like this match-winning spell against England stand as a reminder of his class and
04:18commitment.
04:19Paul Strang will always be remembered as one of the Zimbabwe final spinners.
04:22A player who gave his all every time he stepped onto the field.
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04:29Thank you very much.
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