Michael Gwyl Bevan (born 8 May 1970) is a former Australian cricketer . He is a left-handed batsman and a slow left arm wrist-spin bowler. He has been credited for initiating the art of finishing matches. He was an Australian Cricket Academy scholarship holder in 1989.
He played 232 One Day Internationals (ODIs) for Australia, and was a part of the 1999 and 2003 teams that won the Cricket World Cup.
He was named as a batsman in Australia’s “greatest ever ODI team.
Michael Bevan in World cup series
Bevan made his One Day International debut for Australia in the 1994 Austral-Asia Cup at Sharjah and by the 1995–96 season he became a regular in the side. Bevan previously appeared for Australia in the 1996 Cricket World Cup, where Australia lost the final to Sri Lanka, and the victorious 1999 Cricket World Cup side.
Bevan entered the 2003 Cricket World Cup injured. He played his first game in the group stage against India. He didn’t bat until the fifth group game against Namibia and he registered a rusty 17 before being caught and bowled by Louis Burger. In the final group game against England, he came in with Australia struggling at 48–4.
He then was joined by Andy Bichel at 135–8 with 70 runs still required to win. Bevan finished on 74 not out and Bichel 34 not out as Australia won in the final over. An unbeaten group stage was followed by an unbeaten Super Six stage.
He made 56 against New Zealand helping Australia recover from 84–7 again batting with Bichel to help Australia win. His last knock was an unfortunate golden duck in the semi-final against Sri Lanka and he was not required to bat in the final which Australia won.
Bevan’s maiden ODI century
On this day in 1997, former Australia batsman Michael Bevan registered his maiden ODI century to propel Australia to a 5-wicket victory during the sixth ODI of Australia’s tour of South Africa in Centurion.
Bevan, who was playing his 55th ODI, had batted at No. 6 on 28 out of 48 ODI innings. Promoted up the order to bat at No. 5 in a 285-run chase, Bevan top-scored for Australia with a strike rate of 108.42 as the visitors won the match with an over to go.
Bevan began his assault by first pulling South Africa captain Hansie Cronje for a six. In Cronje’s following over, the southpaw played a drive down the ground for his first four of the match.
With Australia’s required run rate going past 6, it was important for Steve Waugh and Bevan to keep finding the boundaries in addition to saving their wicket.
On the third delivery of the 30th over, Bevan ran two runs to complete his 12th ODI half-century. Australia, who had just crossed the halfway mark with respect to the target, needed Bevan till the end who, in return, didn’t let his team down.
A 189-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Waugh (89) and Bevan had made things easier for Australia who were able to seal the chase despite South Africa dismissing both the batsmen.
Bevan, who completed his century in the 42nd over, ended up scoring 103 (95) with the help of eight fours and a six. After Bevan and Waugh’s dismissal, Australia batsman Adam Gilchrist (20) and captain Ian Healy (9) guided Australia to victory.
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Earlier, the hosts scored a competitive 284/7 in 50 overs after Cronje won the toss and chose to bat. A 149-run partnership between Cronje (80) and Daryll Cullinan (89) had played a vital role in their innings. With bowling figures of 10-1-52-2, Australia spinner Shane Warne was the pick of their bowlers.
