Cricket's greatest comebacks: Australia vs England, 2003 World Cup

Michael Bevan and Andy Bichel of Australia walk back to the pavilion after the match

The celebrations also marked the arrival of Andy Bichel. A top-class bench-warmer, he was already on top of the world after demolishing the opposition with the ball. But now, he was put in a position to add meaning to his earlier efforts with a composed Bevan at his other end. James Anderson was introduced back into the attack after an average first spell and in his first over, a powerful square cut off Bichel’s willow moved the ball swiftly to the fence.

Bevan then started doing the best he knew. He lofted Giles over the mid-wicket, flicked and drove Anderson to fine leg and covers, cut Flintoff through the backward point and in a matter of few overs, the contest seemed wide open. Bichel seemed very much confident of his batting abilities as he easily rotated the strike to the best finisher of the game. Caddick came up for his last spell to have a go at Bichel, but his yorker found its answer at the long-on boundary, with Bichel deciding not to leave any stone unturned on a day that definitely belonged to him.

The equation boiled down to 23 required from four overs, with an over left from each of Flintoff, Caddick and Giles and three remaining from the erroneous Anderson. Anderson bowled the 47th over, conceding six easy runs, while Giles bowled the next over with accuracy, conceding just three runs.

With all eyes on Caddick to deliver the penultimate over, Hussain threw in a surprise by asking Anderson to continue his spell. Bichel knew he had won. Anderson dropped the second ball short only to find the ball sailing over the scoreboard, pointing out to his skipper that his decision was wrong. Bichel took them even closer by driving the bowler for a four off the next delivery.

Flintoff came on to bowl the last over. He needed two wickets while his opposition needed two runs. A lot more drama followed as Flintoff failed to hold on to a toughie offered by Bichel off the second ball and a full toss off the fourth delivery was enough for Bevan to take his side home with a well-constructed 74. Bichel, on the other side, made 34 valuable runs from just 36 deliveries to complete one of the finest all-round performances ever witnessed. Little did the Englishman, or perhaps, even the Australians knew that he could bat. Before they could realise that, the contest was over.