The Jones-Ambrose Battle!

Picture Source: Fox Sports

On 16th January in 1993, Sydney Cricket Ground witnessed an unusual incident involving two remarkable ambassadors of the game - Dean Jones and Curtly Ambrose. Australia was taking on the West Indies for the first final of the Benson and Hedges World Series Cup in 1992-1993. Chasing 240, Australia lost David Boon at a score of 41 when Dean Jones walked into bat.

After taking guard, Jones walked up to the umpire Terry Prue and had an unusual request for Ambrose. Prue asked Ambrose to take off his white wrist band from right hand. Ambrose was bowling with the white ball and Jones complained of difficulty to sight the release of the ball. Mind you, the 57-year old Antiguan had the reputation of being a terrifying proposition and making such a request created a stir in the entire stadium, including the West Indies team.

Ambrose simply wouldn't budge. He was adamant. After the umpires failed to convince him, the West Indies captain Richardson had to intervene and convince the big man to get rid of his wrist band. What ensued was total carnage from the six feet eight inch West Indian. He was quicker and nastier after the confrontation. "The next three deliveries were probably the quickest I ever faced!" said Jones.

While Jones was trying to get under Ambrose's skin, he ended up firing him. Ambrose tore Australia with figures of 5 for 32, with Australia losing the match and ultimately the series. Jones later admitted it was an error in judgment on his part and he would never try to pull off such an act again.

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