5 greatest lower-order comebacks in ODIs

1.The Carribbean Last Stand (vs England, Champions Trophy 2004 Final)

Bradshaw and Browne pulled off the biggest heist in Champions Trophy history

This performance takes top spot for two reasons: first, for having no big-name specialist batsmen at the crease (though it can be argued that Courtney Browne was as a wicket keeper batsman, his batting average of 17.29 was too low for a specialist), and secondly, pressure of an ICC tournament final. A new champion was ensured when the Poms faced off against the Caribbean side in the Kennington Oval.

England was put to bat after losing the toss, and their innings revolved around Marcus Trescothick's hundred. Scoring a classy 104 off 124 balls, he never found an able partner apart from Ashley Giles, who chipped in with a valuable 31.

Wavell Hinds bowled the spell of his life, conceding only 24 off his 10 overs and scalping 3 wickets as the English were bowled out for 217. West Indies was expected to make light work of the meager target, but the pressure of an ICC final can make even mediocre targets look daunting.

That is exactly what unfolded in the second innings, as the English seamers decimated the Carribbean lineup, with no one other than Shivnarine Chanderpaul offering some resistance. When Chanderpaul departed, the score was 147-8 after 34 overs.

The writing was already on the wall for West Indies as Bradshaw joined Browne in the middle. After getting his first boundary from a careless outside edge, Bradshaw started to play more cautiously. Gradually, he grew in confidence and started to go for shots normally played by top order batsmen.

At the other end, Browne was lucky, just managing to get bat to ball. However, the lack of a clear plan was visible in the English fielders as runs leaked in the form of extras. Their complacency turned into a sense of panic as the West Indies nudged past 200.

Needing 9 from 10, Browne edged one to the boundary, and a couple of balls later, a beautiful square drive from Bradshaw sealed the game for the Calypso kings.

Though it was a one-time wonder performance, it will certainly be remembered as the pluckiest performance by a lower-order pair in ODI cricket history.