I can’t go past Steve Waugh’s last-ball-of-the-day century against England in Sydney years ago, and not just for the fact that I was there watching it all unfold.
The pressure - both in the newspapers and from selectors - was immense, and it was the ultimate response. As far as hundreds go, it wasn’t the prettiest. If I recall correctly, he was still pretty scratchy well into the 60’s, but the back-foot square drive to the Ladies Stand fence to bring up the ton was one the best shots I’ve ever seen.
An amazing shot to bring up an amazing hundred on an amazing day…
One of the most memorable Australian sporting moments has to be when Cathy Freeman won Olympic Gold in the Women’s 400m race at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.
Earlier, she was the first athlete in Olympic history to light the Olympic Cauldron as a current competitor. This amplified the pressure of a gold medal outcome on the track.
She went into the race as favorite and had the expectations of a nation on her shoulders. Anything can happen in an Olympic final and the whole of Australia had their hearts in their mouths as the starters gun sounded.
49.11 seconds later, relief as Cathy finished in first place at her “home” Olympics.
I was lucky enough to go to the men’s 100m final but regret not seeing Cathy represent Australia so proudly.
In 2006 the Socceroos qualified for their first World Cup in 32 years. A goal by Marco Bresciano in the first half had Australia leading 1-0 at the end of regular time, which meant they were tied with Uruguay on aggregate scores (Uruguay had beaten Australia 1-0 in their previous match). That led to extra time, and when the score was still 1-0, it had to be decided by a penalty shoot-out.
Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer saved the first Uruguayan penalty attempt and Australia made their first three shots count. However Mark Viduka shot wide and the game was again open. Australia's chance was again alive as Schwarzer saved the next shot.
The subsequent shot sealed the win for the Socceroos. I remember watching this game whilst living at LRT’s house at the time and we both ran around the house like lunatics when the game was sealed and the Socceroos were heading to only their second World Cup.
