The World Cup that made South Africa the 'chokers'

All through the years since it first started, cricket has never deprived its spectators of the thrill it brings to the fore. Be it the 1983 World Cup final between India and West Indies, or the 1986 Sharjah game between India and Pakistan in which Javed Miandad hit a six off the last ball of the match to win Pakistan a lost game. There are numerous examples how the game has managed to entertain its viewers with edge-of-the-seat turnarounds and unfathomable climaxes. But one match which qualifies to be the greatest one day match ever was the 1999 World Cup semifinal between Australia and South Africa at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Australia had earlier defeated South Africa in a Super Six game, thanks to Steve Waugh’s 117 not out and a dropped catch by Herschelle Gibbs, which created ripples in the cricketing circuit then. Australia finished ahead of the Proteas with a mere lead of 0.184 in Net Run Rate, which went on to become a crucial factor for Australia.

Winning the toss, South-Africa decided to field first and inserted Australia. Shaun Pollock, who had a quiet WC till now by his standards, hit the right mark and dismissed Mark Waugh for a duck. Australia had more trouble in store as soon they found themselves four down with only 68 runs on board after overs. Donald got Ponting and Lehmann in a single over and the Aussies had lost Gilchrist, Mark Waugh, Ponting and Lehmann. Steve Waugh led the way once again for his team with a measured 76-ball 56. Michael Bevan also played an uncharacteristic knock of 65 runs off 101 balls and took the score to 213.

Chasing a seemingly easy total, South Africa got off to a good start, the duo of Gibbs and Kirsten had put together 48 runs in 12 overs and were looking solid. But Shane Warne had some other plans that day in no time sent Gibbs, Kirsten and Cronje, who failed to read his googly, back to the pavilion. South Africa soon found themselves reeling at 61/4 in 21.2 overs until Jacques Kallis and Jonty Rhodes revived them. Kallis responded with a 92-ball 53 and forged a 83 run partnership with Rhodes. South Africa were very much in the hunt to win this game even as they needed 79 runs off the last 9.3 overs by the time Rhodes fell. Shaun Pollock was promoted up the order and got out for a 14-ball 20. 

It was a prelude to the storm that was about to come. Lance Klusener and Allan Donald were the last pair and had a gigantic task to see off the game with 9 required off 6 balls. Damien Fleming failed to hit the right length and Klusener pounced on it with two consecutive boundaries off his first two balls. The next ball though he played out a dot. 1 required off 3 now.  Klusener pushed the fourth ball and instantly set off for a single which was actually nonexistent. Allan Donald was run out at the other end by a long distance and South Africa’s World Cup dream died a frantic death. 

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Abhishek