ICC Men's Cricket World Cup: Greatest ODI XI (1975-2019)

7. Lance Klusener

Lance Klusener was one of the greatest players of his time. During 1996-2004, he played 171 ODI games for South Africa and won a lot of matches with his all-round talent. In the 1999 World Cup, South Africa played exceptionally but failed to have their hands on the trophy due to a tied match against Australia in the semi-final.

With the blockbuster clash resulting in a stalemate, South Africa’s journey got ended in the tournament as Australia advanced to the final on the basis of their superior net run rate in the Super Six round. The match is often known as Klusener’s plucky batting performance. With the toppling of South Africa’s batting attack, the left-handed batter played some exquisite strokes and gathered 31 runs off 16 balls. His courageous batting took his team close but couldn’t take it across the line.

Notching up 281 runs and 17 wickets in nine matches, he became the recipient of the Player of the Tournament award at the end of the competition. Klusener also ended up as the highest wicket-taker for South Africa in the marquee event.