Top 10 Iconic Moments In Cricket World Cup History

6. Australia vs. South Africa tied semi-final- 1999 World Cup

If the first encounter between the top two teams in the 90s was nail-biting, South Africa and Australia played another epic match in the 1999 World Cup. This time the occasion was the second semi-final of the tournament and the venue was Birmingham. Hansie Cronje won the toss and chose to chase. 

Australia somehow managed to conjure 213 runs with Steve Waugh (once again) and Michael Bevan scoring fifties. Shaun Pollock had hurt them big with 5/36 including some big wickets of Mark Waugh, and then removed the skipper and Bevan, ending their 90-run partnership. South Africa just needed 214 runs to make it into their first World Cup final.

But then Shane Warne happened to them. He picked 4/29 including wickets of Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Hansie Cronje, and Jacques Kallis. At 61/4, Proteas were in trouble but valuable runs from Jonty Rhodes and Kallis and then Lance Klusener brought them close. South Africa entered the final over at 205/9, needing a further nine runs to win.

Lance Klusener was at the crease with Damien Fleming bowling. The left-hander proceeded to hit the first two balls for fours, levelling the scores. But then he missed one delivery and panic set in. Despite needing 1 run from the next three balls, Klusener took a risky single after hitting the ball to mid-off. But Allan Donald didn’t hear the call and was watching the ball. By the time, Donald ran to the batting end, he was run out and the match ended in a tie.

But Australians celebrated as they knew they had made it into the final. The Herschelle Gibbs’ dropped catch, helped Australia win against South Africa in the Super Six match. This gave Australia a superior net run rate and helped them into the finals.