9 Times the middle-order won the World Cup semi-finals and finals

#5) Aus vs SA – 1999 World Cup Semi-final

Michael Bevan's contribution was overshadowed by the last-ball mix-up by the South Africans

The 1999 world cup arguably had some of the strongest teams of the past two decades. Some of the players from this tournament went on to become legends of the game while some of the matches have been etched in our memories forever.

Lance Klusener was the big factor for the South Africans despite being a lower middle-order batsman – but somehow the Proteas could not get past the finish line in the World Cup semi-final and continued to live up to their reputation of being chokers.

In contrast, the Australians proved once again just how effective their middle-order could be. When they were struggling at 68-4, Steve Waugh and Michael Bevan came in to make 56 and 65, respectively, to ensure they had something on board for their bowlers to defend.