Cricket World Cup History: 5 most memorable games

#1 Australia vs South Africa (Semi-final, 1999)

Australia and South Africa played out arguably the greatest ODI ever at Birmingham in 1999

In the late 1990s, Australia was starting to exert its dominance on the world stage. In 1996, they made the final but they narrowly missed out to Sri Lanka. Thus, seething from their inability to add to their tally, the Aussies looked a team possessed in England in 1999.

Though the Steve Waugh-led side had its fair share of shaky moments in the said tournament, they held their nerve at crucial junctures to find themselves in the last four. After all, it was their skipper who had navigated a safe passage to the semi-final courtesy a superb hundred against South Africa earlier in the tournament.

However, the Proteas looked anything but fazed when faced with the prospect of facing the Aussies in the semis.

They got off to the ideal start and reduced the latter to 68 for 4. However, an excellent rear-guard action by Waugh and Michael Bevan catapulted Australia to 213.

The Proteas also endured a sticky start and lost their first four wickets for 61. Yet, their middle order steadied the ship and brought them to the brink of victory.

Like many a time before, Lance Klusener led the South Africans’ charge in the second half of the innings. However, on that fateful night in Edgbaston, it just wasn’t to be for the all-rounder.

With 9 to get off the final over, the left-hander smashed two fours off the first two balls. Yet, what unfolded post the brace of boundaries was the epitome of capitulation.

On the third ball, Allan Donald very nearly ran himself out after a needless bit of running. However, the fast-bowler outdid himself the next delivery when a combination of anxiety, indecision and ball watching contrived to deny South Africa a place in the final.

The match ended in a tie and at the 1999 World Cup, the head to head record between the sides was considered to decide the winner in such an instance. Thus, Australia, having won their previous encounter, proceeded to the final by the tiniest of fine margins.

And unfortunately on that evening in Birmingham, the South Africans added weight to the old adage, ‘Many a slip between the cup and the lip’.

The game competes in a short list to be crowned the best cricket match ever. Hence, it simply is the most memorable game ever played in the World Cup.