Five moments that made Shane Warne special

4. Mesmerizing the Proteas (South Africa vs Australia, World Cup 1999 semi final)

1999 World Cup

In a game that was later described as the greatest ever one-day match of all time, the pudgy spinner broke the back of the South African line-up as he grabbed four key wickets to peg the Proteas back significantly.

First up, Shane sent down a looping delivery to Herschelle Gibbs – it drifted away, landed in the rough outside leg, and nipped back in to take out the top of off-stump. One was instantly reminded of his delivery to dismiss Gatting six years ago – only this time, it was Gibbs who was bemused.

Next, Warne removed Gary Kirsten with a similar delivery identical to Gibbs’ dismissal, and was lucky to pick up Hansie Cronje as his third – the attempted flick did not produce any edges, according to replays.

In his final over, the leg-break bowler dismissed Jacques Kallis to complete a four-wicket haul.

Although Lance Klusener brought South Africa close to a win, a mistake by Donald cost them a place in the finals after the game ended in a tie. Warne was duly awarded Man-of-the-Match for his efforts, and by all accounts, he was the one who had scripted this finish for his side.