World Cup-winning captains: 1975-2015

6 Steve Waugh (1999)

Steve Waugh and vice-captain Shane Warne with the 1999 World Cup trophy

Under new captain Steve Waugh, Australia's 1999 World Cup campaign did not start well. They lost two group games to Pakistan and Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand, but made it to the Super Six stage. However, they had to win all games to get the semi-finals.

After wins against India and Zimbabwe, Australia were starting at an exit when they had been reduced to 48-3 against South Africa, in their chase of 272 runs. That is when Steve Waugh played the innings of the tournament. He scored 120 off 110 (10 fours and 2 sixes) to fashion one of the most remarkable turnarounds in the tournament and take South Africa to the semi-finals.

In a rerun of the Super Six game, the semi-final against South Africa proved to be another humdinger as well. Steve Waugh scored 56 and along with Michael Bevan, took Australia to 213. Australia tied the game and went through to the final against Pakistan since they had beaten South Africa in the Super Six game (thanks to Steve Waugh). In the final, Australia ran riot to win the game by 8 wickets, having shot Pakistan out for 132.