ICC Cricket World Cup 1999

Tournament Overview

Series Overview

The 1999 ICC Cricket World Cup in England produced one of the tournament's most famous moments and one of its most one-sided finals. Australia — managed by Steve Waugh in perhaps the greatest period of Australian cricketing dominance — were imperious throughout. Their semi-final against South Africa at Edgbaston produced the single most dramatic moment in World Cup history: with South Africa needing one run to tie off the final ball, Lance Klusener hit the ball into the off side and set off for the run. Allan Donald, caught in confusion, hesitated fatally. Klusener was run out. South Africa had tied, but Australia advanced on a Superior Super Six run-rate. It was a cricketing moment that has never dimmed. The final against Pakistan was almost anticlimactic by comparison. Pakistan were bowled out for 132 — a total that looked more like a club game than a World Cup final. Australia chased it with 8 wickets and 179 balls to spare. Despite Pakistan's failure, Wasim Akram's side had reached the final by beating India in a genuinely political atmosphere in Manchester — their match had crackled with subcontinental tension. Lance Klusener's Player of the Tournament award was richly deserved: 281 runs and 17 wickets from a player who could bat and bowl at genuine international pace made him the most complete cricketer of the tournament.

Key Highlights

• 1Pakistan bowled out for 132 — Australia chased down the target with 8 wickets and 179 balls to spare
• 2The semi-final between South Africa and Australia ended in a tie — Australia progressed on superior Super Six run-rate
• 3Lance Klusener was Player of the Tournament with 281 runs and 17 wickets — 'Zulu' was virtually unplayable all tournament
• 4The famous last-ball run-out: Klusener ran, Donald hesitated — South Africa's World Cup dream ended in agony
• 5Australia's dominance was total — they won every match except a rain-affected Super Six game

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