World Cup – Australia Vs South Africa, 1999

That Match! Enough Said!

Arguably the best ODI ever played. A low scoring thriller which went this way and that. It was mayhem at Birmingham that day.

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White Lightning
Allan Donald a.k.a 'White Lightning' gets Ponting & Lehmann. Kallis gets rid of Gilchrist. South Africa in firm control. Aus - 61/3 in 15
Waugh & Bevan
Waugh & Bevan steady the ship, both scoring fifties. Waugh pulls his team out of trouble yet again in the tournament.
Pollock Strikes
Pollock gets rid of Waugh & Moody in one over. Bevan & Shane Warne make as many runs as they can. Aus - 158/6 in 40
Australia Crawl
Quick wickets toward the end & Australia crawl to 213/10 in 49.2. It is Advantage South Africa.
The Calm
Gibbs & Kirsten start off smoothly. Everything is well with the world. SA cruising - 43/0 in 10.
The Storm
Everything is well with the world until Steve Waugh tosses the ball to his champion bowler. Shane Warne bowls a ripper to pack Gibbs home. Kirsten, Cronje & Cullinan follow. SA - 61/4
No Nails To Chew
Kallis, Jonty & Pollock contribute useful runs but are back in the hut. McGrath gets rid of Boucher. ElWorthy is run-out. The tail is in & only 'Ice Man' Klusener stands between victory & the Aussies. 198/9 in 48.4
Hail Klusener
9 needed of the last over. Klusener smashes the first 2 balls for 4. 'Cometh the hour Cometh the man'! The Scores are tied. If it remains this way Australia will go through to the final. Surely South africa's game now. Waugh brings the field in.
Mayhem
Klusener runs, Donald hesitates, the ball is rolled to Gilly. Run-out! Its over! Australia are through. Madness! Madness! Madness!