Lyla Lindsey
The 1999 Cricket World Cup semi-final between Australia and South Africa is considered one of the greatest ODI matches ever played. The match ended in a tie, with both teams scoring 213 runs. However, due to Australia's higher position in the Super Six table, they progressed to the final, where they defeated Pakistan by eight wickets. This victory marked the start of Australia's ODI domination, as they went on to win the next two World Cups in 2003 and 2007.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 17 June 1999 |
| Teams | Australia vs South Africa |
| Venue | Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham, England |
| Toss winner | South Africa |
| Decision to | Field first |
| Australia's score | 213 |
| South Africa's score | 213 (all out) |
| Result | Match tied |
| Winner | Australia* |
| Player of the Match | Shane Warne |
| Australia's key players | Steve Waugh, Michael Bevan, Adam Gilchrist, Mark Waugh, Ricky Ponting |
| South Africa's key players | Shaun Pollock, Allan Donald, Lance Klusener, Herschelle Gibbs |
| Australia's progression | Qualified for the final |
| ** denotes net run rate was used to determine the winner |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Steve Waugh's captaincy
In the semi-final, Waugh's leadership was put to the test. Australia had a challenging start to the tournament, losing to New Zealand and Pakistan in the initial group stage. They needed to win their remaining group matches and all three "Super Six" matches to advance to the semi-finals, which they successfully achieved.
In the semi-final itself, South Africa won the toss and elected to bat. They put up a competitive total, with Herschelle Gibbs scoring 101. Australia's innings began shakily, with wickets falling at regular intervals. However, a pivotal moment occurred when Waugh, the Australian captain, was dropped by Gibbs, who attempted to celebrate prematurely, only to drop the catch. This mistake proved costly for South Africa.
Waugh scored a vital half-century, contributing significantly to Australia's total of 213. His innings stabilised the innings and provided a platform for his team to build on. Waugh's captaincy extended beyond his individual performance, as he made crucial strategic decisions. With South Africa needing one run off the final ball to win, Waugh brought his field up inside the circle to prevent a single, recognising the importance of preventing the opposition from taking a single run.
Waugh's captaincy and performance in the semi-final were pivotal in Australia's victory. His leadership, combined with the team's resilience and skill, secured their place in the final, where they ultimately defeated Pakistan to lift the 1999 Cricket World Cup trophy.
Longreach, Australia: Population Insights
You may want to see also
Explore related products
South Africa's decision to field first
Firstly, South Africa had a strong bowling lineup, led by the talented Shaun Pollock, Allan Donald, and Lance Klusener. By electing to field first, they could utilise their bowling strengths to put pressure on Australia's batting lineup, which included renowned batsmen such as Adam Gilchrist, Mark Waugh, Ricky Ponting, and Steve Waugh.
Secondly, the decision to field first may have been a tactical choice to gain an early advantage. By bowling first, South Africa could aim to restrict Australia's scoring and set a target that their own batsmen could chase. This strategy initially proved effective, as Pollock and Donald tore through Australia's middle and lower order, taking 9 out of 10 wickets between them and leaving Australia with a total of 213 runs.
Additionally, South Africa's decision to field first could have been influenced by the match conditions and their confidence in handling pressure while batting. They may have believed that they could successfully chase down any total set by Australia, especially with their strong batting lineup, which included Herschelle Gibbs, who scored a competitive 101 runs in the Super Six match against Australia.
However, despite South Africa's initial success in the field, the match ended in a tie, with both teams scoring 213 runs. Ultimately, Australia progressed to the final due to their higher position in the Super Six table, having won their head-to-head Super Six match against South Africa.
This semi-final match is remembered as one of the most thrilling and dramatic moments in cricket history, with Australia's victory securing their place in the final, where they defeated Pakistan to win the 1999 Cricket World Cup.
Australia Bans Lead Sinker Use in Fishing
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Lance Klusener's performance
Klusener came in to bat when South Africa were 175/6 in 44.5 overs, with the team needing 214 to win in 50 overs. His big-hitting helped South Africa enter the final over at 205/9, needing nine runs to win with only one wicket remaining. He scored consecutive fours on the first two balls of the over, levelling the scores and leaving South Africa with only one run to win in four balls.
However, on the third ball, Klusener mishit his shot to mid-wicket fielder Mark Waugh. Klusener went for the run, although the chances of a run-out were high and two balls were still remaining. Klusener sprinted down the pitch, but his partner Allan Donald, watching the ball instead of his partner, did not hear the call to run. The ball was thrown to Adam Gilchrist, who took the bails off at the other end, meaning Donald was run out, thus ending the match with the scores level.
Australia progressed to the final due to their superior run rate in the competition, where they beat Pakistan. Klusener later expressed his regret, saying: "It’s not just that game but a lot of other games where we need two off the last ball and I miss a fricking ball that I have practised a thousand times."
Best TV Size for Your Room in Australia
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Michael Bevan's performance
In the semi-final against South Africa, Bevan top-scored for Australia with a solid knock of 65 runs off 90 balls, including 4 fours, helping his team reach a total of 213. This innings is considered one of the best in his career and was pivotal in a match that went down to the wire.
Bevan's performance in the 1999 semi-final was a testament to his calculated and measured batting style. He was known for his ability to patiently assess the situation and use all available overs to set a competitive total, rather than going for risky shots. This approach served him well throughout his ODI career, where he batted in 45 successful run chases for Australia, remaining unbeaten in 25 of those innings.
Bevan's contribution in the 1999 semi-final was not an isolated incident. He was a key member of the Australian squad that won the 1999 Cricket World Cup and had previously helped Australia reach the final in 1996 with an innings of 69 against the West Indies.
Bevan's overall performance in the 1999 World Cup and his consistent ability to rescue Australia in crucial moments solidified his reputation as one of the world's finest ODI batsmen. His induction into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2025 is a testament to his impact on the sport.
Australia: A Tourist's Dream Destination?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Australia's Super Six performance
Australia's performance in the Super Six stage of the 1999 Cricket World Cup was impressive, as they won all their games in this round.
The Super Six stage was a new concept for the 1999 World Cup. The top three teams from each group advanced to the Super Sixes, carrying forward the points from the games against the other qualifiers from their group. They then played each of the qualifiers from the other group.
Australia progressed to the Super Six stage with no points carried forward, as a result of League match losses against New Zealand and Pakistan. Despite this initial setback, Australia went on to win all their Super Six encounters, placing them second in the Super Six points table, above South Africa and below Pakistan.
In their Super Six clash against South Africa, Australia batted first and lost wickets at regular intervals. Captain Steve Waugh was dropped by Herschelle Gibbs, which proved to be a turning point in the match. Waugh scored a half-century, with vital support from Michael Bevan, who stayed until the very last over, scoring a solid 65.
India-Australia Test Series: When's the Next Match?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Australia won the 1999 Cricket World Cup semi-final against South Africa because they finished higher in the Super Six table.
The match ended in a tie, with both teams bowled out on 213. However, Australia progressed to the final because they finished higher in the Super Six table than South Africa.
South Africa won the toss and elected to field. Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald picked up 9 of the 10 wickets between them, but Michael Bevan stayed until the last over, scoring 65. The match ended in dramatic confusion, with both sides stunned by the tie.
Australia went on to win the final at Lord's, beating Pakistan by eight wickets. They also went on to win the 2003 and 2007 World Cups, achieving a run of 34 World Cup matches without losing.
