Let me start with not only the most exciting World Cup match but arguably the most nail-biting one-day international (ODI) ever: the tantalizing tie between Australia and South Africa in Birmingham on 17 June 1999.
The first tie in World Cup history, this match has become legendary along with the tied Tests of 1960 and 1987.
Australia were 4-68 in this fluctuating semi-final but were rescued by skipper Steve Waugh (56) and Michael Bevan (65) who added 90 runs. Proteas fast bowlers Shaun Pollock (5-36) and Allan Donald (4-32) were magnificently incisive and Australia totalled 213 off their 50.
South Africa’s reply was a virtual carbon copy of Australia’s. They were 4-61 when Jacques Kallis and Jonty Rhodes added 84. Shane Warne swung the match Australia’s way with figures of 4-29.
Then came Lance Klusener on the scene, the Man of the World Cup, to give the match another twist. He hammered 31 runs off 14 balls and took South Africa to the brink of their first final. But his brain short-circuited in the last tense over.
He hit two fours off Damien Fleming to level the score. Now only one run was needed off four balls to win with Klusener on strike and experienced no. 11 bat Donald at the other end.
Knowing that a tie would be sufficient to enter the final because of Australia’s better net run-rate, Steve Waugh reshuffled the field. Klusener drove the ball straight and Donald nearly got run out.
In desperation, Klusener drove the next ball and charged. A dazed Donald, looking the other way, dropped the bat in panic and set off as an afterthought. Alas, too late.
Mark Waugh at gully flicked the ball to Fleming who rolled it to Adam Gilchrist who broke the stumps, and South African hearts.
This tie took Australia to the final where they thrashed Pakistan to lift the WC for the second time.
The other two cliff-hangers in this series are recreated below:
Miracle at Mohali (v. West Indies, Mohali, 1996).
Phew, what a result; a certain defeat converted into an incredible win by Mark Taylor’s gallant Aussies!
Taylor decided to bat on a grassy pitch and soon Australia was 4-15, Taylor, the Waugh twins and Ricky Ponting contributing four runs between them. Rescued by a fifth wicket stand of 138 runs between Stuart Law (72) and Michael Bevan (69), Australia totalled 207.
The Windies started promisingly. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (80) had a 72 run partnership with skipper Richie Richardson. After 41 overs they were 2-165, needing only 43 from nine overs with eight wickets intact.
But once Chanderpaul fell, the momentum and six wickets were lost. In a mesmerising spell, Shane Warne took 3-6. Richardson was on strike when Damien Fleming bowled the final pulsating over. Richardson hit the first ball for a four and just six runs in five balls were needed with two wickets remaining.
Richardson went for a suicidal single and Curtly Ambrose was adjudged run out by the video umpire. Last man Courtney Walsh heaved at his first ball and was bowled and Australia won by five runs. The Windies had snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
“It was a game we couldn’t possibly win, yet we did, and is definitely the best victory I’ve been involved in one-day cricket,” Mark Waugh said.
A Miracle Named Bichel (v. England, Port Elizabeth, 2003).
Another miracle win was brought about by Australia’s unsung hero Andy Bichel with help from Michael Bevan.
It seemed all over. In reply to England’s 204, Australia was 8-135 and the Barmy Army was on-song. Then, the miracle.
Tail-ender Bichel joined Bevan, perhaps the most versatile limited-overs cricketer ever. Bichel was already a hero after capturing 7-20 off 10 overs on a slow pitch, and he shone as a batsman as well.
The two Bs (Bevan 74, Bichel 34) added 73 precious runs without getting separated. Needing 14 to win in two overs, Bichel swung for a 6 and then a 4 and Australia won by two wickets with two balls to spare.
To quote Wisden 2004, “As Bichel and Bevan ran off delirious, England stood still. [Skipper Nasser] Hussain was on his knees, his head in his hands….How had this happened?”
Australia went on to win the World Cup beating India in the final, Ponting scoring a magnificent 140 off 121 deliveries.
Which of these thrillers are your favourites? Or can you mention the ones which made you chew on your TV remote?
Come on, get in the mood – the 10th cricket World Cup is around the corner.
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