Sports

ICC World Cup 1999 : Lance Klusenar Emerged As Tragic Hero

Just as FIFA, world’s governing body of  football, organises the FIFA World Cup the ICC, cricket’s world governing body, has started to organise ICC World Cup from it’s seventh edition onwards. Twelve nations took part in this world cup with South Africa, hosts England, India, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Kenya were placed in Group A and Group B consisted of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Australia, New Zealand, West Indies and Scotland. Bangladesh and Scotland were the debutants.

The top three from each group are to advance to the Super six. Each team carried forward points earned against the other qualifying teams in the group stage and played the qualified team from the opposing group. With the top 4 teams in the super six stage advancing to the Semi Finals in the following order : 1 vs 4 and 2 vs 3. With the winners advancing to the finals.

Also Read :  Wills World Cup 1996 : Poetic Justice For Sri Lanka

The shocking results in the group stage were Zimbabwe getting the better of India and South Africa with Neil Johnson playing a dream cricket in Group A while Bangladesh trouncing Pakistan in Group B. South Africa (carrying 2 points as they beat fellow qualifiers India), Zimbabwe (carrying 4 points as they beat fellow qualifiers South Africa and India) and India (didn’t carry any points forward as they lost to both South Africa and Zimbabwe) qualified in the super sixes from Group A while Pakistan ( carrying 4 points as they beat both the qualifiers Australia and New Zealand), New Zealand (carrying 2 points by beating Australia) and Australia (didn’t carry any points as they lost to both Pakistan and New Zealand) qualified in the super sixes from Group B.

In the Super Sixes Pakistan’s Saqlain Mushtaq took the second hat-trick of the world cup history against Zimbabwe. Pakistan, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand qualified for the semifinals. Zimbabwe were equal in terms of points with New Zealand but they made the exit due to inferior Net Run Rate.

So the Semi-Final line ups looked like this : Pakistan vs New Zealand and Australia vs South Africa. Pakistan had an easy 9 wicket win against the Kiwis whereas there was a high drama in the second semi-finals. After dismissing the Australians for 213 South Africa were on course to victory before Late Shane Warne struck 4 crucial blows. Lance Klusenar, like he did in the other matches in the tournament, single handedly, almost brought South Africa to victory before last man Allan Donald ran himself out displaying a poor cricket sense. The match was tied but since Australia beat South Africa in the Super six clash courtesy a dropped catch by Herschelle Gibbs of Steve Waugh (ironically Steve Waugh termed it a dropped World Cup) Australia advanced to the finals.

Also Read :  Benson & Hedges World Cup 1992 : Imran’s Dream Come True

Pakistan took on Australia in the Grand Finale. Everyone termed Pakistan as the favourites in the finals before late Shane Warne spinning another web. Pakistan were dismissed for 132 – the lowest score so far in a world cup final. Australia had little problems in chasing the required total.

Australia may have won the Cup but the player of the tournament Lance Klusenar will be remembered as the tragic hero of the tournament.

Debajit Kar

Recent Posts

Rouse Avenue Court To Hear Land-For-Jobs Scam Cases On January 16-17

The hearing was postponed as a key officer withheld permission to prosecute an alleged accused.…

25 mins ago

PM Modi Distributes Over 71,000 Appointment Letters; Highlights Youth-Centric Initiatives

On Monday, PM Modi distributed more than 71,000 appointment letters to newly recruited government employees…

45 mins ago

Man Sets Women Ablaze In NewYork Subway, Arrested

Describing the attack, New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch said, "As the train pulled…

46 mins ago

Bharat Express CMD Upendrra Rai To Highlight Media’s Role In Societal Empowerment

The Media Division Brahma Kumaris to commemorate the 9th death anniversary of Rajyogi Brahmakumar Omprakash…

51 mins ago

PM Modi, Leaders Pay Tribute To Chaudhary Charan Singh On Birth Anniversary

On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in honoring former Prime Minister Chaudhary…

1 hour ago

Delhi High Court To Hear BJP MLAs’ Petition On December 24

The Delhi High Court will actively hear a petition filed by Leader of Opposition Vijender…

2 hours ago