World Cup History
Herschelle Gibbs could be counted on to put in an outstanding fielding effort on most days of his career, but June 13, 1999, was not one of them. Gibbs dropped Steve Waugh’s catch in a Super Six match between Australia and South Africa on this day. Later, the catch robbed them of a chance to win the World Cup. To beat Zimbabwe and go to the semifinals of the competition, the Australians required a dramatic victory. While the Proteas had already qualified for the semi-finals.
The Australians had a shaky start as well, falling to 48/3 in the 12th over after a top-order collapse. Captain Steve Waugh joined Ricky Ponting on the crease, and the two began to form a partnership, gradually bringing the run chase back on track.
Australia were 149 for 3 at the end of the 30th over, aiming to win thanks to their captain’s aggressive play.
At Headingly, Leeds, South Africa captain Hansie Cronje won the toss and chose to bat first. The squad scored 271/7 in their allocated 50 overs thanks to Gibbs’ outstanding 101 innings. The score appeared to be reasonable, especially considering the South African speed attack of Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, Steve Elworthy, and Lance Klusener.
With a place in the semi-finals already assured, this game was hardly a do-or-die situation for the Proteas, which may have contributed to complicity as the match began to favor Waugh’s side.
The contest was approaching a turning point that would prove to be one of the most pivotal moments of the 1999 World Cup.
Klusener bowled a length ball on Waugh’s pads in the 31st over of the chase, which he tried flicking over mid-wicket. The ball fell into Gibbs’ hands nearly immediately, and he almost caught it before his premature celebration resulted in a drop that cost the South Africans the game.
“How does it feel, Herschelle, to lose the World Cup?” After the dropped catch, Waugh famously asked Gibbs. Waugh then recanted his allegation.
Waugh not only made it out alive, but he scored a century. With the help of Ponting’s 68, his unbeaten innings of 120 helped the Australian team to triumph.
It was a win that was remembered four days later after the semifinal encounter between these two teams finished in a stalemate. Australia advanced to the finals and went on to win their second of many World Cup triumphs in the years that followed.