1999 ICC Cricket World Cup

WC Remembrances - 1999 ICC Cricket World Cup

In 7th version of the ICC cricket world cup, Australia emerged victorious, comprehensively beating Pakistan in the finals by a whooping 8 wickets. Pakistan, which throughout the world cup looked in great touch, lost it when they needed the most. While the Australians who just cleared every stage to enter next stage, produced a major setback in the finals when they bowled out the Paks for just 132 and chased it in just 20.1 overs loosing just 2 wickets.

Desperately needing a win to enter the super sixes, Australia won their last group stage game against the West Indies after they had score of just 12 runs in 10 overs, chasing 110. Similarly needing a win to enter the semi-finals, they won the last super six encounter against South Africa. In the semifinals the situation was die-hard when the match was tied because Lance Klusner, the last man left, was run-out with 1 run needing from 3 balls with only 1 wicket remaining, but given the advantage of winning their super sixes match against them. But whatever it is, the Aussies bid farewell to their captain in an ideal way.

The format this time was a bit confusing. The 12 entrants were split into two groups, and the top three in each group went into the Super Six, carrying with them the points they had earned against the two teams who had also qualified from their group. They then played the qualifying teams from the other group, creating a final all-played-all league table, with the top four going into the semi-finals. Confused? Most people were.

Also there were some matches/statistics, which can't be forgotten. The first one is the team in form, Pakistan, loosing to minnows Bangladesh in the group stage. Also at the end of the group stage they had won all except match against Bangladesh. Quite debatable! Also once again the Proteas lost a berth in the finals when they deserved it, because of their semi-final match tied with a Australia. And another, Zimbabwe firstly got a place in the super sixes leaving behind the Lankans and the British and after that was placed at the top among the teams which qualified for the super sixes before its start.

The players who bid farewell to world cup cricket include many high profile names. It includes the duo of Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose (who topped the list of most economical bowlers), Arjun Ranatunga and Arvinda de Silva (last world cup heroes) and not to mention the Waugh brothers. But there were three people besides them, Shane Warne (after failing drugs test during 2003 world cup), Mohammad Azharuddin and Hansie Cronje (due the match fixing scandal).

As for India, they were somewhat unfortunate. They entered the super six matches with empty pockets as both the countries against whom they had lost the group matches also qualified for the super sixes. In the super sixes they were ruled out even after securing a comprehensive victory over the then world cup favorites, Pakistan. But the present India captain, Rahul Dravid got his name enshrined in the world cup history when he topped the most runs table with 461 runs.