The Australian side under Steve Waugh was big on belief. After successive defeats against New Zealand and Pakistan in the group stage, Waugh’s men had to win their next six games to regain the World Cup. Many felt this was Mission Impossible.
The incredible Aussies pulled it off even if one of the games — the semifinal against South Africa — hurtled to a riveting tie. What a run!
The World Cup of 1999, hosted by England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and the Netherlands, was Australia’s tournament. From the indomitable Steve Waugh, to the deadly Glenn McGrath and the magical Shane Warne, this was a team of match-winners. It also combined as one powerful unit when it mattered.
The weather was unpredictable but excellence from this bunch of Australians was on predictable lines. The team had a good habit — it won, won, and won.
McGrath set the ball rolling for Australia with his immaculate corridor bowling with bounce and seam movement against the West Indies in a must-win group match at Old Trafford. His five for 14 lit up Australia’s path.
Such was the Aussie confidence that when Steve Waugh was put down by Herschelle Gibbs during his match-winning unbeaten hundred in a must-win Super Six clash against South Africa, he said to the erring fielder that he had just lost the game for his team.
From the heat and dust of the sub-continent where spin ruled, the competition had moved to the place it originated. In rather wet conditions, the Duke ball swung around. And the pacemen were in the hunt.
Yet, at the business end of the tournament, Warne sent the opposition on a tailspin with his wily ways.
Apart from the odd match, this was a competition where the contest between the bat and the ball was balanced. In fact, the bowlers held the edge on several instances. The conditions demanded good, solid cricket rather than pinch-hitting.
The format for this edition was interesting. Twelve teams were divided into two groups of six teams each. And the top three teams from each group travelled to the Super Six stage where they would take on each other.
Significantly, a team that defeated a side that too qualified for the Super Six stage carried forward two points. But then, this rule came in for criticism since it gave room for the teams to manipulate.
A talent-filled Pakistan promised much. With the smooth-stroking Inzamam-ul-Haq among runs, the crafty Wasim Akram picking up wickets and pace-bowling all-rounders Abdur Razzaq and Azhar Mahmood pulling their weight, the side made the final before imploding at the Lord’s.
South Africa, riding on the brilliance of the likes of Jacques Kallis, Lance Klusener, Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald threatened much before choking again. With one run to win, Klusener and last man Donald were involved in a horrendous mix up in the semifinal.
There were moments for India in the competition. The side got the better of Pakistan at Old Trafford, and walloped Sri Lanka at Taunton with Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid notching up strokeful centuries.
Sachin Tendulkar travelled home midway through the competition following his father’s death but slammed a hundred against Kenya in his first match on return. Looking back, a three-run shock defeat in the group stage to Zimbabwe hurt India.
The 1999 edition also marked the beginning of Australia’s dominance in the World Cup. The Aussie stranglehold would only be broken by an inspired India in 2011.
