When The World Cup Was ‘Dropped’

The title may sound weird but it is quite, literally fitting, according to those who have seen the  ‘99 World Cup and that very moment, the one which gave birth to this title.

It was the last game of the Super Sixes of the World Cup, a game that Australia had to win at any cost to make it to the final 4, and luckily, it did.

Batting first, South Africa had put up a competitive 271 for the loss of 7 wickets. Australia, having to chase 272, didn’t have the greatest of starts, losing Mark Waugh, Adam Gilchrist and Damien Martin pretty early. Ponting and Steve Waugh steadied the innings and took Australia to 152 for 3 in the 31st over.

Steve Waugh flicked a Lance Klusner delivery at mid wicket where Gibbs was perfectly placed to take the catch, but in trying to throw the ball up in the air for celebrating the wicket, he just completely ruined the moment. What followed was all about the Waugh effect which led the Australians to a memorable victory. South Africans, on the contrary, rued the missed catch that had resulted in Australia making it to the finals when the semi-final was tied. Australia defeated Pakistan easily in the final to lift the World Cup for the second time.

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZK2qS550JXo

“He’s dropped it. He’s dropped it. I don’t believe it. That’s unbelievable. He was throwing it up. He thought he had it. It was a little lollypop. And the man who did so well with the bat has taken his eye off the ball and the ball has just dribbled out of his fingers. Well, this could change the course of this match,surely.” Tony Greig, commentating on the match.

“People still ask me about that drop to Steve Waugh in the ‘99 World Cup. The truth is, it doesn’t haunt me as I’ve been chirped about it for a long time. I still remember the Super Six match very well because I got a really good hundred. But losing that game set up the most exciting game of all, one of the most exciting games in any World Cup.” , Herschelle Gibbs at a press conference during the 2007 World Cup.

Editor : Akanksha Agarwal