Played in the Indian subcontinent this WC saw the rise of cricketing minnows Sri Lanka as the world Champions.100 runs within fist 15 overs was the USP of Sri Lanka's success.
Prabhakar vs JayaSurya:
Prabhakar was a side on ,in swing bowler with pretty accurate line-length and a good clean action. JayaSurya took him to cleaners during league games and he continued to torment India for at least next 2 years. Kumble and Prasad bore his brunt in the years that followed 1996.
Jadeja vs Waqar Younis:
Quarter Finals vs Pakistan was a great game for India.
Javed Miandad also played in this match. Akram was out due to injury. So Waqar was kind of spearhead for the Pakistani attack.Pakistan were the defending champions then.
He was the quickest bowler at that time. Watch Waqar's decimation at the hands of Jadeja and Kumble. His pace being his nemesis as it made easier for the batsmen to hit him on a dead Bangalore wicket.
Prasad Vs Amir Sohail:
The Pakistani chase was brilliant, Anwar and Sohail were a deadly opening pair. Sohail hit Prasad though covers for a 4 and gestured to fetch the ball from boundary. Prasad rattled his stumps the very next delivery.
Capitulation of India(India vs Sri Lanka Semis):
Story of 90's. Fall of Sachin's wicket almost invariably led to a collapse.
This match is just one of the famous examples of the above mentioned syndrome. Blistering 65 by Sachin helped India to reach 98,but after his dismissal there was a dramatic collapse.India lost 8 wickets within 120.
A weeping Kambli walking towards pavilion garnered much sympathy from press and public. But the spectators of Eden were unforgiving.It was provocation on their part which led to match being called off.
Walsh vs Fleming(WI vs AUS Semis):
WI was still a Cricket Powerhouse. Pace battery of WI was intact.This semifinal went to the wires.Lara played a brilliant Knock. After his fall WI suffered, but kept playing in true Caribbean style.
Richie Richardson the skipper played a terrific innings towards the end and in the final over it was left to Walsh to switch strike with Richardson, but not for nothing Walsh had 32 ducks ducks against his name. Watch out for some great Caribbean bowlers like Ambrose and typical WI pulls/hooks .
1999:
India was never a favorite in this world cup and in fact they performed very poorly.Only memorable things were victory against Pakistan and 183 by Ganguly against Sri Lanka.
Olanga vs India:
This capitulation I find interesting. Olanga was taken to cleaners by Sachin some time ago. But Zimbabwe were a good team and often matches between India and Zimbabwe were close .I think almost every time.Flower brothers,Heath streak were some quality players and the Indian side of 90's was one of the weakest.
This capitulation I find interesting. Olanga was taken to cleaners by Sachin some time ago. But Zimbabwe were a good team and often matches between India and Zimbabwe were close .I think almost every time.Flower brothers,Heath streak were some quality players and the Indian side of 90's was one of the weakest.
Ganguly vs Srilanka(Murli):
More than anything I remember this WC as an Indian fan for Ganguly stepping out to Murli and hitting him for a six at least 4-5 times in his great knock of 183. A memorable knock.
More than anything I remember this WC as an Indian fan for Ganguly stepping out to Murli and hitting him for a six at least 4-5 times in his great knock of 183. A memorable knock.
Wasim vs Australia(league match):
Although the final between Australia and Pakistan was a one-sided affair, this match was pretty close. Australia were just about to rise as a Great Team.
Australia went on to win 3 consecutive WC after this 99. 03 & 07.
In this close encounter they almost reached the target , just 10 runs behind,when Wasim produced some magnificent bowling.
Although the final between Australia and Pakistan was a one-sided affair, this match was pretty close. Australia were just about to rise as a Great Team.
Australia went on to win 3 consecutive WC after this 99. 03 & 07.
In this close encounter they almost reached the target , just 10 runs behind,when Wasim produced some magnificent bowling.
Steve Waugh vs Gibbs:
After having a bad start Steve Waugh famously said that we only have to win 3 matches to win WC. Great way to look at things. This has always inspired me.At most stages in life we only have to clear one exam , get one job , get one girl etc. It simplifies everything.
Other quality which I admire is his small eyes.Nicknamed ICEMAN for his small,cold eyes he had the benefit, that others could not read his face. With all his anxiety within himself the opponent could never see him in real pressure. He was 100% grit.Not a pretty batsman(his stokes were not very graceful) like his Brother Mark, but very effective.He had proved himself in WI tour of 1995, when he stood up against Ambrose and Co Saibana Park.Chasing 271 as target Australia were reduced to 48-3 when he came on to bat.He countered the SA attack effectively and of score of 56 he flicked a Lance Klusener delivery to midwicket. Gibbs took it, but in his anxiety to celebrate with a skyward hurl, he dropped the ball. Waugh's reaction has gone down in the game's annals."You have dropped the World Cup mate". Waugh went to score 120 of 110 balls and secured an easy win for Australia.
After having a bad start Steve Waugh famously said that we only have to win 3 matches to win WC. Great way to look at things. This has always inspired me.At most stages in life we only have to clear one exam , get one job , get one girl etc. It simplifies everything.
Other quality which I admire is his small eyes.Nicknamed ICEMAN for his small,cold eyes he had the benefit, that others could not read his face. With all his anxiety within himself the opponent could never see him in real pressure. He was 100% grit.Not a pretty batsman(his stokes were not very graceful) like his Brother Mark, but very effective.He had proved himself in WI tour of 1995, when he stood up against Ambrose and Co Saibana Park.Chasing 271 as target Australia were reduced to 48-3 when he came on to bat.He countered the SA attack effectively and of score of 56 he flicked a Lance Klusener delivery to midwicket. Gibbs took it, but in his anxiety to celebrate with a skyward hurl, he dropped the ball. Waugh's reaction has gone down in the game's annals."You have dropped the World Cup mate". Waugh went to score 120 of 110 balls and secured an easy win for Australia.
Donald and Klusener:
Klusener was in the form of his life. Remaining unbeaten in last 4-5 innings he had scored close to 50 in each of them at crucial time. SA were in good form (as they always are in any WC) and even Moin Khan had declared that we will play SA in finals. But Australia had other plans. Australia fought hard to defend paltry 213 it put on board. Klusener came to crease at 174-5 in 45th over. He quickly took SA to 205/9 by 49th over. In last over he hit 2 consecutive fours of Fleming to level the score. The next ball he tried to take a single and Donald, the non striker got confused and there was a run-out. SA lost the match dramatically.
Klusener was in the form of his life. Remaining unbeaten in last 4-5 innings he had scored close to 50 in each of them at crucial time. SA were in good form (as they always are in any WC) and even Moin Khan had declared that we will play SA in finals. But Australia had other plans. Australia fought hard to defend paltry 213 it put on board. Klusener came to crease at 174-5 in 45th over. He quickly took SA to 205/9 by 49th over. In last over he hit 2 consecutive fours of Fleming to level the score. The next ball he tried to take a single and Donald, the non striker got confused and there was a run-out. SA lost the match dramatically.
2003:
India had a fabulous journey in this WC until they found Ponting in the finals.A memorable WC for Indian fans.
Sachin vs Pak:
98 of 75 balls which took the wind off the Pakistani sails.A memorable innings for decades to come. icing on the cake was the six of a square cut of Akhatar's delivery.
The quicker he bowled the quicker it went to the boundary lines. Abdul Razzaq dropping Sachin's catch and Wasim telling him "Ye tune kiska catch chor diya" ,is now a part of the cricketing folklore.
98 of 75 balls which took the wind off the Pakistani sails.A memorable innings for decades to come. icing on the cake was the six of a square cut of Akhatar's delivery.
The quicker he bowled the quicker it went to the boundary lines. Abdul Razzaq dropping Sachin's catch and Wasim telling him "Ye tune kiska catch chor diya" ,is now a part of the cricketing folklore.
Sachin against Caddick:
I just love this shot and may be I will remember this till the end of my times. Sachin scored a 50 in that match,
Nehra vs England:
One of those days when Nehra bowled really well .Took 7 against England to secure an Indian victory.
One of those days when Nehra bowled really well .Took 7 against England to secure an Indian victory.
Zaheer's 1st over in Finals:
"Well begun is half done" goes an old adage. But the reverse also cuts true.And this over from Zaheer Khan is a testimony to that.Set a perfect background for the belting that India was to receive from Ponting later on that day.
"Well begun is half done" goes an old adage. But the reverse also cuts true.And this over from Zaheer Khan is a testimony to that.Set a perfect background for the belting that India was to receive from Ponting later on that day.
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