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| 1999 ICC Cricket World Cup |
Steve Waugh's Australians held their nerve in testing conditions to lift the 1999 World Cup in England, while South Africa continued to wrestle with their fate.
South Africa failed to qualify for the final despite not losing their semi-final againest Australia-they tied tied the game before bowing out on inferior net run-rete to Australia in the super six.
Twelve teams were now divided into two groups, with the top three advanced to the Super Six.
Australia advanced to the super six without a point as they had lost to fellow-qualifiers Pakistan and New Zealand in group games. Just one slip at this stage could have sent them back home.
It nearly came against South Africa at Headingley chasing a siff 272-run target.
Steve Waugh was on 56 when he offered a simple catch to South African century-maker Herschelle Gibbs, who held the ball before dropping it in premature celebrations.
The Australian captain needed just that slice of fortune to steer his team to a crucial win with an unbeaten century.
The final was an anti-climax, with Australia thrashing Pakistan by eight wickets. Leg-spin magican Shane Warme grabbed four wickets.
Lance Klusener, with his amazing big-hitting, emerged as one of the stars along with Pakistani paceman Shoaib Akhtar, who was involved in fascinating duels with batsmen.
India broke the monotony of low-scoring games, with Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid adding a record 318 against Sri Lanka, and Dravid and Saching Tendulkar putting on 237 for the third wicket against Kenya.
The tournament was also not withour surprise results, with Zimbabwe beating South Africa and Bangladesh defeating Pakistan in group matches.
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