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Cricket PlayersWorld Cup Flashback: When Klusener, Kallis stole the show in India-South Africa’s opening match in 1999
India will start their World Cup 2019 campaign against South Africa on June 5. Here’s a flashback of what transpired when India locked horns with South Africa in their first World Cup match 20 years ago in 1999.
In between the drama surrounding exit polls and the actual result day of Lok Sabha elections 2019, Team India start their World Cup journey. The event may not have the same impact as election results but a lot of people will have their hopes pinned on the Virat Kohli-led Indian side as they leave for England on May 22. India first face New Zealand on May 25 and Bangladesh on May 28 in two warm-up games before the real deal starts on June 5 when they take on South Africa in their opening match of ICC World Cup 2019.
This is not first time India are starting their World Cup campaign against South Africa. Amazingly, India faced the same opponents in their tournament opener when the ODI World Cup was last held in England 20 years ago in 1999.
Here’s a flashback of what transpired when India and South Africa locked horns in their first World Cup match in 1999.
Important information
Date: May 15, 1999
Venue: County Ground, Brighton
Captains: Mohammad Azharuddin (India). Hansie Cronje (South Africa)
Toss: India, opted to bat first
1st Innings - Wasting a Good Start
India got off to a slow but steady start against a lively South African new-ball attack comprising Pollock, Donald, Kallis and Klusener after electing to bat first. Openers Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly played out the new-ball very well but the run rate of 4 was always on the back of their minds. Tendulkar tried to manufacture a flick shot to a delivery which pitched around middle and ended up getting a top edge to the keeper. Klusener struck for South Africa in the 16th over.
Ganguly, at the other end, was still going strong. Together with No. 3 Rahul Dravid, he kept steering the Indian ship. The due stitched together the highest partnership – 137 - of the match to build a solid platform for India’s middle order. But both Dravid and Ganguly fell in quick succession. Dravid (54) was bowled by a lovely Yorker from Klusener and Ganguly was run out three short of a well-deserved hundred. From 197 for 1 in 41 overs, India were reduced to 203 for 3 in 43.4 overs.
The double blow turned out to be fatal for India as their middle order failed to up the ante in the slog overs, scoring only 63 runs in the last 10. India finished with 253 for 5 in their 50 overs.
Klusener (3/66) and Donald (1/34) were the pick of the bowlers for South Africa.
2nd Innings- The Stuttering Chase and Grand Finish
Just like their batters, the bowlers too gave India a great start. Javagal Srinath sent back South Africa’s openers – Herschelle Gibbs and Gary Kirsten – in his first spell. Gibbs was trapped right in front for 7 and Kirsten played on for 3. At 22 for 2, South Africa were in desperate need for a partnership.
Wicket-keeper Mark Boucher then decided to counter-attack to take the pressure off and it worked. Boucher got some quick runs and Azhar was forced to take Srinath off the attack. Boucher’s cameo (34 off 36), was however, ended by an Anil Kumble wrong’un. India once again had their noses ahead after reducing South Africa to 68 for 3. But the Proteas were always up with the required rate.
Kallis was playing a brilliant innings even as wickets continued to tumble at the other end. Daryl Cullinan(19) was the next to go again after getting a start. Captain Cronje then joined hands with Kallis to steady the South African innings. The duo put together an important 64 run stand in good time before Cronje was dismissed by Agarkar for 27.
Just like Ganguly, Kallis (96) too was run out inches away from his hundred. The equation came down to 27 runs off 24 balls for South Africa with 4 wickets in hand. Back then, scoring at run a ball while chasing was still considered to be an uphill task but Lance Klusener and Jonty Rhodes played some breathtaking shots towards the end. Klusener and Rhodes hit Agarkar for 4 boundaries in the next over to completely turn the momentum towards South Africa. They reached home in 47.3 overs. Rhodes (35 off 29) and Klusener (12 off 4) remained unbeaten and South Africa walked away with 2 important points.
