Klusener shone in the tournament with his forceful batting, yet it all came to naught following a notorious run-out incident.
The heroics of former Proteas all-rounder Lance Klusener at the 1999 Cricket World Cup in England are still celebrated today.
Klusener’s dynamic all-round performance dominated the tournament, but ultimately, it was all for nothing as the Proteas didn’t clinch the World Cup, marred by a famous run-out debacle.
Some still point fingers at the man nicknamed Zulu for that run-out, yet for numerous cricket enthusiasts, the left-handed batsman was the highlight of the tournament, nearly carrying the Proteas single-handedly to their first World Cup final.
While Australia claimed the tournament victory, Klusener stole the spotlight.
Participating in his inaugural ICC World Cup in 1999, Klusener was initially selected primarily as a bowler, alongside Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock. His vigorous batting propelled the Proteas into the semi-finals, despite several batting collapses throughout the tournament.
KLUSENER’S 1999 WORLD CUP EXPLOITS REMAIN UNFORGETTABLE
In the semi-final against Australia, termed ‘the greatest World Cup match’ in history, the Proteas needed a win to advance to their first-ever WC final. Australia, batting first, was limited to just 213.
Gary Kirsten and Herschelle Gibbs provided a strong start for the Proteas, but after their dismissal, the team lost wickets at steady intervals until Klusener stepped up. The former Dolphins coach devastated the Australian bowlers, and with one over left, South Africa required nine runs to win.
Damien Fleming was tasked with the final over, and his initial two balls were dispatched for fours, swinging the momentum back to South Africa. With Klusener at the crease and just one run needed, a final berth seemed almost certain for SA.
The third delivery from Fleming was aggressively hit by Klusener but directly to a fielder; however, Donald made a run attempt but was hastily sent back, narrowly avoiding a run-out. What followed was not in Klusener’s favor.
Mike Proctor, a former South African batsman, anticipating the outcome after Donald’s hesitation, remarked, “That could be the difference between a World Cup final or nothing.”
The scenario repeated on the fourth ball, with Klusener misfiring his shot to mid-off, but this time, in panic, he sprinted for the run.
As he dashed down the pitch, Donald, at the opposite end, was fixated on the ball rather than running. Mark Waugh’s throw to Fleming, who then rolled it to Adam Gilchrist, sealed the run-out and Australia’s passage to the final.
The match concluded in a draw, but Australia advanced, having outperformed South Africa in the Super Six stage with a better net run rate.
Despite not winning the tournament, Klusener was celebrated as a hero, renowned for his baseball-style swing and powerful hitting.
Post-World Cup, he was acclaimed Player of the Tournament, amassing 281 runs at an average soaring above 140, along with claiming 17 wickets.
Back home, Klusener received accolades from fans and media alike, even earning a call from the global icon Nelson Mandela.
In the subsequent four years, Klusener couldn’t mirror his 1999 World Cup form, leading to the Proteas’ early exit in the 2003 tournament’s group stages.
His 1999 performances remain memorable to many cricket fans, but had he steered the Proteas to victory, he might have been revered as an icon akin to Siya Kolisi and Francois Pienaar.
