OTD | Herschelle Gibbs dropped ‘costliest’ catch in Proteas history in 1999

Herschelle Gibbs, a former South Africa opener, is renowned for being an energetic fielder at the backward point and has rescued numerous critical runs for his team over his career. However, on June 13, 1999, during the Proteas’ match against Australia in the 1999 Cricket World Cup, the right-hander missed a catch that would have given his team the victory. The alleged comment made by then-Aussie captain Steve Waugh, “How does it feel to drop the World Cup, Herschelle?” may still be haunting him.

Hansie Cronje, the South African captain, elected to bat first after winning the toss, and his team scored 271 runs in 50 overs. Gibbs led his team in performance and scored a crucial hundred, scoring 101 runs off 134 deliveries to lead his team to victory. In 62 deliveries, Daryll Cullinan scored a half-century.

In response, the Australian team only scored 48 runs while losing three wickets. Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh guided the innings to win while the team was faltering in the 12th over. Ponting left the pitch for 69 off 110 balls after putting together a partnership of more than 120 with Waugh.

South Africa and Australia met again in the semifinal:

Before Ponting’s dismissal in the 31st over of the chase, Klusener delivered a length delivery to Waugh. He attempted to flick it towards the middle of the wicket, but it went straight to Gibbs’ hands. Gibbs came close to intercepting it, but his early celebrations made the ball slip out of his hands. Australia won the game as a result of this lost catch. Waugh continued to excel at the plate and led his team to victory with an unbeaten 110-ball 120.

Earlier, South Africa had already guaranteed its place in the semifinals. Following this triumph, Australia had the opportunity to play the Proteas again in the semi-final, which resulted in a stalemate. The outcome of the preceding game was taken into account after the game was deemed a draw, and their five-wicket victory enabled Australia to advance to the finals. Later, the Waugh-led team would overcome Pakistan in the World Cup final to win their second World Cup.