ICC Cricket World Cup 1999: Australia Won at Lord's, Klusener-Donald Run-Out Semifinal Heartbreak
The ICC Cricket World Cup 1999 was the seventh edition of the Cricket World Cup, held in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and the Netherlands in May-June 1999. Australia won the tournament for the second time, defeating Pakistan by 8 wickets in the final at Lord's Cricket Ground on 20 June 1999. The tournament is best remembered for the semifinal between South Africa and Australia — tied at 213 each, with South Africa needing one run off the last ball when Lance Klusener hit the ball and Allan Donald failed to run: Donald ran, turned, slipped, and was run out. Australia won on net run rate. Steve Waugh captained the unbeaten Australian side. Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath were the dominant bowlers.
The 1999 Cricket World Cup was hosted across five countries in the British Isles — England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and the Netherlands — with the final at Lord's. Australia, captained by Steve Waugh, went through the Super Six stage (after a group-stage loss to Pakistan in a match in which they fielded a weakened side) winning all subsequent matches. Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath were the dominant bowlers throughout. South Africa, coached by Bob Woolmer and captained by Hansie Cronje, were considered the co-favourites alongside Australia.
The Klusener-Donald Run-Out: Cricket's Most Heartbreaking Moment
The 1999 World Cup semifinal between South Africa and Australia at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on 17 June 1999 produced the most celebrated and heartbreaking moment in World Cup history. With South Africa needing 1 run off the last ball to win, Lance Klusener drove the ball into the off side and ran — but Allan Donald, the non-striker, failed to initially move, dropped his bat, then ran, then panicked, and was run out by a direct hit. The match was tied at 213 all. Under the tournament rules, a Super Six tie favoured Australia on net run rate — South Africa were eliminated despite the tied match. Donald walked off the field in visible distress. Klusener was consoled by Warne.
The Final: Australia Beat Pakistan at Lord's
In the final at Lord's on 20 June 1999, Pakistan posted 132 all out — bowled out by an Australian attack led by Shane Warne (4/33) and Glenn McGrath (2/13). Australia chased the target with 8 wickets and 9.5 overs to spare. Adam Gilchrist and Mark Waugh opened; Adam Gilchrist top-scored with 54. Australia won in 20.1 overs — one of the most one-sided World Cup finals ever played. It was Australia's second World Cup title (after 1987). Steve Waugh was the tournament's defining captain — the image of him hitting a boundary off the last ball of the Super Six stage to guarantee qualification while on 99* became one of cricket's most famous photographs.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 1999 World Cup semifinal between South Africa and Australia?
In the 1999 World Cup semifinal at Edgbaston on 17 June 1999, South Africa needed 1 run off the last ball to win. Lance Klusener drove the ball and ran, but Allan Donald failed to move at first, dropped his bat, panicked, and was run out attempting to complete the run. The match ended tied at 213-213. Under tournament rules, a Super Six tie was decided by net run rate: Australia had a better NRR and advanced to the final. South Africa were eliminated despite the tied result. It is considered the most heartbreaking moment in World Cup history.
Who won the 1999 Cricket World Cup and how dominant were they?
Australia won the 1999 Cricket World Cup, defeating Pakistan by 8 wickets in the final at Lord's on 20 June 1999. Pakistan were bowled out for 132 (Shane Warne 4/33, Glenn McGrath 2/13) and Australia chased in 20.1 overs — one of the most one-sided finals ever played. It was Australia's second World Cup title (after 1987). Steve Waugh captained. Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath were the tournament's dominant bowlers. Australia were unbeaten from the Super Six stage onward.