Top 5 game changing moments in cricket

1. Herscehelle Gibbs dropping Steve Waugh in 1999 world cup Super Sixes:

“Mate, you have just dropped the World Cup”. I am not sure if those were the words which came from the mouth of Stephen Waugh when he was dropped by Gibbs during 1999 WC super six game against South Africa. Some of them say he said it, while some deny it and even Waugh himself does not seem to remember what exactly he conveyed.

Whether or not it was said by the former Australian captain – South Africa, I can say, lost the World Cup precisely because of failing to latch on to that catch the Aussie captain offered.

It was a must win game for the Australians at Headingly, as a loss here would have meant their exit from the World Cup. It was in fact the final super six game where they took on their arch rivals South Africans. South Africa, attempting to shrug off their chokers tag, performed excellently with the bat, posing a stiff target of 272 runs for the Australians to chase. The Australians began very nervously, and were soon reduced to 48/3.

So it was all left to Steve Waugh to play a captain’s knock. In fact, this mentally tough batsman did the same. He scored his half century and as he was beginning to look a bit dangerous, he guided a ball off Lance Klusener straight into the hands of Herschelle Gibbs, who was fielding inside the circle. It was a sitter which should have been taken. But Gibbs made a mess of it by dropping it even after the ball seemed to have got into his possession quite comfortably. Failing to secure it in his hands, he gave a second life to the Australian captain.

That was enough for Steve to turn things around as he compiled a spirited century, winning the match for his country. The Australians not only entered the semifinals but also forced their way into the finals as well, thanks to some reckless running by the South African batsmen at the most crucial juncture.

Thus, the drop proved too costly for the South Africans, who would have otherwise played an easier semifinal against Zimbabwe and who knows – would have even won their first ever World Cup.