1999 Cricket World Cup
Man of the Tournament 1999 - Lance Klusener - 281 runs (strike rate of 122) and 17 wickets
The all-rounder Lance Klusener was part of the South African team in a time in which it was very successful in One Day International cricket. He played 9 matches in the World Cup and almost made it 10 with his final overs cameo against Australia in the semi-final that went in vain as the match was tied. Klusener averaged 140.5 with the bat and 20.58 with the ball in this World Cup.
Klusener opened his World Cup with a win against India in which he took 3/66 and made 12 not out. He continued his form in subsequent matches, scoring 52* and 3/21 against Sri Lanka, 48* and 1/16 against England, 5/21 against Kenya, 52* and 1/36 in a losing cause against Zimbabwe to carry South Africa through to the Super Sixes stage. In the Super Sixes, Klusener failed with the bat for the first time in the Cup, scoring only 4 against New Zealand, but he still took 2/46 with the ball. He scored 46* and took 1/41 against Pakistan and scored 36 and 1/53 against Australia in another losing cause. In the World Cup semi-final, Klusener came in when the score was 6/175, with the South Africans required 39 in 5 overs to win. Klusener scored 31 off just 16 balls and brought South Africa to the level of a tie, but then a run out with Allan Donald resulted in the match remaining tied and Australia passed through to the final per past results with Klusener remaining stranded not out.
Klusener had a strike rate of 122, indicative of his quick-paced batting, but his average was higher than even his strike rate. While Rahul Dravid was the leading run-scorer (461) and Shane Warne was the leading wicket taker (20). His all-round performance earned him the man of the series award.
Man of the Final Match 1999 - Shane Warne - 4/33
The 1999 Cricket World Cup final was between Australia and Pakistan. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first. The openers were out early as Pakistan got to 3/68 at the 20th over. Australian leg spin bowler Shane Warne was brought into the attack and made impact, bowling out Ijaz Ahmed for 22 and having Moin Khan caught behind for 6, reducing Pakistan to 5/91 after 27 overs. Pakistan attempted to rebuild their innings through their long line of all-rounders, but Warne and Paul Reiffel eliminated the threat. Warne got the wickets of captain Wasim Akram and dangerous all-rounder Shahid Afridi. Pakistan were all out for 132 and Warne ended with 4/33.
The target was of no concern to the Australia team, winning by 8 wickets with 29.5 overs in hand, with Adam Gilchrist top scoring with 54. Warne was awarded Man of the Match for his match-winning bowling performance.
Read more about this topic: Cricket World Cup Awards, History
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