20 Years Ago, Herschelle Gibbs Dropped The Catch That Would Ultimately Send South Africa Crashing Out Of The World Cup
He dropped Steve Waugh in the 31st over of their Super Sixes match.
Moments such as these have contributed in making South Africa eternal chokers. Herschelle Gibbs blasted away to his 101 off 134 deliveries to take South Africa to an imposing total of 271. But then as the Proteas defended the total with a bowling attack comprising Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock and Lance Klusener, Gibbs again changed the course of the match by dropping Steve Waugh at mid-wicket.
Steve Waugh blasted his way to 120 in 110 balls only because he was dropped by the South African in the 31st over of the match. Lance Klusener pitch the ball on the middle-stump and Waugh neatly flicked it towards the mid-wicket. But he was unfortunate to find Gibbs placed there.
Gibbs, who is generally an outstanding fielder, messed it up by getting excited. The moment he caught the ball, he tried to hurl the ball in excitement, as a result of which the ball slipped from his fingertips.
Waugh was eventually adjudged not out.
It was reported that soon after the incident, Waugh said, ¡° You just dropped the World Cup Mate!"
Little did Gibbs know that he actually had. A few days later, Australia beat Pakistan in the final to clinch their second World Cup title.
