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Dominance was the Australian teams' identity

S. Dinakar

Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist inspired a hat-trick of triumphs

The man they call ‘Tugga' surveyed the field. Steve Waugh counted fielders, on either side, with his fingers in that exaggerated manner of his. The Aussie skipper's probing cricketing mind was looking for chinks and exploring possibilities. Australia was on the brink and the game's ultimate fighter was playing the innings of his one-day career.

It was a must-win game to qualify for the semifinals of the 1999 World Cup in England. Australia, in pursuit of a stiff 272 against South Africa, had slumped to 48 for three. The high-intensity game at Leeds was on the boil.

Waugh did not blink. Instead, he counter-attacked on two flanks — with his ‘blood-and-guts' batsmanship and psychological tricks.

When Herschelle Gibbs floored an early offering from Waugh, the Aussie captain taunted him with immortal words — “Mate, you have just dropped the World Cup.”

The contest witnessed a major momentum shift; it was now South Africa that was under pressure.

‘Iron Man' Waugh conquered a peak by finishing 120 not out and Australia, against all odds, was through to the last four stage.

Needing to win all its three Super Six matches following defeats at the hands of New Zealand and Pakistan in the league phase, Australia had come back from the dead.

The beginning

That typically courageous effort from Waugh was the genesis of Australia's remarkable hat-trick of triumphs in the 1999, 2003 and 2007 World Cups.

These were strong, resilient teams with balance and depth. The aggressive Aussies hustled their opponents, dominated matches mentally.

And the side possessed match-winners. Legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne was a game-changer. We travel back to the '99 World Cup in the Old Blighty where Australia and South Africa met again in the semifinal at Birmingham.

Stung by the South African pace pack, the Aussies finished at a modest 213. Then, Warne assumed centrestage. In a tantalising display of classical leg-spin bowling, Warne scalped four.

Big hitting

Yet, with the big-hitting Lance Klusener biffing a few telling blows, the match ended in an explosive tie. Australia was through since it had won all its matches in the Super Six stage.

One-day cricket is loaded in favour of batsmen. But then, in lean and mean Glenn McGrath and Warne, Australia possessed two bowlers who could swing or turn matches in any format.

McGrath's high-arm action, exemplary line around the off-stump, two-way seam movement and bounce made him a formidable bowler. To top it all, his control was exemplary; the relentless McGrath was ruthless.

There have been few more lethal pace-spin combinations than McGrath and Warne as they searched a batsman's technique and created pressure.

Even when they did not bowl in tandem, the combination demolished batting sides. McGrath would slice through the top-order and then Warne made further inroads.

The Wasim Akram-led Pakistan was swept aside in the summit clash at Lord's. McGrath conceded just 13 runs in his nine overs while picking up two wickets, and Warne bamboozled the batsmen with his flight, dip and turn to claim four for 33.

Pakistan was bundled out for 132 and Australia was a runaway winner.

In a stirring run, Australia won seven successive matches to lift the trophy. Waugh was the inspirational captain.

The transition

Australia had a different leader, Ricky Ponting, in the 2003 edition in southern Africa. The side was jolted ahead of the tournament when Warne tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance.

But new heroes emerged. The powerful Andrew Symonds grew in stature with a match-winning 143 not out in adversity against Pakistan at the Wanderers. Once again, Australia had displayed its indomitable spirit.

And Symonds's crucial, unbeaten 91 enabled Australia progress to 212 for seven, on a track that encouraged spinners, in the semifinal against Sri Lanka at Port Elizabeth. Then, the formidable pace pair of McGrath and the fast and furious Brett Lee cut all escape routes.

In the final at the Wanderers, Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist seized the initiative from India by launching into the new ball bowlers after Sourav Ganguly had elected to field.

The belligerent Ponting (140 not out) and the smooth-stroking Damien Martyn (88 not out) consolidated as Australia surged to an imposing 359 for two. India was seldom in the hunt.

Gilly and the squash ball

Australia continued to be a formidable force as the side again defended its title in the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean.

Hayden made tons of runs at the top with solidity, flair and power. Slinger Shaun Tait worked up astonishing speeds when reversing the ball while left-arm wrist spinner Brad Hogg flummoxed batsmen. And, with his wife battling cancer at home, McGrath displayed tremendous character to operate with customary precision.

South Africa, skittled out for 149, was brushed aside in the semifinal at Gros Islet.

In the final at Bridgetown, Adam Gilchrist, with his ability to pick the length early, footwork and bat-speed conjured a sensational 104-ball 149 in a rain-shortened game.

Significantly, Gilchrist batted with a squash ball in his left glove for better grip as he waded into Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga and Muttiah Muralitharan.

The gaps were found magically and the ball soared over the ropes. There was going to be only one winner in this title clash.

Finals: Brief scores: 1999: Lord's, London, June 20: Pakistan 132 in 39 overs (S. Warne four for 33) lost to Australia 133 for two in 20.1 overs (A. Gilchrist 54).

2003: Wanderers, Johannesburg, March 23: Australia 359 for two in 50 overs (A. Gilchrist 57, R. Ponting 140 not out, D. Martyn 88 not out) bt India 234 in 39.2 overs (V. Sehwag 82, R. Dravid 47, G. McGrath three for 52).

2007: Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, April 28: Australia 281 for four in 38 overs (A. Gilchrist 149) bt Sri Lanka (revised target 269 in 36 overs) 215 for eight in 36 overs (S. Jayasuriya 63, K. Sangakkara 54) .

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