On this day, 19 years ago, South Africa chased down Australia’s world record total to win the fifth ODI at the Wanderers and the series 3-2.
Australia posted a mammoth 434-4 in their 50 overs, breaking the previous ODI record of 398-5 set by Sri Lanka against Kenya in 1996, thanks to a blistering 164 off 105 balls from captain Ricky Ponting and significant contributions from Adam Gilchrist (55), Simon Katich (79) and Michael Hussey (81).
During the interval, Jacques Kallis quipped that the bowlers had done their job and the Aussies were “10-15 runs short”, which lightened the mood in the Proteas change room.
While the hosts lost the early wicket of Boeta Dippenaar, captain Graeme Smith (90 off 55 balls; 13 fours, two sixes) and Herschelle Gibbs (175 off 111 balls; 21 fours and seven sixes) took the attack to the Aussies.
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Ponting’s men were jubilant after sending Smith, AB de Villiers (14 off 20 balls) and Gibbs back to the hut, leaving the Proteas 299-4 in the 32nd over.
But South Africa kept on going, with Mark Boucher getting great support from the tailenders.
When Andrew Hall was dismissed by Aussie speedster Brett Lee off the third ball of the final over, Makhaya Ntini came to the crease and scored the most important single of his career to give the strike back to Boucher.
With one run needed off two balls, Boucher drove Lee through mid-on to bring up his fifty and secure an incredible victory that had some fans in the capacity crowd crying with joy.
The match set several records.
South Africa’s 438-9 remains the highest successful ODI chase and the highest second-innings total in ODI history, while the aggregate of 872 runs is the highest in an ODI, with 26 sixes and 89 fours.
And Australia’s Mick Lewis conceded a then-record 113 runs in his 10 overs.
Photo: Hamish Blair/Getty Images
