In Quest of Glory

To recall events from eight previous World Cups is to be stunned by the pace of cricket's change; from the bare-headed innocence of 1975 to helmets, sliding stops, floodlights and pyjamas. Vivid among myriad images are those of triumphant captains holding aloft the trophy - of Kapil Dev's matinee-idol smile after the 1983 triumph, of Imran Khan proud and aloof in 1992, of Ranatunga ecstatic at Sri Lanka's coming of age in 1996, of Steve Waugh’s euphoric elation on the Lord's balcony in 1999 and Ricky Ponting's .

Then there are the deeds themselves – Clive Lloyd’s masterful knock that conquered the world in 1975, Viv Richards flaying England in 1979 and leaving the fearsome Garner to complete the rout, Akram’s two deliveries from heaven in 1992, Aravinda using a bat like a magic-wand in 1996. Misdeeds linger, too, like Mike Gatting's miscued reverse sweep condemning England to narrow defeat against the arch-enemy Australia in 1987. And there are bizarre memories - of Boycott bowling in his cap during the 1979 final and later, when England set off in pursuit of 287 to beat West Indies, the Yorkshireman taking 17 of the 60 available overs to get into double figures. In 32 years, like some heady cocktail, cricket has been shaken and stirred by advancing commercialism, new technology and a growing global awareness of the game's power as a social and business tool.

As a passionate cricket lover, the one World Cup game which would remain itched in my memory is the semi-final between Australia and South Africa at Edgbaston Birmignham in 1999. Australia had won their other Super Six matches convincingly before clashing against each other at Leeds. Thanks to Herschelle Gibbs, who dropped Steve Waugh as he prematurely celebrated without completing the catch when the batsman was on 56, Australia won the match by two wickets to move into the semifinal stage. Waugh remained unbeaten on 120.

A photo-finish: Donald runs himself out and Aussies jubilant like never before

Both teams again met in the semifinal, which is believed to be the most stunning game ever played on the planet (until the epic encounter between both sides at Johannesburg last year). There can be hardly any cricket lover who was not watching that semifinal, except Ian Botham who was watching US Open golf. In scenes of complete cricketing madness, the game ended in World Cup’s first ever tie. As Australia had finished higher than South Africa in the Super Six table the result was as good as a win for Australia and a loss for South Africa. As such, one nation was joyous and the other heartbroken.

With just two more balls left Klusener made contact with Fleming’s fourth delivery, neither Shepherd nor, apparently, Donald heard the call as the striker ran. Mark Waugh, advancing from mid-off threw the ball towards the stumps and Fleming relayed it to Gilchrist. Donald had begun his run, his bat discarded, and he was barely halfway when the wicket was broken and the African hearts. Australians were toasting success. "Ridiculous running by South Africa," Bill Lawry boomed in the commentary box. Mike Procter hung up his headphones and went to the South African dressing room. "Shattered," he said. And that was just the commentators.