World Cup 1992 semi-final: One of the most controversial exits in World Cup history

How will you take it when you feel like you have been robbed from a victory you knew you will most likely win it. You obviously would feel heartbroken and in disbelief of what happened with you and your team. This is what happened in the Semi-Final of World Cup 1992 with South African cricket team against England.

The huge scorecard at SCG placed between Coke and Foster's bannersread SOUTH AFRICA TO WIN NEED 22 RUNS OFF 1 BALL

What Actually Happened?
The second semi-final of the 1992 World Cup, between England and South Africa – playing their first World Cup since the end of their 21-year Apartheid-induced isolation.(Apartheid induced isolation is covered later in this blog).

England managed a competitive 252/6 thanks to a worthy knock of 92 from Graeme Hick. The first innings were stopped at 45 overs as South Africa had bowled their overs slowly. In reply, the Keppler Wessels-led side were trudging on as they lost their way after a decent start. Jonty Rhodes did the repair job in the middle order bringing South Africa back into the game with some sharp running and occasional boundaries. Needing 47 off five overs then was a big task; but then this side was up for any cricketing challenge. That’s when the drama began:

The brooding Sydney skies opened up for a moment and the target was then reduced to 22 off 13, still achievable. The rain only grew heavier and that’s when umpires Steve Randell and Brian Aldridge decided to consult the players. England was adamant to leave the field finding it difficult to grip the ball and play on a soaking outfield. The Proteas obviously wanted to continue.

The umpires found the English argument to be valid and called the players off the field.

NOW, a new rule introduced for that World Cup meant the target was reduced only by the amount of runs scored in least productive two overs(Team batting first) with the bat.

Proteas had bowled two maiden overs when England were batting. This meant that with 2.1 overs remaining any time lost would not result in a reduction in the target but would mean the debutants would have lesser balls to complete the target.

The skies closed and the shower stopped. About 12 minutes of total time was lost. The new equation said that one over was deducted and South Africa had to score 22 off 7 deliveries. Confusion reigned further. Before the South Africans could come to terms with the new equation, they got a further jolt getting to know that the six balls reduction was incorrect. The gloomy shade of Sydney skies was now visible on the faces of South African players.The worst part of the whole situation was that neither the players nor the crowd were aware of the actual equation. Till the time they entered the ground the  new equation sky rocketed to 22 runs from 1 ball thanks to the new Rain Rule framed by 'God knows who'.

AdGraham Gooch shakes hands with Brian McMillan
after England’s controversial wind caption

THE AFTERMATH

• The Proteas felt humiliated and were obviously upset. Still they came out to the field after the match, shook hands with the visibly embarrassed English players and also did a lap of honor as one and all including English supporters cheered the unlucky heroes.

• England lost to Pakistan in the Final.

• The rain rule was replaced for ODI matches in Australia after the World Cup as a result of this incident, and it was eventually superseded by the Duck-worth-Lewis method for the 1999 World Cup on wards.

Though everyone raised a stink about the farcical rain rule, nobody questioned the broadcasters’ (Channel Nine) insistence on finishing the match the same day despite their being a reserve day for the semifinals. YEAH you read it right. There was a reserve day.

Probably that was South Africa’s best chance to lay their hands on the World Cup ever or even come close to winning it or even be runners up to that matter. The 1992 team, which was just two years old into international fold, exhibited daredevilry throughout the tournament. They beat defending champs Australia, West Indies, Pakistan, India and Zimbabwe en route the semifinal.

They had lost a chance to get into the World Cup final, having just got back into cricket after being banned when their government brought in apartheid.

What was Apartheid-induced isolation

In 1970, the ICC voted to suspend South Africa from international Cricket indefinitely because of its government's policy of apartheid, an overtly racist policy, which led them to play only against the white nations (England, Australia, New Zealand), and field only white players. 

This decision brought an abrupt end to the Test careers of hugely talented players such as Graeme Pollock, Peter Pollock, Barry Richards, Mike Procter and Eddie Barlow. It would also cause the emigration of future stars like Tony Greig, Allan Lamb and Robin Smith, who all played for England, and Kepler Wessels, who initially played for Australia, before returning to South Africa.

The ICC reinstated South Africa as a Test nation in 1991 after the deconstruction of apartheid, and the team played its first sanctioned match since 1970 (and its first ever One-Day International) against India in Calcutta on 10 November 1991.

Debutants South Africa were on their way to seal a fairy-tale semifinal win over then favorites, England. Their performance showed that a vivacious nation was born again with the apartheid establishment dying a slow death. But then that one moment of nature’s unpredictability combined with ridiculous set of laws ensured that all fairy tales don’t have a happy ending.😀

That's all from today's blog. Hope you liked this article💓. We would really appreciate you to be part of our blog by suggesting about our next article and we welcome any suggestions you like to improve the blog..

If you liked the blog  please let others know about this by sharing it. It would mean a lot.😊

CHEERS.........