Today, June 14, 2025, marks the 26th anniversary of a moment etched in cricket folklore: Herschelle Gibbs' infamous drop of Steve Waugh in the 1999 World Cup. As fate would have it, memories of that pivotal event resurfaced during the third day of the World Test Championship (WTC) final between Australia and South Africa at Lord's, when Steve Smith dropped Temba Bavuma in the slips, resulting in a painful injury for the Australian batter.
Back in 1999, the Super Six clash between Australia and South Africa was poised on a knife's edge. Australia, needing a win to secure their semi-final berth, were in a precarious position when Waugh, then on 56, edged a delivery from Lance Klusener towards Gibbs at mid-wicket. Gibbs, in a premature celebration, attempted to flick the ball up in the air, only to see it slip from his grasp. Waugh went on to score an unbeaten 120, guiding Australia to a crucial victory. The dropped catch had significant repercussions, as Australia ultimately progressed to the semi-finals, where they tied with South Africa and advanced due to their superiorSuper Six stage record. Australia then defeated Pakistan in the final to lift the trophy, leaving South Africa to rue what might have been.
Fast forward to the 2025 WTC final, and the cricket gods seemed to be playing a cruel trick on both Australia and South Africa. On Day 3, with South Africa chasing a target of 282, Bavuma edged a ball from Mitchell Starc towards Smith, who was fielding in the slips. Smith, positioned closer than usual and wearing a helmet, got his hands to the ball, but failed to hold on to the catch. In the process, he suffered a compound dislocation of his right little finger. Smith immediately left the field in noticeable discomfort and was taken to the hospital for X-rays and further treatment, effectively ruling him out of the remainder of the match.
The parallels between the two incidents are uncanny. Both involved crucial catches, Australian batsmen, and South African fielders. The stakes were incredibly high in both instances, with the dropped catch in 1999 having a direct impact on the World Cup outcome, and Smith's drop potentially altering the course of the WTC final. The irony of Smith, considered one of Australia's best fielders, suffering such an injury while dropping a catch was not lost on commentators and fans. Former New Zealand wicket-keeper Ian Smith, commentating on the game, noted the unfortunate nature of the injury, highlighting Smith's experience and importance to the Australian team.
The impact of Smith's injury extends beyond the dropped catch. His absence from the remainder of the WTC final significantly weakens the Australian batting lineup and removes a key figure from their fielding unit. This is especially concerning given the relatively modest target South Africa is chasing. As South Africa closed the third day on 213-2, needing just 69 more runs to win, the dropped catch and subsequent injury to Smith looms large as a potential turning point in the match.
While the Gibbs drop in 1999 is often remembered with a sense of heartbreak for South African fans, the Smith incident adds another layer of complexity to the narrative between these two cricketing nations. Whether Bavuma's reprieve will have the same monumental impact as Waugh's second life remains to be seen, but the echoes of that day in 1999 are certainly resonating at Lord's today. South Africa, spurred on by Aiden Markram's century and Bavuma's resilient innings despite a hamstring strain, are in a strong position to potentially end their World Championship hoodoo.
