Which was the best world cup semi-final ever?(CORRECTED POST)

[Harsh Thakor]

This is my choice in order of merit of the best ever world cup semi-finals 1.1999 South Africa -Australia-tied -213 each tied gamewith both teams scoring 213 runs.No match has ever had such a flux of fortunes or such an enthralling climax.Like a Hollywood epic.In a run chase the Proteas appeared coasting home before a sensational spell by Shane Warne and again seemed on track before a flurry of wickets.At the death Kluesner took them to the brink of victory only for a run-out to laeve the scores tied and enable Australia to qualify for the final.In the final over Lance Kluesner's bludgeon with the bat and Daniel Feming's spirited comeback with the ball gave a great game an epic climax.The last over in many ways reflected the whole game's picture. 2.England-Australia semi-final of 1975-Australai win by 4 wickets After being skittled out for a meagre 93 in overcast conditions with Gary Gilmour capturing a staggering 6-28 England had Australia reeling at 39-6.The ball was wobbling all over the place with Snow and Arnold superbly exploiting the overcast conditions.In the end Gary Gilmour took his team through with an unbeaten 28. 3.South Africa -New Zealand-New Zealand win by 4 wickets The best ever semi-final in a high scoring run chase which had the spectators on the edge of their seats.The ebb and flow continuously turned like heavy rain intervening on a hot sunny day.Chasing a mammoth 298 of 43 overs a sensational start by Brendon Mcculam put the kiwis on track,which was later consolidated by a classic fifth wicket partnership of 103 between Cory Anderson and Grant Elliot and finally a flourishing finish of Elliot and Daniel Vettori who took New Zealand home.The Proteas hit back at crucial junctures but fielding lapses cost them the game.The final over ended with a classic finishing touch of Grant Elliot who lifted Steyn for a six.Few times has a team ever deserved to lose more.The Kiwi nerves and temperament prevailed on the day. 4.Australia-Pakistan 1987-Australia won by 18 runs Australia upset the Pakistan applecart and destroyed the myth of Pakistan invincibility.They stuck to their guns after scoring handy 269 and inspite of a Pakistan recovery spiritedly defended their target .From 38-3 Pakistan recovered to 158-4 but then the run rate kept slipping up and wickets tumbled.Javed Miandad's wicket and earlier Imran Khan's dismissal were the chief turning points.Australia on the day deserved to win and few games reflected how spirit could triumph against all adversity.A much more talented or stronger Pakistan team was beaten. 5.England-New Zealand 1979-England won by 9 runs England prevailed by 9 runs after scoring 221-7 .With 68 required with 10 overs to go and 4 wickest left the Kiwis had an even chance but Mike Brearley's imaginative leadership and the all-round skills of the English bowlesr won the game by a margin of 9 runs.The Kiwis needed 26 of the last 3 and 15 of the last. 6.West Indies-Australia 1996 Needing a mere 43 of 9 overs,chasing a target of 206 to win West Indies collapsed to lose by 6 runs at the brink.Shane Warne's magic turn won the day which totally changed the complexion of the game and ressurected Australia from the grave.The last 4 overs were like seeing a Holywood thriller with Richie Richardson pegging back his team to come within the brink of victory after a big flurry of wickets. 7.Pakistan-New Zealand 1992-Pakistan won by 4 wickets After looking down and out at 144-4 chasing a target of 263 to win a classic innings by Inzamam Ul Haq gave a 180 degree turn to the game and pulled them out of the ambush..Inzamam launched one of the most calculated and staggering assaults suported by Javed Miandad.In a tight finish Miandad and Moin Khan steered Pakistan home. 8.West Indies-Pakistan 1979-West Indies won by 43 runs Chasing 293-6 which was a staggering target in those days Pakistan were coasting at 176-1 needing over 5 run sper over with Zaheer Abbas and Majid Khan giving a dazzling display of strokeplay.After Zaheer ,Majid and Miandad were dismissed Pakistan collapsed to lose by 43 runs.With 21 overs to go Pakisatn looked like gaining an epic win but the West Indian attack proved too good for them. 9.South Africa -England 1992 semi-final-England won by 21 runs-Duckworth and Lewis method England won technically and played the better cricket but in acompletre game maynot have prevailed by more than 7 runs.Although still marginal favourites England could have ben thwarted had rain not intervened woth 13 bals left and 22 runs more for the Protaes to win.South Africa did not bolw well on the day and chasing 265 in 45 overs faltered at junctures.Neverthless spiritedly fought before the rain gods intervened.