Cricket just like many other sports has been a source of countless joys and moments of pride for its fans, but the game we so deeply love and cherish at times has also taken us to a rollercoaster ride of emotions and heart breaks leaving us dejected for our teams.
Here we list down 5 worst cricketing heartbreaks that left fans in tears
1. South Africa vs New Zealand, 2015 WC Semifinal, Auckland
Think of the saddest moments of cricket and the first picture that will crop up in your head will be of a teary Morne Morkle and AB de Villiers after the Semi Final loss against New Zealand in 2015. South Africa were in total control of their innings with 216/3 in 38th over when the rains brought with them a great deal of misfortune forcing them to finish their inning on 281/5 as the match was reduced to 43 overs each setting a DLS target of 298 runs for New Zealand.
New Zealand were off to a flying start with their gutsy leader Brendon McCullum smashing 59 off 26. South African bowlers gave their all to shift the momentum on their side with regular wickets, but the day belonged to the blackcaps as South African born Grant Elliot was having a dream run with the bat performing at the stage when it mattered the most. In the most incredible semi final things came down to 12 needing off the final over with South Africa relying on an injured Dale Steyn. 5 were needed off 2 deliveries when Elliot pulled him over the mid on to seal the World Cup Final berth in Melbourne, leaving the South African fielders in tears as many of them stood freezed to their positions on the outfield for a few moments finding it hard to believe what had just happened!
2. England Vs New Zealand, 2019 WC Final, Lords
Registered as one of the greatest games of 50 over cricket, this game was an epitome of how cruel the game of cricket can get at times. In a match that was a real test of temperament, Character and determination both teams were proved to be at par with each other. The game ended in a draw as England too finished at 241 chasing 242. The final then progressed to a super over shootout to determine the world champions. Ben Stokes powered England to a competitive 15 in their super over with blackcaps requiring 16 to engrave their name on the World Cup Trophy. Jimmy Neesham launched Jofra Archer's second legal delivery into the stands bringing the equation to 7 off 4. A string twos followed and Archer took Neesham off strike. 2 was required off 1 with Martin Guptill on strike and with everything at stake for both the sides who had never won a world cup before, Archer fired a Yorker as Guptill found deep mid wicket, but fell short as Jos Buttler completed the run out off a Jason Roy throw to also end the super over in a tie. England were declared the World Champions on Boundary count as they had 26 boundaries against New Zealand's 17. The memory of Guptill's tears, Neesham's six and Williamson's graceful smile got forever etched in every fan's heart!
3. India Vs New Zealand , 2019 World Cup semi final, Manchester
One of India's biggest heartbreaks in recent years came in the form of their semi final loss against New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup Semi final. Top Title contenders India were hot favourites in the match when they restricted New Zealand to a below par 239/8. In a game that was stretched for 2 days due to delay owing to rain, India to everyone's surprise were reduced to 5 for 3 thanks to the immaculate bowling by Matt Henry and Trent Boult. India did pull a brilliant comeback as they reached 203/6 from 92/6 with 37 required off the last 18. However, Ravindra Jadeja after giving his very best with the bat had to depart at 77 off his 59 after miscalculating a slower one from Boult. MS Dhoni who crawled his way to 43 with just 1 boundary smashed Lockie Ferguson for 6 at the start of 49th over with India then requiring 25 off 11, but the dreams of Men in blue along with their millions of fans came to a crashing end when Dhoni in order to keep the strike sprinted for a desperate second run two balls later only to be beaten by a exhilarating direct hit from Martin Guptill.
4. South Africa Vs Australia, 1999 World Cup semi final, Birmingham
The South Africa Vs Australia 1999 World Cup semi final will always find a mention in the list of World Cup Classics. Chasing a target of 213 South Africa needed 9 runs in last over of Damien Fleming with 1 wicket in hand. Lance Klusener who was having a great World cup smashed two boundaries off the first two balls, with this South Africa needed only 1 in 4 balls. The tension built up further as the 3rd one went for a dot. On the 4th ball Klusner attempted to steal a single but Allan Donald's poor response at the non striker's end allowed the Waugh, Fleming and Gilchrist trio to run him out and hence tie the match. Australia then qualified on the basis of Super Six result as there they beat South Africa.
5. Edgbaston Test, 2005 Ashes
As someone once correctly said 'White ball cricket is fast food, red ball cricket is fine dining' . The 2005 Ashes Edgbaston Test will always be remembered for the absolute treat it gave to the cricket fans around the World. In a game that was a perfect combination of emotions, thrill and sportsmanship England edged out Australia by just 2 runs as valiant efforts by Shane Warne (42) and Brett Lee (43) went in vain while they attempted to get 107 with 2 wickets remaining, chasing 282.
The sight of Andrew Flintoff consoling a dejected Brett Lee, when Michael Kasprowicz fell prey to Steve Harmison to hand England the win went down in history as one of the most iconic moments of sportsmanship.
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