For most of the 1996 World Cup semi-final in Mohali, the West Indies were dominating the match and had Australia exactly where they wanted them. Then came Shane Warne who took control and the match that
looked almost won turned into one of the Caribbean side’s most painful defeats. Australia had struggled after being sent in to bat, losing four wickets for just 15 runs.
The West Indies bowlers had made the most of the early conditions, putting the Australians under pressure in a match where a place in the World Cup final was at stake. Stuart Law and Michael Bevan helped rebuild the innings with half-centuries, taking Australia to 207 before they were bowled out.
🏏🔥 1996 WORLD CUP — THE SEMI-FINAL WEST INDIES THREW AWAY!
🇦🇺 Australia vs West Indies 🌴 Mohali
Australia from 15/4 to 207/8
Stuart Law (72) and Michael Bevan (69) staged a magnificent 138-run rescue partnership. Ian Healy’s brisk 31 pushed Australia to 207/8.
WEST INDIES — FROM CERTAIN VICTORY TO DISASTER! 😱
Brian Lara’s attacking 45 and Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s gritty 80 put West Indies firmly in control at 165/2, chasing just 208!
Then came one of World Cup cricket’s greatest collapses!
Despite captain Richie Richardson’s unbeaten 49, West Indies lost their final 8 wickets for just 37 runs!
💥 From 165/2 to 202 ALL OUT!
🏆 PLAYER OF THE MATCH: SHANE WARNE
💔 West Indies suffered one of cricket’s most heartbreaking World Cup exits!
#Cricket
— TheInsightDesk (@TheInsight_Desk) October 15, 2026
It was not a massive total, but it gave their bowlers something to defend. The West Indies began their chase confidently. Brian Lara scored 45, while captain Richie Richardson provided stability. When the score reached 165 for two in the 42nd over, the West Indies needed only 43 runs from the remaining overs with eight wickets still in hand.
Australia needed something special and Shane Warne produced it.
The leg-spinner broke through at a crucial stage and finished with four wickets for 36 runs. As the wickets began to fall, the West Indies lost the calm and control that had carried them so close to the target. Australia’s fielders backed their bowlers, and the pressure mounted with every dismissal. Richardson remained unbeaten on 49, but he ran out of partners. The West Indies were eventually bowled out for 202 in 49.3 overs, falling five runs short of Australia’s total of 207.
The turnaround was remarkable. From 165 for two, the West Indies lost their remaining eight wickets for just 37 runs. Australia who had looked in serious trouble with the bat, had somehow found a way into the final. It was another reminder of Warne’s ability to change a game when it mattered most. His spell did not just win Australia a semi-final but it helped set up their run to the final where they would be up against Sri Lanka.
