In the 1983 ICC Cricket World Cup, Australia were joint favourites with holders West Indies to win the tournament. But as it turned out, they not only failed to make it to the semi-finals, they also lost a crucial match to Zimbabwe.

Until this match, newcomers Zimbabwe were seen as easy pickings by the rest of the cricketing world. The Australian team was loaded with talent, but newly appointed captain Kim Hughes was in for a serious shock.

The man who enabled Zimbabwe to create history was their captain and all-rounder Duncan Fletcher, who is at present doing duty for England as one of the highest-paid cricket coaches in the world.

The Australians was confident to the point of cockiness and Lillee was said to have advised his skipper to field first if he won the toss. "At least, we can get back to London early," was the great fast bowler's reasoning.

Zimbabwe, put in to bat were tottering predictably at 94 for 5, Lillee himself doing the early damage. Australia's bad day began as Duncan Fletcher launched a fantastic recovery. Aiding him in the rescue act were Kevin Curran (another coach at this year's ICC Cricket World Cup), who made 27 and Ian Butcher, who made 34.

Fletcher held one end up to remain unbeaten on 69. He had a 70-run partnership with Curran and an even better one of 75 with Ian Butchart. This unfinished seventh-wicket effort was put together in only 12 overs. The runs came to a total of 239: not safe but surely a fighting score.

Graeme Wood and Kepler Wessels gave Australia a sound start by putting on a 61-run opening stand. Fletcher, in a last throw of the dice, brought himself on. He struck instantly and took four wickets, those of Wood, Kim Hughes, David Hookes and Graham Yallop, to change the complexion of the game completely.

With Wessels run out for 76, the Aussies were in trouble. Fearing further loss of wickets, they defended. Fletcher did everything to keep them on a tight leash. Even though Rodney Marsh went on a spree of wild hitting, the effort came ate and the Australians fell 13 runs short of the Zimbabwe total, with three wickets still in hand. This grand upset ruined Australia's title hopes. They finished third, behind the West Indies and India in their pool.