The most infamous rain rule moment in cricket — South Africa needed 22 off 13 balls, then rain reduced it to 22 off 1 ball.
The Match
The 1992 World Cup semi-final between England and South Africa at the SCG in Sydney is one of cricket's most dramatic and controversial matches.
England batted first and scored 252/6 in 45 overs (the match was already reduced due to rain). South Africa were chasing magnificently, with Brian McMillan and Dave Richardson at the crease.
The Fateful Rain Break
With South Africa needing 22 runs from 13 balls — a very achievable target — rain stopped play for 12 minutes. Under the 'most productive overs' rule used in that World Cup, the target was recalculated by removing the least productive overs from South Africa's chase.
The result was absurd: 2 overs were removed, but the target was only reduced by 1 run. South Africa now needed 21 from 1 ball — mathematically impossible.
The Aftermath
The scoreboard displaying '22 off 1 ball' became one of cricket's most iconic and heartbreaking images. South African players were devastated. The crowd was furious.
This single incident was the primary catalyst for the development of the Duckworth-Lewis method. Frank Duckworth was watching the match on TV and later said: 'I remember saying to my wife, surely there must be a better way.'
The rain rule disaster also denied South Africa — playing in their first World Cup after the end of apartheid — a place in the final.
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