'Songmaster' Ricky Ponting delivered it on my shoulders: Tom Moody recounts the 1999 World Cup win

Former Australia National Cricket Team all-rounder Tom Moody has recalled the 1999 ODI World Cup victory of the Aussies ahead of the Hundred 2024 final, where the Oval Invincibles, under his coaching, would aim to lift the title.

Oval Invincibles performed brilliantly throughout the competition to seal a spot in the final. The summit clash is set to be played on August 18 at Lord's Cricket Ground and Oval Invincibles will be taking one among Southern Brave and Birmingham Phoenix, who will be battling it out in the Eliminator.

As Invincibles keep an eye on the triumph at Lord's, their head coach, Tom Moody, recounted the memories of the 1999 ODI World Cup final win, which also came at the same venue. It was on June 20, 1999, that Pakistan National Cricket Team and Australia National Cricket Team faced off each other in the final.

Aussies were red-hot favorites to clinch the title in that tournament but they performed poorly in the first half, losing to the likes of New Zealand and Pakistan. However, they bounced back strong and booked a place in the final of the competition.

In the final, they lost the toss and were invited to bowl first. And a terrific performance from the Shane Warne-led bowling unit saw them bowling out Pakistan for 132 in 39 overs. Shane Warne bagged a 4-wicket haul while Glenn McGrath and Tom Moody picked up two wickets each. Also, Paul Reiffel and Damien Fleming got one wicket each.

Chasing the target, Adam Gilchrist played an aggressive brand of cricket and blasted a quickfire 54 to kick Pakistan out of the game. The other batters did a good job as well as they completed the run-chase in 20.1 overs to seal an 8-wicket win and clinch the trophy.

Ricky Ponting was the songmaster, and he delivered it on my shoulders, right in the middle - Tom Moody

Tom Moody, who was the unsung hero of Australia's 1999 World Cup victory, spoke about the triumph during a recent interview. He said that the Aussies faced a do-or-die situation, and from thereon, they played special cricket to win the trophy. He also revealed that they had a prolonged dressing room celebration after the win.

"We came in as favorites, but we played poorly for the first half of the tournament," he said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. "We basically had to win seven in a row to be crowned champions."

"Being part of that journey for those seven games was pretty special. We had a long period of time in the dressing room to enjoy the experience of the journey and the occasion. All sorts of people came through, from family to famous cricket fans, but we were in our own bubble."

Tom Moody also recalled how after the match, the Australian team gathered on the pitch to sing their traditional Beneath the Southern Cross song and cheekily said that Ricky Ponting, who was the songmaster, delivered it on his shoulders due to which he still has lower back issues.

"Traditionally in the Australian team, we'd always sing that team song after a Test or a one-day series win. Ricky Ponting was the songmaster, and he delivered it on my shoulders, right in the middle. My lower back is still recovering."