Since its very inception in 1975, the World Cup has served up many remarkable matches. Our members have reviewed the thrillers and upsets to vote for their All-Time Best list of matches:
1. 1975 Australia v West Indies
Clive Lloyd led from the front with a spectacular century in the final as West Indies defeated Australia by 17 runs to take the inaugural World Cup at Lords.
After an early collapse, Lloyd’s blistering hundred and Viv Richards’ spectacular fielding had the Windies on top. But a stirring last-wicket stand between pace duo Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee kept Aussie hopes alive before Deryck Murray ran out Thomson to secure a thrilling win.
2. 1999 Australia v South Africa
Australia and South Africa wrote one of the most astonishing chapters in the history of the World Cup.
Big-hitting allrounder Lance Klusener got South Africa to within 1 run of a win with 4 balls remaining. Inexplicably he ran for glory whilst the last man Allan Donald stood rooted at the other end before belatedly setting off. The runout resulted in a tied match. It was the match that had everything and is widely regarded as the best one-day international ever played.
3. 1983 West Indies v India
India making the final itself was a shock event. The Windies pace attack restricted India to just 183 off 54 overs, with Kris Srikkanth top-scoring on 38.
The Indian team rejoiced after this famous victory that stunned the cricketing world.
4. 2011 Ireland v England
Kevin O’Brien smashed the fastest century (113) in World Cup history off just 50 balls as Ireland recorded their greatest win on cricket’s biggest stage.
Ireland was struggling at 111-5 chasing England’s massive 327 for eight when O’Brien delivered an astonishing display of power-hitting. He beat the previous fastest Cup century record held by Australia’s Matthew Hayden, who hit 100 off 66 balls in 2007.
5. 1996 Australia v West Indies
In one of the most remarkable World Cup games of all time, Australia snatched a dramatic 5-run win after being down and out for most of the semi-final. The Windies collapsed spectacularly with victory in sight, crumbling from 165-2 to 202 all out.
Earlier, Australia struggled to 207-8 after being 15-4 at one stage.
6. 2011 India v Sri Lanka
Chasing 275 for a historic win, the Indians held their nerves as they rode on Gautam Gambhir’s 97 and Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s unbeaten 91 to overhaul the target with 10 balls to spare and send the cricket-crazy nation into a frenzy.
This was India’s second World Cup victory, having previously won in 1983. India thus became the third nation to have won the World Cup more than once, along with Australia and the West Indies.
7. 1992 Pakistan v England
Imran Khan’s Pakistani team defeated England in a memorable final at the MCG to take the 1992 World Cup.
Pakistan were like “cornered tigers” as they played the second half of the 1992 World Cup only a defeat away from elimination after a poor start. Wasim Akram was the star as he destroyed England with his swing bowling.
8. 2015 New Zealand v Australia
With six needed for the win, Kane Williamson (45 not out) hit Pat Cummins for a straight six to seal a thrilling 1 wicket win over Australia.
9. 1996 Sri Lanka v Australia
Sri Lankan cricket came of age in the glare of Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium floodlights when they beat overwhelming favorites Australia by seven wickets to win the World Cup. This was an upset for the ages as Sri Lanka had become a Test-playing nation only 15 years before.
Arjuna Ranatunga’s team became the first side to win the trophy by chasing. It was the stuff of dreams for Sri Lanka as the island nation rejoiced in their most famous sporting achievement.
10. 2015 New Zealand v South Africa
With five needed off two balls, Grant Elliott (84 not out) finished the innings of his life to carry NZ over his country of birth – South Africa – to ensure a finals berth with an extraordinary four-wicket win in a rain-interrupted game.
The Kiwis erupted in joy but for AB de Villiers’s men, it was so close that their tears flowed freely.
