By CricketCrowd Staff Reporter | London | 28 July 2019

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 last man Allan Donald stood rooted at the other end before belatedly setting off. The run out 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.

But on a remarkable day at Lord's, the Indian bowlers shocked the world champion West Indians with a devastating bowling display.

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 were 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 in spectacular fashion 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

In a dream match up, Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni led the charge as India won the final by defeating Sri Lanka by six wickets.

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.

Earlier, Trent Boult took a career-best five for 27 as Australia were dismissed for just 151 all out before New Zealand struggled to reach their victory target despite skipper Brendon McCullum's 24-ball 50.

 

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 favourites Australia by seven wickets to win the World Cup. This was an upset for the ages as Sri Lanka had became 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.

 

11.1987 Australia v England

The 1987 World Cup was lifted by Allan Border captain of Australia who won against archrivals England by 7 runs in the most closely fought World Cup final to date.

England were marching onto victory when in a moment of madness captain Mike Gatting decided to employ a high risk reverse sweep against the leftarm spin of his opposite number – Allan Border. England then collapsed from a position of strength with the fall of this wicket and handed an unexpected win to the Aussies.

 

12. 2011 India v England

An epic 158 from Andrew Strauss saw England tie an extraordinary World Cup group B match against India.

The co-hosts set an intimidating 339-run victory target after a superb 120 from Sachin Tendulkar.

 

13. 1975 West Indies vs Pakistan

Derrick Murray and Andy Roberts put on an unbelievable last wicket stand to take the Windies to a miracle win over Pakistan.

Mushtaq Mohammad made a watchful half-century, Wasim Raja made a fifty too, and Majid top-scored with 60 as Pakistan posted 260.

The West Indies were staring defeat at 203-9, when Murray and Roberts came together to conjour a victory in the last over with a 64 run stand.

 

14. 1979 England vs New Zealand

In a tantalisingly close finish New Zealand fell just 9 runs short of making the final as they went down to England.

Graham Gooch (71) and Mike Brearley (53) gave a splendid start but it was left to Derek Randall 42 to get them upto 221-8 in 60 overs. Only John Wright 69 offered stern resistance as the Kiwi's lost regular wickets to end up just short in a thriling finish.

15. 2019 England v New Zealand

In a game already labelled as the greatest ever One Day match, England beat New Zealand to win the World Cup after the dramatic final was tied twice.

Both teams scored 241 in their 50 overs and were level on 15 when they batted for an extra over apiece. It meant England were crowned world champions by virtue of having scored more boundary fours and sixes in the entire match.

This was the first tie in a World Cup final.

Related content: World Cup Major Events (1975-now)

Share with

What are these?

Copy URL

Embed this page

Feedback