Best ever matches in World Cup history

[Harsh Thakor]

This is my list of the 16 best matches ever staged in the world cup in order of merit.It assesses the intensity,quality of cricket and impact.Apologize to readers if I have left out some classics.

1.South Africa -Australia 1999 at Edgbaston
A game which ended in a tie where the ebb and flow had the impact of a great Hollywood thriller with continuous twists and turns and an enthralling unexpected climax.In a run chase of 213 South Africa was cruising before Shane Warne's devastating bursts.It recovered to come within touching distance of famous win and looked like coasting home till the fall of Kallis.Perhaps Kluesener was called too late who launched some death -defying blows in the last overs to tie the score.Temperament cost the Proteas a famous win with Alan Donald infamously run out with the scores level.The Aussie mental strength won the day.


2.England-India 2011
Chasing a target of 338 runs to win England were cruising home with Kevin Pieterson and Ian Bell in full flow .Needing less than 8 runs per over with 7 wickets remaining it looked like a walk in the park.However a late flurry of wickets by Zaheer Khan brought India back who escaped with a tie.



3.India -Australia 1987 at Madras
Had a dramatic twist to the tale like famous epic.India looked home and dry needing less than a run a ball with less than 100 runs to win.However the mental resilience of Australia prevailed on the day who rose up like a phoenix from the Ashes.They persistently deployed a line of attack with utmost organization of strategy.In a famous last over Steve Waugh bowled Maninder Singh to seal victory.I have never seen a team give a better lesson in defending a run chase when the opponents are coasting home .The wickets of star Indian batsmen like Vengsarkar or Kapil Dev were dug out.It depicted the importance of winning games in the mind.




4.West Indies-Pakistan 1987 at Lahore
Chasing 218 to win Pakistan collapsed to 69-5 before a recovery stand by Salim Yousuf and Imran Khan brought them 37 runs abreast their target.However the Calypsos came back to put Pakistan at a precarious 203 -9 when the last over began.With the heart of a lion Abdul Qadir hit a six and a four and off the final ball Courtney Walsh gave a repreive to Salim Jaffer by warning him .Qadir scored the final 2 runs required for victory as though the spirits posessed him.




5.West Indies -Pakistan at Edgbaston in 1975

Pakistan posted a highly competitive score of 266 runs.A brilliant spell by Sarafraz Nawaz penetrated through the West Indian top order who collapsed to 36-3.Although coming back at 153-5 they went on to look dead and buried at 166-8 and then 203-9.Then a classic last wicket partnership by Andy Roberts and Deryk Muray steered West Indies home to victory with 2 balls to spare.It was one of cricket's great set Houdini escapes which in many ways defined the destiny of West Indian cricket.Few games better revealed the fighting do-or-die spirit of West Indies who ressurected themselves from the grave.





6.South Africa -Sri Lanka 2007 in West Indies.

An amazing burst by Malinga almost ressurected the Lankans from the grave when South Africa's target looked like a walk in the park.Few games better depicted that the fate of a cricket match is decided only on the last ball.





7.England-Australia semi final in 1975 at Leeds

A classic exhibition of seam bowling by Gary Gilmour cut the ice through the English batting which palpitated to a score of amaegre 93.Then a sensational burts by John Snow,Tony Greg and Arnold sent Australia reeling at 39-6.Gary Gilmour defying all odds steered them home to a 4 wicket win.





8.West Indies-Australia 1975 final
West Indies posted a staggering total of 292 runs with Clive Lloyd executing one of cricket's classics scoring 102 of 82 balls.Chasing the target Australia had an even chance before 3 spectacular run outs by Viv Richards of Ross Edwards and the Chappell brothers.At 233 it looked allover bar the shouting but last pair Lillee and Thomson did not call the shots.Ina spectacular last wicket 41 runs stand they tok their taem within sight of an upset win.With 8 balls to go Thosmon was run out and classic of cricket ended.Few games elevated the spirit of the game more.



9.England-Pakistan at Leeds in 1979
England collapsed to 118-8 before coming back in typically overcast Headingley conditions to reach 165-9.At 44-6 it looked like Pakistanis doomsday with Mike Hendrick ripping apart the Pakistani top order.A late order fight back brought Pakistan to 115-8 and then 145-9 .Ultimately Pakistan felt 14 runs a drift.One of the best ever hard-fought low scoring games.




10.1979 semi final between England and New Zealand.
Chasing 221 to win the Kiwis needed 69 of the last 10 and 26 of the last 3.However they put off the shutters at 212-9 with England's all-round experience prevailing towards the end.




11.South Africa -West Indies 2003
Chasing target of over 270 South Africa looked down and out till late onslaught by Lance Kluesener that brought them within a doorstep of a spectacular win.One of Brian Lara's most memorable innings in one day cricket was witnessed.





12.England-Australia 1987 Reliance cup final
Chasing 253 to win England looked on coarse till Mike Gatting fell to reverse sweep to be caught by Border.The extremely disciplined outcricket by Australia and organization of strategy took he game further and further from England till a late batting spree by Phillipi Defreitas who almost turned the game scoring 14 run sin the 3rd last over with 35 runs still to get.However the Aussie nerves prevailed.



13.India -West Indies 1983 final
Chasing a mere 184 to win West Indies were bundled out for a paltry 140.At 57-2 with Viv Richards in full flow the West Indies looked like coasting home before India spectacularly ressurected themselves from the grave to bring their opponents to 74-6.A spectacular catch of Viv Richards by Kapil Dev turned the tide of the game.The Indians at that time looked as though the spirits posessed them.Rarely has cricket seen such spirit radiated or elevated as by India.Mohinder Amarnath did the finishing job with excellent control.I have never seen Madan Lal unleash such life on the cricket field.
Never in cricket has David better countered Goliath



14.England-West Indies at Gujranwala in 1987
Chasing 239 to win England need 91 of the last 10 overs with 4 wickets in hand.Alan Lamb came to the party in executing one of the World cup's best knocks in a run chase with the highest degree of clinical and innovative strokeplay.With 13 required of the last over of Walsh Lamb timed three boundaries to perfection to get England over the line.



15.Pakistan-New Zealand semi-final in 1992
Inzama Ul Haq turned a game 180 degress when the Kiwis almost had the game in the bag.With Javed Miandad Inzy took Pakistan to within touching distance of the victory target before Miandad eventually steered the side home with Moin Khan.One of the game's best battles.


16.1996 semi final between West Indies and Australia at Chandigarh
West Indies won the game for 90% of the match till a sensational collapse with 43 stil required and 8 wickets left.In the end Fleming bolwed Walsh with the Calyspos just 4 runs adrift of qualifying for the finals.Error of Richie Richardson not to carry the game on his shoulders in the last over possibly cost West Indies the game.It was one of Australia's great escapes.

 

[Junaids]

Number 7 is the only serious candidate - the England v Australia semi-final in 1975.

It was quite simply the greatest ODI ever.

I would like to nominate the Australia v South Africa match in 1999, but I simply cannot when you re-live the bizarre runout in the context of what was later exposed as matchfixing by Hansie Cronje. Put the two together, and you simply have to rule out that match.

My nomination for the greatest ever World Cup matches?

1. England v Australia 1975
2. Australia v Zimbabwe 1983
3. Zimbabwe v England 1992 (Zimbabwe successfully defended 134!)

 

[Junaids]

Here is the amazing 1992 match between England and Zimbabwe.

 

[Junaids]

With respect to that legendary 1992 match, we must never forget that we were watching rare scenes of Eddo Brandes as an international cricketer - although 5 years later he took a hat-trick against England.

But the stark reality is that he was a better fast bowler than Bangladesh, India or Sri Lanka have ever produced in their entire histories!

 

[NZcricketfan]

First match of the 92 world cup where we defeated Australia. Don't think there has ever been a game which made nz fans believe in their team than that game.

 

[Junaids]

One last Eddo Brandes comment. I'd recommend anyone to go to YouTube and look up "10 Funny Cricket Sledges".

The great man figures prominently there with Glenn McGrath.

 

[Junaids]

First match of the 92 world cup where we defeated Australia. Don't think there has ever been a game which made nz fans believe in their team than that game.

The runouts of Dean Jones and Boonie! I remember it as vividly as if it was yesterday!

 

[Kianig89]

Ridiculous running with 2 balls to go #myvote

 

[Chokli]

Number 7 is the only serious candidate - the England v Australia semi-final in 1975.

It was quite simply the greatest ODI ever.

I would like to nominate the Australia v South Africa match in 1999, but I simply cannot when you re-live the bizarre runout in the context of what was later exposed as matchfixing by Hansie Cronje. Put the two together, and you simply have to rule out that match.

seriously?

 

[MMHS]

One game is missing from my memory is 1979 SF between WIN - PAK; probably the best 2 teams fought in the SF. Also, there is another great game between those 2 teams in 1975, which eventually was a QF - WIN’s last pair put 63 (last 2 wickets put 101 from 166/8) to snatch a penultimate ball win and advanced to SF, then to win the cup. A win for PAK could have taken them to SF later.

 

[j_kazmi]

New Zealand vs South Africa in the 2015 semi final has to be on the list now.

What a great match that was. The match was in the balance till the end.

 

[Junaids]

One game is missing from my memory is 1979 SF between WIN - PAK; probably the best 2 teams fought in the SF. Also, there is another great game between those 2 teams in 1975, which eventually was a QF - WIN’s last pair put 63 (last 2 wickets put 101 from 166/8) to snatch a penultimate ball win and advanced to SF, then to win the cup. A win for PAK could have taken them to SF later.

To be honest, from 1979-1989 Pakistan and the West Indies were the world's two best teams full-stop. The only mini-era when Pakistan fell short was 1983-84 when Imran Khan had his shin splints and Sarfraz was past-it, but Wasim Akram was still a year away.

I found it quite comical to look up the retrospective World Test Championship rankings for pre-2003. Somehow they kept NOT having the West Indies as World Number 1 for long periods 1976-1995, which is preposterous, but they were also by far the world's best ODI team too from 1975 to 1991.

 

[Junaids]

One game is missing from my memory is 1979 SF between WIN - PAK; probably the best 2 teams fought in the SF. Also, there is another great game between those 2 teams in 1975, which eventually was a QF - WIN’s last pair put 63 (last 2 wickets put 101 from 166/8) to snatch a penultimate ball win and advanced to SF, then to win the cup. A win for PAK could have taken them to SF later.

The problem in 1979 was that Australia and England refused to pick their Kerry Packer players, even though they had secretly agreed to all his demands.

It meant that England and Australia were massively under strength.

That West Indies v Pakistan Semi-Final was an absolute cracker! I remember it was on a school day, and I spent much of the day listening to Test Match Special on Radio 3 in England.

One Day Internationals had been played for 8 years, and the first World Cup had been 4 years earlier.

But the 1975 World Cup Final was the 33rd ODI in history and the 1979 World Cup's first match was only the 61st ODI in history!

Each ODI was an event as big as a Test match in those days, and they were 60 overs matches (45 x 8 ball overs in Australia) with a red ball and slips and grass on the pitch.

The England v New Zealand World Cup semi-final was played at the same time as the West Indies v Pakistan one in 1979, and England's 221-8 in 60 overs (RR 3.68) was enough to defeat New Zealand, who finished on 212-9.

But that was a boring match, because it was basically John Wright, Glenn Turner and Richard Hadlee versus Ian Botham, Geoff Boycott and Graham Gooch.

The West Indies scored a colossal 293-6 in their 60 overs which was a gigantic score, equivalent to 350 in a 50 overs ODI now. Imran Khan was terrific, but Sarfraz Nawaz got tonked all over the place by Collis King and Clive Lloyd. (In 2019, Collis King would be the world's most valuable T20 player, by a million miles.)

But Pakistan had a superb side, and I remember TMS kept going from England's semi-final at Old Trafford to Pakistan's one at The Oval for score updates. I was waiting for my sister to get off the school bus on the outskirts of Manchester when Pakistan was 176-1, with Zaheer Abbas not out on 93, and Imran's cousin Majid Khan - a real hero of mine - 75 not out, having only conceded 26 runs in his 12 overs.

And then Colin Croft produced an astonishing spell of 3-6, taking out Zaheer Abbas, Majid Khan and then Javed Miandad off the very next ball.

Suddenly 176-1 had become 187-4. And there was no Wasim Raja, which was a serious error because Rameez's brother was brilliant against the West Indian quicks. Haroon Rashid occupied his place, and scored just 15.

 

[MMHS]

The problem in 1979 was that Australia and England refused to pick their Kerry Packer players, even though they had secretly agreed to all his demands.

It meant that England and Australia were massively under strength.

That West Indies v Pakistan Semi-Final was an absolute cracker! I remember it was on a school day, and I spent much of the day listening to Test Match Special on Radio 3 in England.

One Day Internationals had been played for 8 years, and the first World Cup had been 4 years earlier.

But the 1975 World Cup Final was the 33rd ODI in history and the 1979 World Cup's first match was only the 61st ODI in history!

Each ODI was an event as big as a Test match in those days, and they were 60 overs matches (45 x 8 ball overs in Australia) with a red ball and slips and grass on the pitch.

The England v New Zealand World Cup semi-final was played at the same time as the West Indies v Pakistan one in 1979, and England's 221-8 in 60 overs (RR 3.68) was enough to defeat New Zealand, who finished on 212-9.

But that was a boring match, because it was basically John Wright, Glenn Turner and Richard Hadlee versus Ian Botham, Geoff Boycott and Graham Gooch.

The West Indies scored a colossal 293-6 in their 60 overs which was a gigantic score, equivalent to 350 in a 50 overs ODI now. Imran Khan was terrific, but Sarfraz Nawaz got tonked all over the place by Collis King and Clive Lloyd. (In 2019, Collis King would be the world's most valuable T20 player, by a million miles.)

But Pakistan had a superb side, and I remember TMS kept going from England's semi-final at Old Trafford to Pakistan's one at The Oval for score updates. I was waiting for my sister to get off the school bus on the outskirts of Manchester when Pakistan was 176-1, with Zaheer Abbas not out on 93, and Imran's cousin Majid Khan - a real hero of mine - 75 not out, having only conceded 26 runs in his 12 overs.

And then Colin Croft produced an astonishing spell of 3-6, taking out Zaheer Abbas, Majid Khan and then Javed Miandad off the very next ball.

Suddenly 176-1 had become 187-4. And there was no Wasim Raja, which was a serious error because Rameez's brother was brilliant against the West Indian quicks. Haroon Rashid occupied his place, and scored just 15.

That 80 by Kings in Final actually tells what a player he could have been in modern era. He came to wicket st 99-4 with Viv in 47, and he reached 50, keeping Viv at 49!!!! Viv later on went to play the greatest WC innngs ever, but it was Kings who took the game away from England. I think, Collis Kinfs could bowl fast medium as well; but he was completely lost from the game in couple of years time - is that for rebel SAF tour?

 

[last_knight]

Ind-Zimb "99 was a good match where a team dominating for 94 overs lost in 95th.

 

[pratiktc]

Series of England matches in 2011 WC were very good
Vs Ind high scoring tie
Vs Ireland high scoring upset chase
Vs SA low scoring defense

 

[Tyler Durden]

All the India-Pakistan encounters! The kind of thrashing India gave this depleted low-ranked team in all the world cup matches is truly an incredible fun to watch! Can't wait to thrash them again in 2019! Bring it on!

 

[ManFan]

AUS vs NZ in 2015.

 

[Ab Fan]

99 semis and 15 semis, both involving SA were two of the greatest matches in the World Cup. Then there was Mohali, 2011 as well.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

99 semi aus vs sa
92 final pak vs eng
92 semi pak vs nz
15 nz vs aus
11 sa vs india
15 sa vs nz
99 pak vs aus(not the final obviously)
87 final eng vs aus
too many memorable matches.

07 was probably the most boring wc in history. too long, weird time zones, no competition between the teams, too many one sided games. even that sl vs sa game only got interesting in the last few overs.
wi vs eng was actually a lot mroe interesting but then both teams were out of the semis and were just playing to finish their campaign on a winning note. and Lara's farewell was spoiled.

 

[Napa]

1983 WC final was the best. It was a watershed moment which marked the end of WI supremacy and the rise of a new power. Watching Dev, Lal, Amarnath, Binny and Sandhu tame the reigning double champions WI batsmen led by Richards was simply unforgettable.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Australia recovering from 15/4 against West Indies and going on to win that match. Sheer mental strength they showed was tremendous. They lost waugh bros, Punter and Taylor. Law/Bevan partnership carried them to a below par but much better total of 207. In response West Indies was cruising at 165/2. Then they imploded thanks to Warne and ended up losing 8 wickets for 37 runs.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/...vs-west-indies-2nd-sf-wills-world-cup-1995-96

 

[jnaveen1980]

Going to throw some odd ball matches where AUstralia was showing their indomitable spirit

India lost to Australia by 1 run in two matches

one in 1987 world cup where India was cruising at 203/2 and collapsed to 269 all out

In 1992 world cup India was going great guns with Azharuddin and Manjreakar. WIth 40 runs to get in 8 overs with 6 wickets in hand, both Azhar and Manjrekar were run out. Lost by 1 run.


In 2003 world cup against Pakistan Australia was precariously first placed at 52/3 and later 146/5. Australia ended up with 310/9. After 5th wicket they added 164 runs out of which 109 runs were scored by Andrew Symonds.

In 2003 world cup against England chasing a meagre total Australia was reeling at 135/8. Bichel suddenly decided to show his batting prowess. He and Bevan added 60 odd runs for 9th wicket to win the match.

 

[jnaveen1980]

If you wonder AUstralia effortlessly gets to final time and again and wins it more often than not while teams like south africa could never get to final it is because their far far superior mental strength. Somebody, some soul, someone puts their hand up.

 

[Hasan123]

South Africa vs New Zealand was a great match in 2015.

 

[big_gamer007]

1999 SA vs Australia was the greatest WC match ever.

No other match even comes close to it if you look at the context and what it achieved.

 

[Robert]

1983 World Cup Final. The ultimate upset.

 

[Destroyer88]

1. Pak vs australia, 1999 group game

2. Pak vs newzealand, 1992 semi final. Inzi's finest display of brute and power

3. Pak vs england, 1992 final. Inzi part 2. The cornered tigers win the worldcup

 

[Stalin]

As an Indian, I'd say
1. 2011 WC final.
2. 2011 WC semifinal
3.2011 WC quarter final
4. 1983 WC final

 

[rhony]

1. AUS vs SA in 99 (SF)
2. AUS vs NZ in 2015 (league game)

 

[a_tahir]

All the India-Pakistan encounters! The kind of thrashing India gave this depleted low-ranked team in all the world cup matches is truly an incredible fun to watch! Can't wait to thrash them again in 2019! Bring it on!

It is just a matter of time when this overconfidence will take u down.
CWC19 may just be the occassion.

 

[Chokli]

It is just a matter of time when this overconfidence will take u down.
CWC19 may just be the occassion.

i think the best way to take revenge for 1992, 1996, 2003, 2011, 2015, 2019 group game will be to defeat them in the finals of the 2019 world cup

 

[JattMaula]

i think the best way to take revenge for 1992, 1996, 2003, 2011, 2015, 2019 group game will be to defeat them in the finals of the 2019 world cup

Revenge is complete. CT17 final did that.

 

[Bhaijaan]

1. Australia vs South Africa, Semi Final, World Cup 1999

It's amazing because those two nations also played the otherwise greatest ever ODI i.e,. the world record chase.

Anyway the semi final takes it by a logn mile imo. The stage, the quality of teams, the moment, the twists and the absolute shocker of a finish. This match had everything.



2. Australia vs NZ, Group Match, World Cup 2015

What a cracker of a game and a mad finish once again.


No doubt most of the greatest world cup matches include Australia. They have been the fiercest competitors in these tournaments. Even in defeats they fought till the last and almost clawed their way back in the game. What a great cricketing nation.

 

[JaDed]

1996 WC semifinal Aus vs WI ,man that was an upset according to me!

1983 for obvious reasons and the most shocking result for many but India did defeat Windies in the group.match as well.

 

[JaDed]

It is just a matter of time when this overconfidence will take u down.
CWC19 may just be the occassion.

No Sachin and high on CT 17 ,WC 19 should be the biggest opportunity to defeat India once and for all!

 

[Chokli]

Revenge is complete. CT17 final did that.

that was just appetizer

 

[Junaids]

That 80 by Kings in Final actually tells what a player he could have been in modern era. He came to wicket st 99-4 with Viv in 47, and he reached 50, keeping Viv at 49!!!! Viv later on went to play the greatest WC innngs ever, but it was Kings who took the game away from England. I think, Collis Kinfs could bowl fast medium as well; but he was completely lost from the game in couple of years time - is that for rebel SAF tour?

Collis King was a bit like a Martin Guptill: amazing limited overs player but suspect with a slip cordon in place.

In those days Test cricket was king, and while Viv Richards and Clive Lloyd were constants, there was also Alvin Kallicharran and Larry Gomes with Richie Richardson emerging. They actually had to convert Jeff Dujon back into a wicketkeeper to get him in the Eleven!