Greatest World Cups
For it’s sheer aesthetic value very few world cups could surpass the
1975 Prudential World cup.
When scoring 78 of a mere 35 balls against Australia, Alvin Kalicharan transcended regions of domination untouched before.
In the final Clive Lloyds 102 ranked amongst the most spectacular all round strokeplay ever witnessed on a cricket field.
West Indies by the skin of the teeth, defeated Pakistan by a slender margin of 1 wicket, when the last wicket pair of Andy Roberts and Deryk Murray ,ressurected the Calypsos from the grave, to reach the pinnacle of glory.
In the semi-final at Leeds between England and Australia, in of dramatic twists and turns Australia ressurected themselves from 39-6,to reach the target of 93.
The final between West Indies and Australia, manifested cricketing glory at heights rarely transcended, with West Indies prevailing over Australia by slender margin of 17 runs, with an enthralling 41 run last wicket between Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson. On paper, there was hardly anything separating West Indies, Australia, Pakistan and England.
Arguably, Pakistan was the unluckiest loser in the inaugural world cup, who had virtually sealed a win against the eventual champions, West Indies at Edgbaston, when placed in apposition when a team would won 99 times out of 100.It possessed the strongest batting line up of all sides.
For sheer competiivity or openness, the
1987 Reliance World cup played in India and Pakistan, ranks at the top. England had won 4 one day tournaments in Australia in Sharjah and at home conquering West Indies, England and Pakistan, India and Pakistan the most talented and balanced and West Indies still morally the best ODI side.
Australia caused dramatic upset in the semi-final against Pakistan at Lahore to turn the tables, and go on to beat England in the final.
That edition had a dramatic one wicket win of Pakistan over West Indies scoring 14 in the last over, England beating West Indies by 3 wickets with Alan Lamb scoring 13 of the last over, and Australia snatching a dramatic 1 run victory at Madras , after the Indian middle order sensationally collapsed, which once looked like a walk in the park with victory being a formality for India.
Like India in 1983, Australia did what the doctor ordered to stick to their basic task. After India and Pakistan were firmly entrenched as favourites, displaying an aura of invincibility, England and Australia toppled them in the semi-finals.
In terms of a spectacular resurrection or Houdini act none could equal Pakistan in
1992 Benson and Hedges World cup world cup in Australia and New Zealand, who recovered like a phoenix from the Ashes. Inzamam Ul Haq’s 60 in the semi-final against New Zealand, was amongst the finest ever innings in an ODI run chase, while Wasim Akram in the final with blistering 33 and in capturing 2 wickets of successive deliveries, amongst the finest ever in cricket, to send the stumps of Alan Lamb and Chris Lewis shattering, took allround cricketing prowess, to heights rarely scaled. I can also never forget the spectacular contests between South Africa and England in the league game and semi-final, takingc cricketing intensity to its peak.
For sheer sporting sensation or upset none could rank with India’s win in 1983, 33-1 outsiders. India ressurected from the grave at 17-5 against Zimbabwe, to carry of spectacular wins against Australia, England and West Indies in the final.Kapil Dev’s swashbuckling 175 not out, was arguably the most defining world cup innings ever, turning the entire complexion of the tournament. For sheer virtuosity it transcended regions unscaled.
In the qualifying league game against Australia and semi final against England India were as clinical focused and spirited as the greatest of sides, in very department of the game. Seam bowlers like Roger Binny and Madan Lal brilliantly exploited the conditions while the batsmen did exactly what the doctor ordered.
In the final, defending a mere 183, India pulled of a near miracle. West Indies were cruising before Viv Richards was spectacularly caught by Kapil Dev at long on, after which the West Indies middle order fell in total disarray, tottering at 66-5 and then 75-6.The scene was reminiscent of a 360 degree turn in plot of an epic or a Tsunami intervening from nowhere. It was left to Mohinder Amarnath,to clean up the tail, and perform the final rites.
In displaying sheer supremacy or invincibility no side could rival West Indies in
1979 Prudential world cup and Australia in
2003 and
2007 world cups. Both teams literally rolled over the opposition, in the manner of bulldozers, manifesting the aura of an invincible emperor.
Pakistan gave West Indies a fright in 1979 when chasing 293 in the semi-final and at one stage being 176-1, just as England and New Zealand did in the 2003 edition to Australia. In 2007 only Sri Lanka stretched Australia, in the final, who ranked amongst the strongest sides in world cup history.
The most defining factors were included the humiliation Viv Richards and Collis King caused in the 1979 final, Adam Gilchrist in the 2007 final against Sri Lanka when scoring an unbeaten 149,Mathew Hayden when scoring 172 against South Africa in 2007,Joel Garner’s blistering spell of 5-38 in the 1979 final,Andrew Symonds volatile 109 v Pakistan in 2003 etc.Most defining stars for West Indies were Viv Richards,Clive Lloyd ,Joel Garner,Andy Roberts and Gordon Greenidge while for Australia were Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne, Steve Waugh ,Adam Gilchrist,Matthew Hayden ,Michael Bevan,Glen Mcgrath .
Australia demonstrated -Invincibility in unprecedented depths. Simply rolled over opposition, with the clinical organisation of a surgeon and impact or power of a bulldozer. No team ever had more match-winners or cricketers of such explosive power.
West Indies had the most lethal pace attack ever and best ever ODI batsmen .I rate it a whisker below Australia as it did not equal Australian professionalism or temperament.
In terms of sheer team class or strength of teams, I put
1999 ICCworld cup at the top. The World cup, in my opinion, has never witnessed 3 teams so skilled or balanced. South Africa had the strongest batting depth, best fielding and greatest abundance of allrounders,Pakistan had the best bowling attack and match-winners, while Australia had the highest degree of professionalism.
In my view no team was ever as unlucky not to the world cup title as South Africa in 1999,who almost did everything right before capitulating in the final league match and semi-final, with the latter one being tied. In my view, possibly in team strength Pakistan and South Africa were on par with great West Indies and Australian world cup teams.
Steve Waugh’s match-winning unbeaten 120 at Leeds against Australia, was one of ODI cricket’s most clinical or surgical exhibitions.
Few batsmen were ever as dazzling towards the end of an innings as Lance Kluesener,in this edition, who put the perfect icing on cake to give a flourishing finish.
In affirming the new trend in a home team having a distinct advantage in a world cup, the
2011 edition, when India triumphed was a landmark .India peaked just at the right time, playing in a most organised or clinical manner, to ward of Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Morally, perhaps Sri Lanka was even stronger than India, who gave some dazzling performances to reach the final.
For sheer ebb and flow the
2019 cup stood out, even if favourites England clinched the title. England looked down and out after deafest at the hands of Pakistan and Sri Lanka, before spectacularly resurrecting themselves against India. New Zealand won many hard fought tussles, managing to stave of the opposition by the skin of their teeth, with West Indies being the best example. In the semi-final the Kiwis caused a dramatic turnabout against India. In the final, chasing 241 runs, England faltered in the first part of the chase, losing 4 wickets before Ben Stokes and Joss Butler did a repair job to take their side to the brink of famous win. Sheer luck enabled England to draw level, with Stokes getting runs from accidentally hiiting the bat.In the end, England triumphed in a super over.
