Which was the best overall World Cup according to you?

[Dulex9]

We've had 12 world cup's so far.

2019 wc: the final was the greatest odi of all time. Semi final between NZ vs Ind was very entertaining.

2015 wc: I believe was the most unsatisfying with a multitude of high scoring games with Pak vs Aus, Pak vs SA, NZ VS SA SF being the games of the tournament.

2011 wc: final, semi finals, Ind vs Eng group game.

2007 wc: India and Pakistan got out early. Bangladesh and Ireland surprised many. Australia went on a rampage. Sri L vs Eng, Sri L vs SA were two good games.

2003 wc: The first game, Ind vs Pak, Aus vs Eng. Sri L vs SA.

1999 wc: Aus vs SA wc sf, Aus vs SA super six, Ind vs Pak super six.

1996 wc: Both semi finals were good games. Aus vs NZ QF, Ind vs Pak QF, SA vs WI QF, Ind vs AUS group game.

1992 wc: round robin group stage of 9 teams. Aus vs Ind, Ind vs Eng, Pak vs Aus, WI vs Aus, Pak vs NZ sf, Zim vs Sri L, some 30 over games such as SA vs Pak, Ind vs Zim. The final lived up to the event.

1987 wc: Both the semi finals and finals were thrilling games. Pak vs WI, Aus vs Ind, NZ vs Zim, Viv Richards 186.

1983 wc: India's surprise and final.

1979 wc:

1975 wc: The final were WI went down for 50 odd for 3 and Australia looked like to be getting close

 

[Dulex9]

The 1992 cricket world cup for me. 9 teams in one group, coloured clothes, day night matches. Must have been an absolute joy to watch for cricket viewers around the world. Even if you were bottom of the table, having played half of your games you still had a chance.

 

[Junaids]

Easy!

1975 by a million miles. It’s not even close!

The England v Australia semi-Final is still the greatest ODI ever played.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

I only started watching in WC '11. I enjoyed 2011 the most, followed by 2019. 2015 was the worst.

 

[Markhor]

2019. Hard to think of any other tournament with so many classics in a short space of time.

 

[BoomBoomCricket]

2019 was a beauty.

In England after 20 years.
A round robin after 27 years.
And the bloody Aussies not getting to the final!
Some great drama in the knockout games.

 

[BoomBoomCricket]

2019 raised the profile of cricket in countries like England and New Zealand in a way never seen before.

 

[Bhaijaan]

1996 world cup is the greatest world cup ever played.

Please feel free to try to change my mind.

 

[Ab Fan]

2019 and before that probably 1999.

 

[Dulex9]

1996 world cup is the greatest world cup ever played.

Please feel free to try to change my mind.

Why 1996? The qf's and sf's lived up the excitement of the world cup.

 

[Rajdeep]

Easy!

1975 by a million miles. It’s not even close!

The England v Australia semi-Final is still the greatest ODI ever played.

Just checked the scorecard.

Eng got all out for 93 and Aust chased it down with 4 wickets and 188 balls remaining.

How is that the greatest ODI ever played? )

Are you saying it was better than Aust-SA semi final of 99?

Or the 2019 world cup final?

Or even the Eng-Aust game in 2003 wc?

 

[Junaids]

Just checked the scorecard.

Eng got all out for 93 and Aust chased it down with 4 wickets and 188 balls remaining.

How is that the greatest ODI ever played? )

Are you saying it was better than Aust-SA semi final of 99?

Or the 2019 world cup final?

Or even the Eng-Aust game in 2003 wc?

Absolutely!

It was Test quality cricket - and Australia almost didn’t chase down the target of 93.

Gary Gilmour’s performance that day remains the greatest of all-time in a limited overs game.

The 2019 Final was incredibly close, but the quality of the cricket was rubbish. The 75 semi was just astonishing!

 

[Dulex9]

Checked the 75 SF final too, at one stage AUS were 39-6 in trouble of not chasing down that target.

 

[Junaids]

Just checked the scorecard.

Eng got all out for 93 and Aust chased it down with 4 wickets and 188 balls remaining.

How is that the greatest ODI ever played? )

Are you saying it was better than Aust-SA semi final of 99?

Or the 2019 world cup final?

Or even the Eng-Aust game in 2003 wc?

Checked the 75 SF final too, at one stage AUS were 39-6 in trouble of not chasing down that target.

Exactly!

England 93 all out (Gilmour 6-16)
Australia collapse to 39-6, then Gilmour scores 28 not out as the last recognised batsman to get them home!

And the Final was a thriller too. In which Gilmour took 5-40!

Imagine that: in a World Cup Semi and a Final a bowler has combined figures of 11-56!

 

[Robert]

Either 1983 or 1996, as the overwhelming favourite was defeated in the final both times.

I would prefer 1983 as Zimbabwe effectively put Australia out, and were one wicket away from skittling India before Kapil went beserk with 175*.

 

[Robert]

2019 raised the profile of cricket in countries like England and New Zealand in a way never seen before.

Not in England. I doubt most people even noticed there was a World Cup on, let alone that we won it. I was in a beachfront pub where the Final was on the big telly. Nobody watched.

 

[Rajdeep]

Either 1983 or 1996, as the overwhelming favourite was defeated in the final both times.

I would prefer 1983 as Zimbabwe effectively put Australia out, and were one wicket away from skittling India before Kapil went beserk with 175*.

I think SL started the 96 WC final as favorites or atleast even stevens. The way Jayasuriya was going and the way they thrashed both Eng & Ind in Quarter and Semi finals respectively, they started favorite on finals IMO.

 

[Rana]

Has to be 2011. They semi final was by far the Mayweather v pacquiao of cricket matches. There were some iconic moments besides this as well.

For instance the Ross Taylor 100 v Pakistan. Australia losing for the first time since 1999 in a World Cup match. Kevin O Brian sinking England.

 

[hafeezrocks]

Not in England. I doubt most people even noticed there was a World Cup on, let alone that we won it. I was in a beachfront pub where the Final was on the big telly. Nobody watched.

A peak audience of 8 Million people in England were watching the match during the start of the Super Over. Is that what you call nobody watched?

 

[hitthestump]

Hard to top 2019 so far. The group stages remained interesting until the very end and THAT final seals it.

 

[hitthestump]

Not in England. I doubt most people even noticed there was a World Cup on, let alone that we won it. I was in a beachfront pub where the Final was on the big telly. Nobody watched.

Cricket is a very polarising sport here indeed. Some surprise when a few of my non-cricket friends became aware that England were in the final, but there was absolutely no interest prior to that.

 

[Junaids]

A peak audience of 8 Million people in England were watching the match during the start of the Super Over. Is that what you call nobody watched?

Eight million in England is still nothing. If terrestrial TV still broadcast Championship (EFL) football they would get bigger ratings.

The problem is this. The ECB in 2005 took the money for cricket to be hidden on satellite TV, and now only the "middle class" follows cricket - and even then it's mainly people who attended private schools.

I went to the World Cup semis at Old Trafford and Edgbaston last year and the demographics of cricket in England are just horrible now. It's basically ethnic minorities and former private school boys, and nobody else. The working class base of cricket in Lancashire and Yorkshire and even the Midlands has now gone over to football lock, stock and barrel.

 

[Kroll]

From Pakistan perspective, all the ones in the 90's were great or good at least. I'd probably go with 99 because of the incredible support Pakistan had and reaching the final. I still recall Moin Khan and his onslaught against the Aussies in one of the earlier rounds and the fans going crazy which I think was at Headingley.

Can't condone the mass pitch invasions but that was madcap stuff. Pakistan fans were true pioneers of following the game with their colour, noise and enthusiasm before Indian fans copied us and now fill out the majority of stadiums.

 

[Bigboii]

2019, also Pak was very close and if they had won just 1 more game I am 99% we would have been the current champions (as long as we didn't meet india - cause we are mental Midget)

 

[Kroll]

2019, also Pak was very close and if they had won just 1 more game I am 99% we would have been the current champions (as long as we didn't meet india - cause we are mental Midget)

Imagine losing to WI, that too really badly . Only Pak could lose to WI and still beat both finalists, Eng and NZ in the same tournament.

 

[ManFan]

The 2019 Final was the greatest ODI game of all time.

 

[hafeezrocks]

Eight million in England is still nothing. If terrestrial TV still broadcast Championship (EFL) football they would get bigger ratings.

The problem is this. The ECB in 2005 took the money for cricket to be hidden on satellite TV, and now only the "middle class" follows cricket - and even then it's mainly people who attended private schools.

I went to the World Cup semis at Old Trafford and Edgbaston last year and the demographics of cricket in England are just horrible now. It's basically ethnic minorities and former private school boys, and nobody else. The working class base of cricket in Lancashire and Yorkshire and even the Midlands has now gone over to football lock, stock and barrel.

Interesting explanation thanks.

 

[Bigboii]

Imagine losing to WI, that too really badly . Only Pak could lose to WI and still beat both finalists, Eng and NZ in the same tournament.

It's very hard to be a Pak fan, seriously

 

[Junaids]

The 2019 Final was the greatest ODI game of all time.

It was the most exciting, definitely.

The problem is that the caliber of the cricket - apart from Stokes - was actually deeply mediocre.

If you watch the 1975 semi-final, Gary Gilmour at one point was bowling to four slips and a gully. It was an absolute test of skill and quality.

 

[sweep_shot]

2019 was the best.

All 10 teams were competitive.

 

[Executioner]

2019 is probably the best in my recent memory.

Let us start with the negatives first:
1) When teams put up a total over 250 it was easily defended. Pitches got a bit slower as the day progressed which didn't help too much to be honest.
2) Matches were not as close contested as expected. The main purpose behind having fewer teams was for the tournament to be much tighter. But this was not the case.
3) The semi finalist were almost confirmed well before the group stages were confirmed. This is what happens when only 4 of the top 10 teams can make it through.
4) And a few washouts
5) And perhaps a few more day-night games?

Positives:
1) A good balance of bat and ball. Everyone was expecting that it will be an absolute run fest which did happen on a few occasions. In general however, even matches where 250-270 were scored turned out to be competitive.
2) All matches were of high importance courtesy of the format. While SL WI and Afg where out of the reckoning early though, the result of each matches were still important to one or both teams.
3) An amazing final which is arguably as tight a match as it could ever get. Both teams scored exactly a same number of runs in the 50 overs and super overs and it was decided by boundary count. The match was such that you could not even write a script about it as Nasser or Ian Smith had said. The India vs NZ match was pretty damn good too.
4) THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON- The crowd was amazing. Every key match was a full house. Only a handful of matches had empty seats. Compare that with the 2011 World cup and 2015 world cup, where neutral matches where practically played in front of empty seats/small crowd. It is paramount that the atmosphere is electric which doesn't happen in most parts of the world. It can only happen in Britain as it is a truly multicultural county where cricket is popular.

I do believe in the future, there should be extensive qualifiers where only the top 4 teams and/or hosts get qualified automatically. Also, the ICC need to a better job at marketing this event. I believe the efforts weren't enough.

 

[jeetu]

Hard to judge the best one. But i'll go with 1987 WC.

It was first WC in subcontinent. Sadly both host lost the semi despite topping the group. Matches were of good quality. My personal favorite was India-NZ match where Chetan Sharma got hattrick (all bowled) , good comeback for a bowler who was hit for a last ball Six a year back. Gavaskar scoring his only ODI century.
2 Moments stand out.
1. Walsh not mankading last Pakistani batsman which played part in WI crashing out of World Cup. They didn't qualify for Semi's despite being favorites.
2. Gatting getting out playing reverse sweep when England was in control in finals.

 

[Robert]

Eight million in England is still nothing. If terrestrial TV still broadcast Championship (EFL) football they would get bigger ratings.

The problem is this. The ECB in 2005 took the money for cricket to be hidden on satellite TV, and now only the "middle class" follows cricket - and even then it's mainly people who attended private schools.

I went to the World Cup semis at Old Trafford and Edgbaston last year and the demographics of cricket in England are just horrible now. It's basically ethnic minorities and former private school boys, and nobody else. The working class base of cricket in Lancashire and Yorkshire and even the Midlands has now gone over to football lock, stock and barrel.

Yep :-( Though we should be drawing on the ethnic minorities, as the Yorks and Lancs Leagues have shedloads of Pakistani talent.

 

[ChTab]

Started watching cricket in 2004. That Pakistan vs India series was the 1st series I watched properly. So 2007 WC was the 1st WC I followed completely & I can say that WC 19 was the most entertaining WC of my life. A lot of close encounters. High scoring games in earlier part of tournament. Low scoring thrillers in latter part of the tournament. WC back in england after 20 years. Round Robin back after 1992 WC. Crowd was great in whole tournament there weren't many empty stands throughout the tournament.

 

[Robert]

I think SL started the 96 WC final as favorites or atleast even stevens. The way Jayasuriya was going and the way they thrashed both Eng & Ind in Quarter and Semi finals respectively, they started favorite on finals IMO.

They were the prototype for the modern ODI side. Cram the team with hitters, and just keep hitting no matter what happens.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

For me it will always be 2003 World Cup. A lot changed between 1999 WC and 2003 WC. I mean from a team that only had 1 match winner to a team that had 4-5 match winners. Also the build up to that world cup was amazing. Winning Natwest Trophy in 2002 gave us a lot of confidence.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Out of those that I have seen:

1. 1992
2. 1996
3. 2011

Those that watched it tell me 1987 was very good too. I don't know why but I prefer the tournament when it is played in the subcontinent.

 

[khan_aa]

2019 by a country mile.

 

[Aman]

2019 is the best I've watched.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Can't comment on 75,79 and 83 since the quality of cricket was very obviously of a lower standard but World cups have been great since 87 I suppose ever since Bob Simpson led australia really set the foundations for modern odi cricket. I'd say 07 was a rubbish tournament but rest were all good.

 

[Junaids]

Can't comment on 75,79 and 83 since the quality of cricket was very obviously of a lower standard but World cups have been great since 87 I suppose ever since Bob Simpson led australia really set the foundations for modern odi cricket. I'd say 07 was a rubbish tournament but rest were all good.

I respect your opinion, but I would say the opposite.

The 75, 79 and 83 World Cups were played as 60 overs per innings with a red ball and no fielding restrictions.

The standard was identical to Test cricket. A Guptill or a Maxwell could not have survived two overs.

Nowadays there is a different slogging-based formula. Balls have no seam, wickets have no grass, and bats are massively oversized. Shots which would have been caught previously now go for 6.

I would agree that Maxwell or Guptill have different skills and that fielding has improved. But basically this is a much lower standard of cricket than the original ODI formula.

 

[Robert]

Out of those that I have seen:

1. 1992
2. 1996
3. 2011

Those that watched it tell me 1987 was very good too. I don't know why but I prefer the tournament when it is played in the subcontinent.

There were a couple of upsets in ‘87 - I still don’t know how an England second XI put India out - but the two finalists were far from the strongest sides in the tournament.

 

[Robert]

I respect your opinion, but I would say the opposite.

The 75, 79 and 83 World Cups were played as 60 overs per innings with a red ball and no fielding restrictions.

The standard was identical to Test cricket. A Guptill or a Maxwell could not have survived two overs.

Nowadays there is a different slogging-based formula. Balls have no seam, wickets have no grass, and bats are massively oversized. Shots which would have been caught previously now go for 6.

I would agree that Maxwell or Guptill have different skills and that fielding has improved. But basically this is a much lower standard of cricket than the original ODI formula.

I agree with this. Scores of 350-400 were simply not possible then. No power plays. 240 off 60 overs was often a winning score.

 

[Square Drive]

2019.

1992/2011 are 2nd/3rd.

 

[Rajdeep]

2007 vs 2015 - which was the worst world cup?

 

[Nikhil_cric]

I respect your opinion, but I would say the opposite.

The 75, 79 and 83 World Cups were played as 60 overs per innings with a red ball and no fielding restrictions.

The standard was identical to Test cricket. A Guptill or a Maxwell could not have survived two overs.

Nowadays there is a different slogging-based formula. Balls have no seam, wickets have no grass, and bats are massively oversized. Shots which would have been caught previously now go for 6.

I would agree that Maxwell or Guptill have different skills and that fielding has improved. But basically this is a much lower standard of cricket than the original ODI formula.

I have watched matches from that era and the intensity levels were very low. I do agree that the rules favoured bowlers a lot more but that doesn't necessarily mean none of the modern cricketers would have survived that era. In fact, I don't see a single bowlwe from that era surviving modern odi cricket.

 

[Dulex9]

2007 vs 2015 - which was the worst world cup?

2015 was the worst. So many huge scores. The best games was the Pak vs Sa, Aus vs Nz group match tne the NZ vs SA sf.

At least 2007 had some interesting games. Pak and Ind were both knocked out and the semi spots were even stevens until the latter stages. The second round everyone played each other once I recall and top four were the semis.

 

[chacha kashmiri]

2003 and 2007 were the worst because of the super 6 stages
1996 and 2019 were full of good games but the abandoned games ruined it
It's between 1999 and 2015 for me, both were full of good fast bowling
99 with Donald, akhtar, mcgrath and allott
And 2015 with Boult, starc, yadav, wahab and morkel

 

[SensiblePakFan]

1996 and 2011.

 

[Zaz]

1999 world cup

The format was good, played on competitive wckets in england, some really exciting games and many great players at the height of their powers

A great pakistan team beaten by an even greater aussie team

 

[Super Santi]

Only watched since 1999.

1999 and 2019 the 2 best.

1999 seemed exciting even though i barely knew the rules, the Pakistan team was very likeable.

Only disappointment was the one-sided final.

2019 very good too.

2019 final the best sporting event i have seen and i don't support either team.

Was glued to the tv.

 

[Robert]

I have watched matches from that era and the intensity levels were very low. I do agree that the rules favoured bowlers a lot more but that doesn't necessarily mean none of the modern cricketers would have survived that era. In fact, I don't see a single bowlwe from that era surviving modern odi cricket.

The intensity level was as high, there were just fewer shots played because the longer format and lack of fielding restriction, with spicier wickets, made scoring harder.

 

[Last Monetarist]

There were a couple of upsets in ‘87 - I still don’t know how an England second XI put India out - but the two finalists were far from the strongest sides in the tournament.

Yes, both hosts choked run chases under pressure. Got to give credit to Graham Gooch though for sweeping India out of the tournament.

While Pakistan's chase in Lahore was a bit similar to how they played against India at Mohali in 2011. Only difference is no one remembers Imran and Miandad batting defensively for too long.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Personally I think 2019 is overhyped due to the bizarre nature of its denouement. The tournament was hampered by rain ruining a lot of matches during the group stage that crippled any narrative going forward. I don't even recall any interesting matches apart from the India-NZ semi-final (also ruined by rain) and the final (which was played on a sluggish pitch that won't have looked out of place in Sharjah during the 90s). The quality of cricket was pretty low too in general, with Pakistan and South Africa being abject in most matches.

 

[Robert]

Personally I think 2019 is overhyped due to the bizarre nature of its denouement. The tournament was hampered by rain ruining a lot of matches during the group stage that crippled any narrative going forward. I don't even recall any interesting matches apart from the India-NZ semi-final (also ruined by rain) and the final (which was played on a sluggish pitch that won't have looked out of place in Sharjah during the 90s). The quality of cricket was pretty low too in general, with Pakistan and South Africa being abject in most matches.

That Final pitch was rubbish. Once again English groundsmen serving up decks to help the oppo. They should have made it uber flat as England had more hitting power and bowling speed through the air than NZ.