List of Cricket World Cup finals explained

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup is an international cricket competition established in 1975.[1] It is contested by the men's national teams of the members of the International Cricket Council (ICC), the sport's global governing body.[2] The tournament generally takes place every four years. Most recently, the 2023 Cricket World Cup, hosted by India, was won by Australia, who beat India. The current trophy was instituted in 1999. It always remains with the ICC, and a replica is awarded to the winning team.[3] [4] For the 2019 and 2023 World Cups, the host nation and the seven other highest-ranked nations automatically qualify for the World Cup, while other nations including associate and affiliate ICC members play in a qualification tournament, the World Cup Qualifier. Though an associate member is yet to reach the final, Kenya did reach the semi-finals in 2003.[5] Australia is the most successful team in the competition's history, winning six tournaments and finishing as runner-up twice.[6] Twice, teams have won successive tournaments: the West Indies won the first two editions (1975 and 1979) and Australia won three in a row (1999, 2003, and 2007). Australia has played in the most finals (eight out of thirteen: 1975, 1987, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015, and 2023). England has lost the most World Cup finals, ending as runner-up in all three final appearances before their "victory" in the 2019 tournament.[7] [8]

Of the twenty teams that have qualified for at least one Cricket World Cup, seven have contested a tournament final.[9] Seven venues have hosted the final; only two of those – Lord's, in London, and the Melbourne Cricket Ground – have hosted multiple finals.[10] India is the only country that has hosted a World Cup final at more than one venue, with Eden Gardens, Kolkata, hosting in 1987, Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium hosting in 2011 and Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad hosting in 2023.

History

The inaugural ICC Cricket World Cup final was held on 21 June 1975 at Lord's, contested by Australia and the West Indies. A man of the match performance,[11] including a century, from West Indian captain Clive Lloyd, coming in to bat at number five with his team at 50/3,[12] formed the basis of a 149-run fourth-wicket partnership with Rohan Kanhai.[13] Keith Boyce added a quick 34 and the Australians were set a target of 292 to win in 60 overs. In reply, Alan Turner hit 40 from 54 deliveries and Australian captain Ian Chappell scored 62 from 93 balls. Australia "contributed to their own destruction" in an innings with five run outs, and the West Indies were crowned the first cricket world champions, winning by 17 runs.[14] Four years later, the West Indies qualified for the final, this time facing England, hosted at Lord's for the second consecutive tournament. An unbeaten 138 from Viv Richards, and support from Collis King in a 139-run partnership for the fifth wicket,[15] saw the West Indies set England a target of 287 runs to win in 60 overs.[16] A profitable but slow opening partnership between Mike Brearley and Geoffrey Boycott (the latter taking 17 overs to reach double figures)[17] saw England to 129. However, following Brearley's dismissal, only Graham Gooch and Derek Randall made a "brief assault" on the West Indian bowling,[17] before a batting collapse, Joel Garner taking five wickets in eleven balls.[18] England ended 194 all out, and presented the West Indies with their second consecutive title, winning by 92 runs.[17]

Lord's hosted the third World Cup final in June 1983; this was West Indies' third consecutive final. This time they faced India in front of 24,609 spectators.[19] Sunil Gavaskar was dismissed early in the innings for two runs, and only Kris Srikkanth scored more than thirty;[20] Andy Roberts took three wickets for the West Indies, leaving India all out for 183.[20] After the dismissals of Viv Richards, Desmond Haynes and Larry Gomes by Madan Lal for six runs between them, the West Indies collapsed to 140 all out, handing the title to India by 43 runs.[19] India and Pakistan co-hosted the 1987 tournament; the final was held at Eden Gardens in Kolkata between Australia and England, both appearing for the second time and vying for their first title. Australia won the toss and elected to bat first; David Boon scored 75 runs from 125 deliveries, while Mike Veletta made a rapid 45 from 31 deliveries, taking Australia to a total of 253/5 by the close of play, this time after 50 overs.[21] In front of around 70,000 spectators, England's middle order of Bill Athey, Mike Gatting and Allan Lamb provided some resistance, but with 17 runs required in the final over to win, England fell short and lost by 7 runs.[22]

The 1992 tournament was co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, with the first ever day/night final being held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia between England and Pakistan. In their first final appearance, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first. Despite two early wickets from Derek Pringle, Pakistani batsmen Imran Khan and Javed Miandad shared a third-wicket partnership of 139. Both Inzamam-ul-Haq and Wasim Akram added over thirty runs each at more than a run-a-ball, leading Pakistan to a total of 249/6 in 50 overs.[23] A crowd of over 87,000 saw man-of-the-match Wasim Akram take three of England's wickets, including that of all-rounder Ian Botham for a duck, after Graeme Hick was "baffled by the googly".[24] England were bowled out for 227, and Pakistan won by 22 runs.[23]

India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka hosted the tournament in 1996. It was Sri Lanka's first appearance in the final, and they faced 1987 champions Australia in another day/night contest. After winning the toss, Arjuna Ranatunga sent Australia in to bat at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Captain Mark Taylor and Ricky Ponting added 101 in their second-wicket partnership as Australia completed their 50 overs with 241/7.[25] Man of the match Aravinda de Silva's century, assisted by partnerships with Asanka Gurusinha and Ranatunga, led Sri Lanka to the target with 22 balls and 7 wickets to spare, and their first win in the final. This was the first time a host won the title, though the final was played in Pakistan. It was also the first time that the team batting second emerged victorious.[25]

Australia's "12-year era of World Cup dominance" began with the 1999 tournament,[26] hosted for the fourth time by England. In a "one-sided" final at Lord's,[27] Shane Warne's four wickets helped to restrict Pakistan to 132 runs, all out with 11 overs yet to bat.[28] A rapid fifty from Adam Gilchrist, and support from Mark Waugh, Ponting and Darren Lehmann, saw Australia reach the total in just over 20 overs, winning by eight wickets.[28]

The 2003 tournament had three co-hosts: South Africa, Kenya and Zimbabwe, the final being a day/night match contested between Australia and India at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden opened the batting, making a century partnership, before Ponting and Damien Martin went on to score the highest partnership in any World Cup final with an unbeaten 234.[29] Australia batted out their fifty overs, and ended on the highest score in World Cup final history: 359/2.[30] Player of the tournament Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed in the first over of India's reply but Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid combined to score 88 in their fourth wicket partnership. However, following Dravid's dismissal, India's batting collapsed, and they finished on 234 all out with nearly eleven overs remaining, handing Australia a 125-run victory.[30]

The 2007 final, held at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, was reduced to 38 overs a side following a two-hour rain delay.[31] Australia's Gilchrist hit the fastest century in a World Cup final at a strike rate of over 143 and his opening stand with Hayden became the largest first-wicket partnership in World Cup history.[29] Australia ended on 281/4, an average of 7.39 runs per over.[32] In reply, Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara accumulated 116 runs for the second wicket, but with Chamara Silva the only other batsman to score over 20, Sri Lanka capitulated. Despite a revised target, due to a further rain break, calculated using the Duckworth–Lewis method, Sri Lanka scored 215 - 8 from their allotted overs. With a 53-run victory, Australia won their third consecutive World Cup.[32]

Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka co-hosted the 2011 tournament,[33] with the latter pair meeting in the final in the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Scoring 91 runs in their final 10 overs,[34] Sri Lanka's innings ended on 274/6, Mahela Jayawardene top-scoring with an unbeaten 103.[35] Sehwag was out leg before wicket to Lasith Malinga in the second ball of the Indian innings; Tendulkar soon followed him, but 97 from Gautam Gambhir and an unbeaten 91 from MS Dhoni saw India home with 10 balls to spare. By winning the match, India became the first team to win the finals on home soil.[35]

The 2015 final, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, was won by hosts Australia. Their fast bowlers ripped through the New Zealand team, with Mitchell Starc bowling Brendon McCullum out for a duck and Mitchell Johnson taking three wickets. Despite the efforts of Grant Elliot, New Zealand were bowled out for 183. Steven Smith and Michael Clarke registered half-centuries as Australia won their fifth World Cup.

Four years later, the 2019 final, held at Lord's, was won by hosts England. England, playing in their first final in 27 years, defeated New Zealand to take the trophy. The Final was decided on a countback of boundaries scored in the match after both teams finished tied after normal play and again in a one over 'Super Over' designed to separate the teams.

This method of separating the Finalists was changed by the ICC after the match in favour of continuing with Super Overs until the teams can be separated.

The 2023 final, held at Narendra Modi Stadium, Australia won the match by 6 wickets with 42 balls left. Australia won the toss and chose to bowl first. India scored 240 runs in 50 overs and Australia scored 241 runs with 4 wickets, winning the Cricket World Cup for a record sixth time.

Men's Cricket World Cup Finals List

Key to list of finals
The final was played as a day/night game.
The final was decided by the Duckworth–Lewis method.
Men's Cricket World Cup Finals !Year!Winner!Winner's score!Winning
margin!Runner-up!R/Up's score!Final venue!Host nation(s)!Crowd!Sponsors/Organizers
1975291/8 (60 overs)17 runs274 all out (58.4 overs)England 24,000 Prudential
1979286/9 (60 overs)92 runs194 all out (51 overs)32,000 Prudential
1983183 all out (55th over)43 runs140 all out (52 overs)30,000 Prudential
1987253/5 (50 overs)7 runs246/8 (50 overs)Eden Gardens, KolkataIndia, Pakistan 95,000 Reliance
1992249/6 (50 overs)227 all out (49.2 overs)Australia, New Zealand 87,182 Benson and Hedges
1996245/3 (46.2 overs)7 wickets241/7 (50 overs)Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka 62,645 Wills Navy Cut
1999133/2 (20.1 overs)8 wickets132 all out (39 overs)Lord's, LondonEngland30,000 International Cricket Council
2003359/2 (50 overs)125 runs234 all out (39.2 overs)Wanderers, JohannesburgSouth Africa32,827 International Cricket Council
2007281/4 (38 overs)215/8 (36 overs)Kensington Oval, BarbadosWest Indies 28,108 International Cricket Council
2011277/4 (48.2 overs)6 wickets274/6 (50 overs)India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh 42,000International Cricket Council
2015186/3 (33.1 overs)7 wickets[36] 183 all out (45 overs)Australia, New Zealand 93,013International Cricket Council
2019241 all out (50 overs)Tiebreak: 9 boundaries241/8 (50 overs)Lord's, LondonEngland, Wales 30,000International Cricket Council
2023241/4 (43 overs)6 wickets240 all out (50 overs)India92,453[37] International Cricket Council

Note: the World Cups hosted by England (1983, 1999, 2019) and South Africa (2003) also had some matches played in Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Netherlands, Zimbabwe and Kenya

Results by country

National teamWinnersYears wonRunners-upYears runners-up
61987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015, 202321975, 1996
21983, 201122003, 2023
21975, 197911983
1201931979, 1987, 1992
1199622007, 2011
1199211999
0-2

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ICC CWC History . . 30 November 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111121195448/http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/events_and_awards/CWC/cwc_history.php . 21 November 2011 .
  2. Web site: ICC Cricket World Cup. ESPN. 10 January 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120209203339/http://espn.go.com/extra/cricket/topics/_/page/icc-cricket-world-cup. 9 February 2012. dead.
  3. Web site: Big money for winner of World Cup 2007 . 12 January 2012 . . 11 April 2007 . Elmo . Rodrigopulle . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121019054344/http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/04/11/spo01.asp . 19 October 2012 .
  4. Web site: Battle for World cricket supremacy . Lionel . Wijesiri . 12 January 2012 . . 28 April 2011 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121019054522/http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/04/28/fea53.asp . 19 October 2012 .
  5. Web site: Outsiders seek to prove their worth. 12 January 2012. The Hindu. Chennai. The Hindu Group. 4 March 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20110919134406/http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/04/stories/2007030401711700.htm. 19 September 2011. dead.
  6. Web site: World Cup / Records / Series results. ESPNcricinfo. ESPN. 4 April 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110227112333/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/engine/records/team/series_results.html?id=12%3Btype%3Dtrophy. 27 February 2011.
  7. Web site: The World Cup – A brief history. Martin. Williamson. ESPNcricinfo. ESPN. 4 April 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20080328095116/http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/wc2007/content/story/264535.html. 28 March 2008. live.
  8. Web site: A history of the Cricket World Cup from 1975 to 2007. Fox Sports. Manoj. Vatsyayana. 14 February 2011. 4 April 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20121006065716/http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/cricket-world-cup-2011/a-history-of-the-cricket-world-cup-from-1975-to-2007/story-e6frf3ju-1226004599394. 2012-10-06. live.
  9. Web site: Records / World Cup / Result summary . . 4 April 2011 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110227115818/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/results_summary.html?id=12%3Btype%3Dtrophy . 27 February 2011 .
  10. Web site: Mumbai now also becomes cricket capital. 12 January 2012. Hindustan Times. New Delhi. HT Media Ltd. 2 April 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110829002847/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Mumbai-now-also-becomes-cricket-capital/Article1-680397.aspx. 29 August 2011.
  11. Web site: Prudential World Cup  - 1975 . 9 January 2012 . . . https://web.archive.org/web/20120112103612/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/65049.html . 12 January 2012 . live .
  12. Web site: Clive Lloyd  - 1975. BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 9 January 2012. 3 January 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20110220180104/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/cwc2003/hi/newsid_2590000/newsid_2596900/2596985.stm. 20 February 2011. live.
  13. Web site: Prudential World Cup, 1975  - Fall of wickets and partnerships. 9 January 2012. ESPNcricinfo. ESPN. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110204195837/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65049.html?innings=1%3Bview%3Dfow. 4 February 2011.
  14. Web site: The Prudential World Cup Final, 1975 . Norman . Preston . . 12 January 2006 . . 9 January 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714153333/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/150279.html . 14 July 2014 . live .
  15. Web site: Prudential World Cup, 1979  - Fall of wickets and partnerships . 9 January 2012 . . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110204195842/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65063.html?innings=1%3Bview%3Dfow . 4 February 2011 .
  16. Web site: Prudential World Cup  - 1979 . 9 January 2012 . . . https://web.archive.org/web/20111210105052/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/65063.html . 10 December 2011 . live .
  17. Web site: Prudential World Cup final, 1979 . Norman . Preston . . . 9 January 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140717120141/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/150321.html . 17 July 2014 . live .
  18. Web site: Clive Lloyd  - 1979 . . . 9 January 2012 . 3 January 2003 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121008105135/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/cwc2003/hi/newsid_2590000/newsid_2597300/2597337.stm . 8 October 2012 . live .
  19. Web site: India defy the odds . . 2 June 2008 . . 9 January 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120105024443/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/150434.html . 5 January 2012 . live .
  20. Web site: Prudential World Cup  - 1983 . 9 January 2012 . . . https://web.archive.org/web/20120105014250/http://www.espncricinfo.com/wc1983/engine/match/65090.html . 5 January 2012 . live .
  21. Web site: Reliance World Cup  - 1987/88 . 9 January 2012 . . . https://web.archive.org/web/20120107061647/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65117.html . 7 January 2012 . live .
  22. Web site: 1987 - 88 World Cup  - Final . . . 9 January 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150404084846/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/150655.html . 4 April 2015 . live .
  23. Web site: Benson & Hedges World Cup  - 1991/92 . 9 January 2012 . . . https://web.archive.org/web/20111222221823/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65156.html . 22 December 2011 . live .
  24. Web site: Benson & Hedges World Cup 1991 - 92 final . 9 January 2012 . . . https://web.archive.org/web/20111217080645/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/150903.html . 17 December 2011 . live .
  25. Web site: Wills World Cup  - Final  - Australia v Sri Lanka. 10 January 2012. ESPNcricinfo. ESPN. https://web.archive.org/web/20131004132812/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65192.html. 4 October 2013. live.
  26. Web site: Rollercoaster riders . Brydon . Coverdale . 10 January 2012 . . 5 January 2012 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20120109144332/http://www.espncricinfo.com/review2011/content/story/547872.html . 9 January 2012 . live .
  27. Web site: Paul Reiffel  - 1999 . . . 10 January 2012 . 13 January 2003 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121113182017/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/cwc2003/hi/newsid_2650000/newsid_2652800/2652867.stm . 13 November 2012 . live .
  28. Web site: ICC World Cup  - Final  - Australia v Pakistan. 10 January 2012. ESPNcricinfo. ESPN. https://web.archive.org/web/20120110171003/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65234.html. 10 January 2012. live.
  29. Web site: Statistics / Statsguru / One-Day Internationals / Partnership records . 10 January 2012 . . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150912082952/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=2%3Bfilter%3Dadvanced%3Bfinal_type%3D1%3Btemplate%3Dresults%3Btrophy%3D12%3Btype%3Dfow%3Bview%3Dinnings . 12 September 2015 .
  30. Web site: ICC World Cup  - Final  - Australia v India . 10 January 2012 . . . https://web.archive.org/web/20150428100407/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65286.html . 28 April 2015 . live .
  31. Web site: Final: Australia v Sri Lanka . Oliver . Brett . . . 10 January 2012 . 28 April 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131002214726/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/6599659.stm . 2 October 2013 . live .
  32. Web site: ICC World Cup Final 2006/07 . 10 January 2012 . . . https://web.archive.org/web/20120111151822/http://www.espncricinfo.com/wc2007/engine/match/247507.html . 11 January 2012 . live .
  33. Web site: ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 . 6 February 2015 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20150206130539/http://www.cricknews.net/2015/02/icc-cricket-world-cup-2011-complete.html . 2015-02-06 . dead .
  34. Web site: India power past Sri Lanka to Cricket World Cup triumph . 2 April 2011 . 10 January 2012 . . . Sam . Sheringham . https://web.archive.org/web/20120123061530/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/9444277.stm . 23 January 2012 . live .
  35. Web site: ICC World Cup Final 2010/11 . 10 January 2012 . . . https://web.archive.org/web/20110416043712/http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/engine/current/match/433606.html . 16 April 2011 . live .
  36. Web site: Final (D/N), ICC Cricket World Cup at Melbourne, Mar 29 2015 . . . 18 July 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190626192341/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8039/scorecard/656495/australia-vs-new-zealand-final-icc-cricket-world-cup-2014-15 . 26 June 2019 . live .
  37. News: Martin . Ali . Australia have reached 'pinnacle' with sixth World Cup, says Pat Cummins . 20 November 2023 . The Guardian . 19 November 2023.