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When Michael Clarke will lead Australian team against Brendon McCullum’s New Zealand unit at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), 2015 Cricket World Cup will mark the seventh occasion when the mighty Australia has been to the Cricket World Cup finals. With fantastic 4-2 win-loss record in the final, Clarke’s men will look to decimate their neighbours in the awaited trans-Tasman thrilling contest. Aussies have been a dominant force in the game of cricket right from the inaugural edition way back in 1975 when they came second to West Indies. We take a look at how the formidable Aussies have fared in the six Cricket World Cup finals played so far. Also: Michael Clarke – A look at 13 shades of Pup’s evolution to inspiring Australian captain!
1. 1975 Cricket World Cup Final – Australia lost to West Indies by 17 runs
In the first Cricket World Cup 1975 Final, it was Clive Lloyd’s West Indies that registered a 17-run victory over Ian Chappell led Australian side at the Lord’s Cricket Ground, London on 21 June. West Indies skipper Clive Lloyd struck a 102 runs off 85 deliveries consisting of 12 fours and 2 sixes to set a total of 291/8 in 60 Overs. Coming in to chase the healthy target, despite a good effort by rival captain Ian Chappell who made 62 off 93 deliveries, Australia were bowled out for 274 in 58.4 overs. Also Read: Australia vs New Zealand, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, Final: 5 things you need to know ahead of AUS vs NZ clash.
2. 1987 Cricket World Cup Final – Australia defeated England by seven runs
Australia again made to the return to the Cricket World Cup final after a hiatus of two edition with 1987 Cricket World Cup final. In the 1987 Cricket World Cup also known as the Reliance World Cup was hosted by India and Pakistan and for the first time introduced the concept of 50 overs match instead 60 overs. In what remains to be one of the thrilling contests till date, Australia after winning the toss posted 253/5 on board with David Boon being top-scorer for Australia with his 75 runs from 125 balls.
In reply to Australia’s 254 target, England were inching towards victory when Poms captain Mike Gatting attempted a reverse sweep off Aussie captain Allan Border and ended up breaking the match winning partnership between him and Bill Athey. In this first Cricket World Cup taking place outside England saw Australia win their maiden World Cup.
3. 1996 Cricket World Cup Final – Australia lost to Sri Lanka by seven wickets
The 1996 Cricket World Cup also known as Wills World Cup saw surprising contest between winners Australia and underdogs Sri Lanka. The Australian side quite uncharacteristically lost to a rising team, islanders Sri Lanka in the sixth edition of Cricket World Cup. The world Cup 1996 final belonged to Sri Lankan batting sensation Aravinda De Silva who shined both with bat and ball to leave Aussies paralysed.
Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga invited Australia to bat first at the Gaddafi Stadium in Pakistan after winning the toss. Australia got off to a blistering start but the middle order collapsed from being 137/1 to 170/5 against Lankans spin web. Australia managed a total of 241/7 in 50 overs. The target of 242 was easily scaled with Aravinda De Silva making an unbeaten 107 to guide Sri Lanka to sole World Cup win.
4. 1999 Cricket World Cup Final – Australia beat Pakistan by eight wickets
Australia laid their hands on their second Cricket World Cup trophy when they decimated Pakistan in the 1999 Cricket World Cup Final at the Lord’s Cricket Ground that hosted its fourth final. The lop-sided final belonged to spin wizard Shane Warne who took 4 wickets for 33 runs in nine overs to bowl Pakistan out at a total of 132 in 39 overs. In this shortest final played till date, Australia riding on Adam Gilchrist’s fiery 36 balls 54 runs innings won the match in 20.1 overs.
5. 2003 Cricket World Cup Final – Australia beat India by 125 runs
The second successive and third overall Cricket World Cup wins for Australia came at the eight edition of tournament. Defending champions Australia played India who had made their second final appearance after once being 1983 winners. On 23 March 2003 at the Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa, Australia blasted Indian bowlers after being invited to bat first by Indian captain Sourav Ganguly. Australia posted a huge total of 359/2 in 50 overs. Oz captain Ricky Ponting hit a smashing unbeaten 140 along with Damien Martyn who made 88 not out.
Chasing a mountain target of 360 in rain-interrupted match, India lost their way in the early overs when they lost their main man, Sachin Tendulkar as Glenn McGrath had him caught and bowled. India never looked in the match barring a brief period when Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag were on crease. With wickets falling at regular interval, Aussies maintained their winning momentum at World Cups.
6. 2007 Cricket World Cup Final – Australia beat Sri Lanka 53 runs (D/L method)
In the repeat of 1996 Cricket World Cup final, Australia and Sri Lanka met for the title clash at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados. Australia who did not lose a single match in the tournament seeked to complete hat trick of World Cup finals win. In what was another rain-interrupted final, Australia posted 281/4 in 38 overs courtesy a brilliant innings of 149 played by Aussie wicket-keeper and batsman Adam Gilchrist. In what was seen as a controversy-marred final, the match had its share of drama due to confusion on umpires part, Duckworth and Lewis method that eventually saw Australia win the final by 53 runs.
Australia lost the 2011 Cricket World Cup to eventual winners India in the quarter-finals stage, thus bringing an end to their invincible run at the Cricket World Cup and overall dominance at the cricketing world. But now as they proceed to yet another final; Michael Clarke and his side has yet another chance at regaining the lost pride.
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