Harsh Thakor Posted January 31, 2015 Posted January 31, 2015 This is my selection in order of merit of the best cricket world cups. 1.1987 Reliance Cup In the first stage the 1987 Reliance world cup produced more great finishes than any world cup ever did .They were like Hollywood epics with the pendulum continuously turning either way , ending in unexpected climaxes like a dramatic turn in the plot.Australia's 1 run win over India at Madras ,Pakistan's 1 wicket win against West Indies at Lahore,England's 3 wicket win over West Indies at Gujranwala and Australia's 2 run win over New Zealand were all classics.All these games went to the wire and anything could happen till the end.They won a victory for cricket above everything.Above all we saw Courtney Walsh's classic sportsmanship by giving non-striker Salim Jaffer a chance. The Pakistan-Australia semi-final also had a dramatic upset and the final at Calcutta between old adversaries England and Australia had the atmosphere of an Ashes match.Only 7 runs seperated the sides with Australia prevailing.Sad that some stars opted out of the tournament like Gordon Greenidge,Ian Botham,David Gower and Malcolm Marshall which could have made all the difference. Few world cups had 4-5 teams so close together on form with India,Pakistan,England,West Indies all sharing the tag of 'favourites' and Australia,the dark horses not far behind. 2.1975 Prudential Cup Produced some top quality cricket rarely ever seen like the epic clash between West Indies and Pakistan , England and Australia in the semi-final and West Indies and Australia in the final.These games had dramatic twists and turns like a Hollywood thrillers and all won the day for cricket.The final saw the clash of the titans where in the equivalent of a classic novel the Calypsos prevailed over Australia by a margin of 17runs.Who can ever forget the dramatic 64 run stand by Roberts and Murray to win the game against Pakistan at Edgbaston or Gary Gilmour's spectacular all-round performance at Leeds when Australia were reeling at 39-6 chasing a meagre target of 93 runs for victory.The most memorable batting was of Alvin Kalicharan when he amassed 78 of a mere 39 balls against Australia at the Oval and Clive Lloyd's epic century in the final at Lords.They equalled any batting of Jack Hobbs ,Gary Sobers or Viv Richards.Pakistan was the unluckiest team which may well have won the title with a bit of luck. 3.1992 Benson and Hedges world cup in Australia Pakistan came back like wounded tigers .No world cup had such a dramatic comeback by a team ever and Pakistan literally performed a Houdini act.Imran Khan's leadership ressurected Pakistan from the grave to register 6 consecutive wins.Pakistan looked like atiger coming out of an ambush.Also great games played by South Africa against England twice which had classic climaxes and a great game where Australia prevailed over India by 1 run.England were the best and most organized team but lost their form at the end.In the end Pakistan's match-wiiners like Wasim and Inzamam were too handy for England who had better balance, more all-rounders and batting depth but lacked match-winners.The New Zealan-Pakistan semi-final had the makings of an epic contest with Inzamam playing the innings of the world cup. 4. 1983 Prudential Cup Never has an outsider or dark horse won like India did in 1983 in the history of the world cup.India's dramatic metamorphosis after Kapil Dev ressurected them with an unbeaten 175 against Zimbabwe was dramatic.Of course India had won their first game against the West Indies,the favourites.The competition had some classic encounters like those between England and New Zealand at Birmingham,Pakistan and New Zealand at Trent Bridge and a dramatic upset with Zimbabwe beating Australia in the 1st game..Morally West Indies were the best team but in the final David conquered Goliath.The Indian spirit won the day scoring a classic victory over strength.More than any team in the history of the world cup India proved how much the game was in the mind and it illuminated the spirit of glory against all odds.It was triumph against adversity.India's forte was it's great batting depth and all-rounders.Kapil Dev made the crucial difference. 5.1979 Prudential cup Although a much shorter version still had some classic contests like England's 14 run win over Pakistan at Leeds,England's 9 run win over New Zealand in the semi-final ,West Indies 43 run win over Pakistan at the Oval in the semi-final and above all West Indies 86 run win over England in the final.Cricket at it's competitive best. 6.1999 world cup There were 3 teams neck to neck namely Australia,Pakistan and South Africa.In the league stage South Africa and Pakistan outplayed everyone and Australia were not at their best.However by the super six stage the form reveres and Australia looked by an inch the best of the 3.Sadly the final was morally a washout with Pakistan playing like a 2nd string unit like burnt boats.The semi-final at Edgbaston which ended in a tie between Australia and South Africa is the best of all world cup games which posessed an intensity of competition and twists and turns like no one day game ever.It was like seeing a classic Hollywood thriller with a dramatic climax.I also cherish memories of the clash between South Africa and Pakistan where the Proteas prevailed by 3 wickets ,the Australia -Pakistan game where Pakistan prevailed by a margin of 14 runs as well as the final league stage clash between Australai and South Africa at Leeds .Steve Waugh's unbeaten 120 when he was dropped by Herschelle Gibbs was the main turning point of the world cup.Sadly the final was morally a washout with Pakistan playing like a 2nd string unit like burnt boats.This edition unfairly eluded South Africa.At their best it should have been a final between South Africa and Pakistan.The one -sided final influenced my ranking the 1999 edition as below even the 1983 or 1979 versions. 7.1996 world Cup Dark horses Sri Lanka played as well as any past champion and even reminded you of the champion West Indies team with their cavalier batting.They crucified Australia in the final.The semi-final had an epic clash between West Indies and Australia with one of the one day game's most sensational turn arounds.Arvanda de'Silva's batting was classical in the semi-final and final blending technique woth artistry and innovation.Sannath Jayasuriya gave another dimension to the art of batting.I also remember the superb ressurection of West Indies from the grave after they had lost to India and Kenya. with an epic win over South Africa with Brian Lara scoring a century.Sadly South Africa were elimianted in the quarter final stage.To me South Africa and Sri Lanka were the best teams.Australai were very fortunate to win the semi-final at chndigarh when the Calypsos looked to be cruising home. 8.2011 in India India peaked at the right stage being in the doldrums at the beginning.They clinched 3 dramatic wins over Australia,Pakistan and SriLanka to clinch the title.Yuvraj's performances against Australia were the main turning point .Fitting that the side that vanquished past invincibles Australia,lifted the world cup. I was not entertained much by the 2003 and 2007 world cups when Australia looked like aferrari car competing wit ordinary cars.
MCGGG Posted January 31, 2015 Posted January 31, 2015 :omg: Yes, Genghis khan went bezerk with the bat.
G_B_ Posted January 31, 2015 Posted January 31, 2015 I remember watching from the 1992 world cup first i would have voted for it however the rain break rules in that tournament were a joke. I think on balance i would have to say the 1999 world cup was the best. But maybe i am being biased cause it was in the uk
vvvslaxman Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 1983, 2011 are best. honorable mention 1987, 2003 world cup.
Marut Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 1983 - the first WC I watched. 2003 was cool too, though Australia was a cut above the rest, other teams were evenly matched and the playing conditions had balance between bat and the ball. 1999 was the most competitive one.
Gambit Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 Easily, 1999. Even contest between bat and ball.
adi B Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 I think 1999 was the best world cup till date with 3 strong teams(aus,pak,saf) and 3 semi strong sides (India,nzl,srl) and off course Zimbabwe. Very competitive world cup
adi B Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 I think we are discussing about the the best world cup quality wise not what we were happy with. 1999 was easily the best ,then comes 2003 where india,saf,pak,nzl,srl all had strong sides
jonas10 Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 Safe to say 1992 was the worst. There was never a more undeserving champion that lost multiple games, relied on rain and an easy path.
Marut Posted February 1, 2015 Posted February 1, 2015 Safe to say 1992 was the worst. There was never a more undeserving champion that lost multiple games' date=' relied on rain and an easy path.[/quote'] Not entirely undeserving. They won five matches in a row towards the end - they peaked at the right time. Though they were lucky against England, rain undid them in the match against SA when the target was suddenly revised forcing them to go for a RRR of 9 which was impossible back then.
veer Posted February 2, 2015 Posted February 2, 2015 Not entirely undeserving. They won five matches in a row towards the end - they peaked at the right time. Though they were lucky against England' date=' rain undid them in the match against SA when the target was suddenly revised forcing them to go for a RRR of 9 which was impossible back then.[/quote'] Martin Crowe in semil final made a huge gamble by not leading the team in Semi final vs Pak to save himself for Final. And according to him, John Wright made some bad decisions on field.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now