The 12th edition of ICC World Cup starts from 30 May in England and Wales. This is the fifth time that the tournament is taking place in the United Kingdom. After the first three editions in 1975, 1979 and 1983, England hosted the World Cup once again in 1999. 20 years later, again England will be hosting the mega event, where they are also being termed as the favorites.
With the World Cup just a week away, here is a look at the previous winners of the tournament.
1975 World Cup (Winners: West Indies)
The very first edition of the Cricket World Cup and West Indies went onto become the undisputed champions. The team led by Clive Lloyd beat Australia in the finals to become the first-ever winners of the competition.
Powered by Clive Lloyd’s 102, West Indies ended up scoring 291 in their allotted 60 overs. Andy Roberts led their defence with the ball and his economical spell helped the other bowlers take wickets. Kieth Boyce picked up 4 for 50 as Australia scored 274 with contributions from the top-order.
Man of the Match: Clive Lloyd
1979 World Cup (Winners: West Indies)
Winning their maiden World Cup title in 1975, West Indies successfully defended their title in the next edition four years later. Lloyd’s team came back even stronger this time.
Their team had the likes of Gordon Greenidge, Desmon Haynes and Alvin Kalicharan with the bat besides their skipper Lloyd. But the final was all about Vivian Richards’s unbeaten 138 as the England bowlers took a beating.
Their bowling line up comprised fast and fiery Andy Roberts, Michael Holding and Joel Garner.
Chasing 288 for victory, England were bowled out for 194 as Garner ripped through the England batting line-up picking up 5 wickets. Besides Garner, Holding picked up two for 16 in 8 overs.
Man of the Match: Viv Richards
1983 World Cup (Winners: India)
Beating two-time champions West Indies, India went onto become Champions for the first time. This victory under the leadership of Kapil Dev at the iconic Lord’s cricket stadium, brought India on the world map of cricket.
An inspiring catch from Kapil Dev, who ran 20 yards to complete a catch which dismissed Viv Richards off Madan Lal’s bowling, is still fresh in the memory of Indian fans. Kapil Dev’s men defended 183 as West Indies’ much-famed batting line-up was dismissed for 140.
India went onto win the match by 43 runs as the mighty West Indies lost for the first time in the World Cup finals. India suddenly became a force to reckon with in the cricketing world.
Man of the Match: Mohinder Amarnath
1987 World Cup (Winners: Australia)
Australia were crowned champions for the first time in 1987 under the leadership of Allan Border. After their maiden World Cup win, Australia went onto win four more. Among their next four wins, three wins were back to back from 1999 to 2007.
In the 1987 edition, Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens was the backdrop of the World Cup final with Australia facing England. Batting first Australia scored 253 on the back of David Boon’s 75.
England gave Australia a scare in the chase as they reached 246 after the Englisg middle-order ( Gatting 41, Lamb 45, Bill Athey 58) flourished. This was the first time the World Cup was brought down to 50 overs per side.
Man of the Match: David Boon
1992 World Cup (Winners: Pakistan)
This was the first time coloured jerseys were introduced in a cricket World Cup. Pakistan led by the enigmatic Imran Khan went onto win their one and only World Cup title so far. Imran’s all-round potential was on view throughout the tournament as he scored runs and took wickets at will.
In the final, Imran once again rose to the occasion as he scored a match-winning 72 and added a crucial stand with Javed Miandad who scored 58. Pakistan scored a competitive 249 in their 50 overs.
Wasim Akram with his pace and swing was unplayable in the final as he took three for 49 in his 10 overs. Akram dismissed Ian Botham, Allan Lamb and Craig Lewis as the cricketing world got the first sight of the lanky left-arm pacer.
Man of the Match: Wasim Akram
1996 World Cup (Winners: Sri Lanka)
Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitarana brought in the culture of pinch-hitting in the first 15 overs as Sri Lanka under Arjuna Ranatunga won their maiden World Cup title.
Australia who were in the finals for the third time, faced a Sri Lankan team, who played an attacking brand of cricket throughout the entire season.
Aravinda de Silva made the night his own in Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium as his unbeaten 107 helped Sri Lanka chase down a target of 242. He had Arjuna Ranatunga for company at the other end. The duo added an unbeaten 97-run stand as the Lankans created history.
Man of the Match: Aravinda De Silva
1999 World Cup (Winners: Australia)
This edition started the Australian domination in World Cricket which went on till 2007 as Australia completed a hat-trick of World Cup wins. After winning a nail-biter of a semi-final against South Africa, Australia faced Pakistan in the final.
It was a one-sided affair as Pakistan were not able to face the wrath of the Australian bowlers, who had the likes of Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Damien Fleming and Paul Reiffel in their ranks.
Pakistan were bowled out for 132, which the Australians chased down inside 20 overs to win their second World Cup.
Man of the Match: Shane Warne
2003 World Cup (Winners: Australia)
After dominating through the group stage, India and Australia finished as the finalists. India under Sourav Ganguly were in the World Cup finals for the first time after 1983. While, this was Australia’s fourth World Cup final one in which they completely dominated.
Australia scored a mammoth 359/2 after Sourav Ganguly won the toss and opted to field. Ricky Ponting scored an unbeaten 140 and Damien Martin scored a crucial 88, taking them to the total which one impossible to chase.
As it turned out, India were bowled out for 234 in 39.2 overs as Australia were crowned World Cup champions for the third time. This was their second straight World Cup win as their domination in world cricket gathered momentum.
Man of the Match: Ricky Ponting
2007 World Cup (Winners: Australia)
West Indies hosted a World Cup for the first time in 2007, but Australia went onto win their fourth World Cup title. The core group of players displayed another dominating performance throughout the edition and were crowned champions.
In the final, which was by marred interruptions at the end, Australia scored 281/4 on the back of Adam Gilchrist’s 149. The mighty Australian bowling line-up led by Glenn McGrath brought Sri Lanka down to 215/8 after the game was brought down to 36 overs due to dark clouds hovering over the sky at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.
Man of the Match: Adam Gilchrist
2011 World Cup (Winners: India)
India under the leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni went onto beat Sri Lanka in the final to lift their second World Cup. This world cup was hailed as the farewell of Sachin Tendulkar and the win coming at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai provided it the perfect setting.
MS Dhoni’s unbeaten 91 and Gautam Gambhir’s 97 helped India chase down 275 needed for victory. Yuvraj Singh was awarded the Player of the Tournament award for his all-round performance.
Man of the Match: MS Dhoni
2015 World Cup (Winners: Australia)
Australia were crowned World Cup champions for the fifth time as Michael Clarke led them in this tournament. He also announced his international retirement after leading Australia to a memorable win against New Zealand.
Clarke scored a match winning 74 to cap off a memorable campaign for Australia. Bowling first the Australian bowlers bowled out New Zealand for 183. In reply, they chased the total down in 33. 1 overs to win the game by 7 wickets.
Man of the Match: James Faulkner
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