Top spells by Australian bowlers in ODI World Cup finals

IND vs AUS, World Cup 2023 Final: Here is a look at the top bowling performances by Australians in summit clashes of the Cricket World Cup.

FILE PHOTO: McGrath celebrates the wicket of Kaif during the 2003 World Cup final. | Photo Credit: V.V. Krishnan/The Hindu

Australia will feature in its eighth men’s ODI World Cup final when it takes on India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

Australia has won the World Cup title five times - in 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2015.

Here are the top five spells by Australians in World Cup finals:

5. GLENN McGRATH - 5/32 (JOHANNESBURG)

In the 2003 final against India, McGrath removed three Indian batters in his spell. He nabbed Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammad Kaif and the last wicket of Zaheer Khan to win Australia its third World Cup.

4. JAMES FAULKNER - 3/36 (MELBOURNE)

Faulkner played a crucial role in the 2015 final and picked three wickets. The left-arm pacer gave away 36 runs and got the wickets of Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson, and Grant Elliot in the match played in Melbourne.

James Faulkner and Brad Haddin of Australia appeal for the wicket of Ross Taylor of New Zealand during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup final. | Photo Credit: GETTY IMAGES

3. MITCHELL JOHNSON - 3/30 (MELBOURNE)

Johnson, also in the 2015 final, removed three New Zealand batters to help Australia win its fifth World Cup title and its first in front of the home crowd.

Australian cricketer Mitchell Johnson celebrates with the trophy. | Photo Credit: AFP

2. SHANE WARNE - 4/33 (LORD’S)

Warne, in the 1999 final against Pakistan, got the better of four opposition batters during his nine-over spell and helped Australia clinch its second title in the match played at Lord’s, London.

Australia’s Shane Warne reacts as he takes the wicket of Pakistan’s Ijaz Ahmed during the World Cup final in 1999. | Photo Credit: AFP

1. GARY GILMOUR - 5/48 (LORD’S)

Gilmour is the only bowler to pick a five-wicket haul in a men’s World Cup final for Australia so far. In the 1975 final against West Indies, Gilmour removed the likes of Alvin Kallicharran, Rohan Kanhai, Clive Lloyd and Viv Richards during his 12-over spell in the match played at Lord’s, London. Unfortunately for him, Australia couldn’t beat West Indies in that game.

West Indies skipper Clive Lloyd turns for the pavillion as Gary Gilmour awaits for the appeal for a catch by wicket-keeper Rod Marsh. | Photo Credit: THE HINDU ARCHIVES