Three finals and two semi-finals figure in this Andy Hampson list of gripping games.
Final, June 21, 1975, Lord'sWest Indies beat Australia by 17 runsThe indomitable West Indies held on to become the first world champions in a Lord's thriller, which ended at 8.45 p.m. on a balmy evening. Windies captain Clive Lloyd led by example with a thunderous 102 to set the Aussies a stiff target of 292. Australia raced along to 81 for one in reply but then spectacularly contributed to their own downfall with five run-outs. Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee revived hopes with a last-wicket stand of 41, but — inevitably — poor running ended their resistance with eight balls remaining.
Final, June 25, 1983, Lord'sIndia beat West Indies by 43 runsIndia dethroned back-to-back champions West Indies with a stunning fightback in a low-scoring encounter. India had seemed beaten as they were bowled out for just 183, but West Indian complacency then set in. Madan Lal sparked a collapse with three quick wickets, and the favourites dramatically slumped to 76 for six. Jeff Dujon and Malcolm Marshall threatened to turn things around, but Mohinder Amarnath removed them both to spark Indian celebrations.
Semifinal, March 14, 1996, ChandigarhAustralia beat West Indies by five runsVictory over New Zealand in a high-scoring quarterfinal, followed by a long journey to north India, looked to have taken its toll on Australia — as the West Indies, rejuvenated after a shock loss to Kenya, closed in on a place in the final. The Aussies slipped to 15 for four — and although they recovered to set a target of 208, the Windies looked to have their measure. Richie Richardson and Shivnarine Chanderpaul were in complete control until the latter's dismissal sparked a dramatic collapse of eight quick wickets. Richardson could still have won the game with 10 needed in the last over — but instead of giving his captain the strike, last man Courtney Walsh aimed a wild heave and was bowled.
Final, March 17, 1996, LahoreSri Lanka beat Australia by seven wicketsSri Lanka sensationally rewrote the world order with some outstanding performances in 1996, and their success was made all the sweeter by the fact that Australia were their final victims. The Aussies had refused to play in Sri Lanka earlier in the tournament because of terrorist fears — and the islanders were offended. They responded by sweeping to the final on a wave of exhilarating and fearless cricket. But when they lost two early wickets — including man-of-the-moment Sanath Jayasuriya — in response to Australia's 241 the entertainment seemed over. Aravinda de Silva had different ideas, however, and ruthlessly punished an increasingly frustrated Australian attack to win the match with a majestic, unbeaten 107.
Semifinal, June 17, 1999, EdgbastonAustralia beat South Africa on net run-rate after match finished tied.
The most dramatic finish in the history of one-day cricket saw eventual champions Australia scrape through to the final on Super Six net run-rate after both sides had been bowled out for the same score. The Aussies' dramatic late charge through the tournament looked over as Lance Klusener bludgeoned his way to 31 in 16 balls to all but settle the game. Klusener levelled the scores at 213 in the final over, but a rush of blood resulted in Allan Donald being run out with two balls to spare — and the Aussies celebrated.
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