5 most thrilling games in World Cup history

#4 Final, 1987 World Cup

1987 Cricket World Cup Final: Australia v England

Nov 8, 1987 - Eden Gardens, Kolkata. It was the first World Cup being played outside England. The stadium was packed and almost everyone was cheering for Australia. It was obvious because England had just knocked out India in the semi-finals.

Australia won the toss and elected to bat first. David Boon led the way for them with his 75-run knock. Veletta provided the finish with his 45-runs unbeaten knock off just 31 ballsand Australia managed to put up a decent total of 253 on the board.

England didn't get a good start as opener RT Robinson got out on a golden duck. But Graham Gooch and the No. 3 Bill Athey proceeded with caution and steadied the English chase. At one point, England was cruising towards their first-ever World Cup title, when they had 135-2 on the board with captain Mike Gatting and Bill Athey looking solid on the crease.

But then, Mike Gatting, against the run of play, took a chance to reverse-sweep Allan Border. Gatting got out, caught by the wicketkeeper. The English team lost control of the game after that.

They required 19 in the final 2 overs with 3 wickets in hand. Steve Waugh then delivered an excellent second last over giving away just 2 runs and picking up the wicket of DeFreitas who had scored 17 off just 9 deliveries before he got out.

Requiring 17 in the final over, England ended up 7 runs short of Australia's total. That was the closest they have ever been to a 50-over World Cup title, so far.