5 most thrilling games in World Cup history

The cricket World Cup, since its inception in 1975, has been the centre of some of the most thrilling clashes in the history of ODI cricket. There is that extra intensity in a World Cup game. The best competing for the ultimate title.

World Cup 2019 is now less than a 100-days away. And with only 10 teams competing, the tournament is definitely set-up to be more intense, with a lot more thrilling games than the previous editions in the recent past.

As we wait excitingly for the 2019 World Cup to begin, let's go down the memory lane to relive some of the most thrilling games in World Cup history, the ones which went down to the wire.

#5 Match #37, Group Stage, 2003 World Cup

Andy Bichel of Australia celebrates the wicket of Michael Vaughan of England

It was Match 37 at St. George's Park, Port Elizabeth of the 2003 World Cup. At stake was England's place in the super-six and they were up against arch-rivals and the mighty Australians. Nasser Hussain won the toss and preferred defending a total over chasing one.

His decision to bat first went well until Andy Bichel was introduced into the attack. After that, the English scorecard went from 66/0 in 9.4 overs to 87/5 in 17.5 overs. With some gutsy resistance from Flintoff and AJ Stewart, England managed to go past 200 and posted a target of 205 for the Australians. Andy Bichel finished with 7 wickets in his 10 overs, giving away only 20 runs.

The chase proved to be all but easy for the Australians, courtesy Andy Caddick. The Australians were reduced to 48-4 inside 9 overs. The top 4, all falling to Andy Caddick, who seemed to have emulated his namesake in the opposition. At the end of the 38th over, Australians were 135-8, needing 69 more runs.

It was Michael Bevan on one end, but it seemed that he'll eventually end up being short of partners on the other end. But, Andy Bichel was far from done for the day. Both started moving steadily towards the target while the English supporters kept eagerly waiting for the couple of wicket deliveries which never got bowled that day.

It came down to 14 in the last 2 overs. Andy Bichel scored a six and a four, and only 2 runs were needed off the last over. The first 2 balls of the last over were dots, but the game was not up for any more surprises. So, Michael Bevan just crashed the 4th ball into the boundary, and along with it the English dream of winning a World Cup, for four more years.

#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.

#3 Second Semi-final, 1996 World Cup

Shane Warne picked up 4 wickets and was awarded the Player of the Match

The third game on the list featuring the Kangaroos. It was March 14, 1996, and the venue - IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali. As conventional wisdom goes, win the toss and bat first in a pressure game, and that is exactly what Australia did.

But the decision backfired this time and they were reduced to 15-4 before Michael Bevan and Stuart Law started the rebuilding process. In their 50 overs, Australia managed to post 207 on the board.

Unlike the Australians, West Indies got off to a great start and were in complete control of the match until the 42nd over. But then, they choked. From 165-2 they were reduced to 187-7. But, they still had the captain Richie Richardson on one end.

Needing 10 off the final over with Richardson on strike and still 2 wickets in hand, West Indies thought that they could get over the line.

Richardson scored a boundary off the first ball. With just 6 needed off 5 balls, Richardson tried to steal a single on the next ball and got his partner Ambrose run-out. Walsh walked-in next, but, Damien Fleming was too good for him as he got his stump rattled on the very first ball he faced. For West Indies, the dream of playing their 4th World Cup final was over as they lost by 4 runs.

#2 First Semi-final, 2015 World Cup

New Zealand v South Africa: Semi Final - 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup

This result was surely a heart-wrenching one for Proteas fans. And this was not the first time they lost at a crucial stage in the World Cup.

It was March 24, 2015, at Eden Park, Auckland. South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first. Both the openers were sent back to the dressing room inside 8 overs with just 31 on the board.

From No. 3 onwards, the contributions were significant enough to take the total to 281-5 at the end of 43 overs. If it was not for the rain, there was certainly a 350+ total on the cards as AB de Villiers finished with an unbeaten 65 off just 45 balls.

When the Blackcaps came on to bat, the target was revised to 298 runs in 43 overs. Brendon McCullum went berserk and scored a 22-ball-fifty and more importantly, provided the momentum New Zealand required to pull off a steep chase like this one.

But once he was dismissed, unlike the South African innings, nobody in the top 4 really contributed significantly. At one point, they were reduced to 149 for 4. But then, Grant Elliott and Corey Anderson began to stitch together a partnership while keeping the required run rate under 9 at all times.

In the final over, 12 runs were required. The ball was with Dale Steyn who was certainly not having the best of days. The veteran Daniel Vettori was on strike. Steyn conceded just 2 runs in the first 2 balls, however, on the 3rd delivery, Vettori managed to squeeze out a yorker to send it to the third man fence.

With 6 needed off 3 balls, de Kock missed a run out as Elliott sneaked a bye and got on strike.

5 needed off 2. Elliott then managed to hit the next ball over long-on for a six and the Kiwis managed to make it to their first World cup final while completing the highest successful run-chase in a World Cup knockout game.

#1 Second Semi-final, 1999 World Cup

The most-thrilling finish, not just in World Cups but arguably, in all of ODI cricket

It was the English summer of 1999. After 3 editions outside, the World Cup had returned to England, the home of Cricket. Pakistan had made it to the finals and on June 17, 1999, Edgbaston, Birmingham was ready to see a more even-sided clash than what transpired at Old Trafford the previous day.

South Africa won the toss and elected to field first. The decision turned in their favour as Australia were bowled out in the 50th over with just 213 on the board. There were 5 batsmen who scored ducks whereas 3 scored 20 or less.

South Africa were eyeing their chance to reach the final for the first time. But their start didn't go very well. 4 wickets collapsed with the team total at 61. But then Jacques Kallis and Jonty Rhodes revived the innings and took the team to 145 in 40.2 overs.

In the final 2 overs, 18 runs were required from 12 deliveries with 3 wickets in hand. Glenn McGrath took 2 wickets, created a half-chance for the only remaining wicket, and gave away 9 runs in the 49th over.

The final over was with Damien Fleming. He had successfully pulled off a similar feat in the 1996 World Cup semifinal against West Indies. 9 were required off the final 6 and Lance Klusener was on strike. The first ball was hit for a four through the covers. The next ball again went for a boundary. Scores were tied and South Africa needed just 1 run off 4 deliveries to enter the final.

All 9 fielders were within the 30-yard saving the single. The 3rd ball of the over was a dot. As the 4th ball was delivered, both Allan Donald and Lance Klusener found themselves on the same end. Allan Donald was run out and Australia advanced to yet another World Cup final (since they finished higher in the super 6 points table), and South Africa 'choked' once again.