An unbeatable World Cup XI featuring one legend from each Champion team

Middle-order

#3 David Boon (Australia - 1987)

David Boon scored five half-centuries in 1987 World Cup

One key person behind the Australian domination in the one-day format which started in the late 80s was David Boon. He was the highest run-getter for Australia in their maiden World Cup triumph of 1987.

In 8 matches, he scored 447 runs at an average of 55.88. He was Australia's most consistent batsman of the tournament scoring five half-centuries and a 49 in 9 outings. Boon's man of the match performance of 75 runs in the Reliance World Cup finale helped Australia beat England by 7 runs.

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#4 Ricky Ponting (Australia - 1999, 2003, 2007)

Ricky Ponting led Australia to the World Cup title in 2003 and 2007

With 1743 runs to his name, Ricky Ponting is next only to Sachin Tendulkar in terms of the runs scored in World Cup history. After winning the 1999 World Cup under the captaincy of Steve Waugh, Ponting later went lead his side to victory in the next two World Cups in 2003 and 2007. With a 92.85 win-percentage, Ponting remains the most successful captain in the history of the tournament.

Ponting, who averages 45.87 in the quadrennial tournament, has scored 5 centuries and 6 half-centuries. His highest score of 140* came in the 2003 World Cup final against India at the Wanderers. His century propelled Australia to a huge total of 359, which was 125 runs more than what India could manage during the chase.

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#5 Sir Vivian Richards (West Indies - 1975, 1979)

Sir Vivian Richards is the most devastating batsman in ODI history

Sir Vivian Richards has the highest average for a World Cup winning player with more than 1000 runs. In 21 World Cup innings, he scored a total of 1013 runs at an incredible average of 63.31. In the three World Cups that he was part of, Richards could notch up three centuries and five half-centuries.

His Man of the Match performance of 138* in the 1979 World Cup final against England helped the Windies win their second title. His 139 partnership with Collis King for the fifth wicket title the match in favour of Windies. As a result of the partnership, the defending champions could post a total of 286 and ended up winning the match by 92 runs.

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#6 Clive Loyd (West Indies - 1975, 1979)

Clive Lloyd with the 1975 World Cup Trophy

Clive Lloyd, a hard-hitting batsman, was one of the most successful captains in World Cup history. In the 17 matches that he led the Windies, his team lost only two matches, both against India in the 1983 World Cup, once in their opening match and then again in the finale.

In 11 innings, the legendary West Indian captain scored a total of 393 runs at a healthy average of 43.67. His only century came against Australia in the 1975 World Cup final. His 85-ball 102 helped the Windies post 291 runs in the first innings. During the chase, Lloyd managed his troops excellently by restricting Australia to 274 and his side win the first ever World Cup.