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The ICC Cricket World Cup is one of the flagship events of the 50 overs International Cricket Calendar and the most coveted trophy that an international side wants to have in one’s cabinet.
The first World Cup was played in England in June, 1975 and since then 10 more World Cups have been successfully organized.
Around 20 countries have featured in the World Cup at least once but only seven of them have competed in each of the 11 World Cups. Out of these seven, five countries have a World Cup win alongside their name.
West Indies won the first two editions of the World Cup but since then haven’t been able to add to their tally.
Australia is the most successful team in World Cup history- with five World Cups to their names.
The Aussies have featured in seven of the 11 finals in World Cup history- a remarkable feat and a testimony to the domination of Australia in World Cricket.
India have won the cup twice, while Sri Lanka and Pakistan have won a World Cup each.
The Finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup is perhaps the biggest single 50 overs cricket contest in International Cricket and one of the most followed cricket match globally.
Seven International Cricket venues have had the privilege to host 11 World Cup finals and a chance to witness history in the making.
Here is a look at the seven iconic grounds that have hosted the finals of ICC Cricket World Cup.
#7 Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia
The Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia is one of the largest cricket grounds in the World and is home to the tallest lighting towers of any sporting venue across the world. Known as the MCG, the ground hosted two World Cup finals- one in the year 1992 and the other in 2015.
The 1992 Summit clash saw Pakistan take on England at the iconic stadium with the host country already knocked out of the tournament.
Pakistan had set a target of 250 for the England batsmen but against a quality bowling unit led by Wasim Akram, who picked up three wickets for 49 runs to add to his contribution of 33 useful runs with the bat, England were bundled out for 227 runs.
This remains the one and the only World Cup win for Pakistan. England, on the other hand, are yet to win a World Cup.
In 2015, the co-hosts of the tournament, Australia and New Zealand, found themselves in the final. However, the final was scheduled at the MCG.
With around 93 thousand people watching live from the stadium, the Aussies put up their best show, first bowling the New Zealand out for a 183 and then going out there and finishing off the game in a little over 33 overs.
Australia, thus, became the second team to win a World Cup final at their own backyard.
#6 Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India
The Wankhede Stadium is often known as the Mecca of Indian Cricket and has been a host to various massive international moments- the ICC Cricket World Final 2011 and Sachin Tendulkar’s 200th Test and his last Match ever to name a few.
In the 2011 Cricket World Cup final, India were ready to take on neighbor Sri Lanka. Prior to this, both the teams had one World Cup win to their credit.
Having won the toss and electing to bat first, Sri Lanka posted a competitive total of 274 runs, thanks to Mahela Jayawardene’s superb knock under pressure.
With the scoreboard pressure coming in to play and the openers dismissed early, it looked like India could well have to wait for their second title, but first Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli and then Gambhir and MS Dhoni put India in control of the run chase.
Although Gambhir departed, Dhoni and Yuvraj gave a billion people at home a reason to celebrate. Dhoni’s world cup winning six is perhaps the most cherished moment in Indian Cricket history.
#5 Kensington Oval, Bridgetown
Located in the capital city of Bridgetown on the island of Barbados, the ground has a rich history of more than 120 years.
Iconic matches at this venue include the ICC World T20 Final in 2010 and the World Cup Final in 2007. In the latter, Kensington Oval saw the Australian side up against the Sri Lanka side.
In a rain-affected game, the match was reduced to 38 overs a side, prior to the beginning of the first innings itself.
The match was Sri Lanka’s second appearance in a World Cup final and Australia’s sixth. Adam Gilchrist played an unbelievable knock of 149 runs to help make Australia a whopping 281/4 in 38 overs.
In the run chase while Sanath Jayasuriya started from where Gilchrist had left, the moment he and Kumar Sangakkara departed, the match had already drifted away from Sri Lanka's grip.
Amidst a lot of drama surrounding bad light and rains, Australia eventually won the game by a comfortable margin of 53 runs.
#4 Wanderers, Johannesburg, South Africa
The 2003 World Cup final was held at the Wanderers, a wonderful cricket stadium in South Africa. Built in 1956, the stadium has a seating capacity of about 35,000 people.
The Host country was not a participant in the summit clash in 2003 but India and Australia had established a reputation of a good rivalry by this time and this made for an exciting battle between the bat and the ball.
India were perhaps batted out of the match by Australia who made 359 runs for 2 wickets at a time when getting 300 was considered a huge task.
Ricky Ponting’s outstanding century laid the foundation of a massive total and after Sachin Tendulkar departed in the first over itself, the match was practically over.
India could only muster 234 runs and lost to a team who were quite evidently the better side on the day.
#3 Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan
The Gaddafi Stadium in Pakistan is home to the Pakistan Cricket Board and was designed by the famous architect Nasreddin Murat-Khan. The ground was specially renovated for the 1996 World Cup final in which Sri Lanka was lined up against Australia.
Australia batted first and scored 241/7 in 50 overs but led by Aravinda de Silva’s century, Sri Lanka got there in just 46.2 overs.
Prior to this de Silva had also picked up three wickets with the ball and was adjudged the Player of the Match for his remarkable performance in the finals.
#2 Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India
Built in 1864, the Eden Gardens is a testimony to the sport loving culture of West Bengal in India. This is one of the most iconic cricket grounds in the world and has witnessed several notable International matches.
In the 1987 World Cup Final at the Eden Gardens, Australia batted first at this venue and scored 253/5 in 50 overs and in response, England could only manage 248 runs for the loss of 8 wickets.
The match is remembered for David Boon’s 75 runs in the first innings, one that helped Australia put a competitive total and win them the game and also secured him a Player of the Match Award in the finals.
Thus India is the only country in the world which has hosted World Cup finals in two different venues.
#1 Lords, London, England
Known as the home of cricket, Lord’s is the place to be while playing international cricket. The venue for the first three World Cup finals, Lords got to witness its home side participate in only one World Cup Final in 1979.
The finals at Lords were all part of the World Cups which were played in the 60 overs format and thus in this game West Indies made 286/9 in 60 overs and while the crowd was in anticipation of a good performance from the home team, nothing came close to challenge the West Indian dominance of World Cricket at that moment. England were bundled out for 194 runs.
In 1983 though, at the same venue, India lifted the world cup in what appeared as a massive upset on the international cricket platform.
Prior to all this, in 1975, World Cup’s inaugural year, West Indies had beaten Australia by 17 runs at the home of cricket to become the first ever champions in limited overs cricket.
England fans will be looking for a successful world cup campaign in 2019 from the home team.
Which venue hosted your favourite World Cup final match? Sound off in the comments section below!
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