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World Cup in India/Pak. Oct/Nov 1987 - Summary Report
1987 TOURNAMENT
The fourth World Cup saw a move away from England, with
India and Pakistan co-hosting the event, which saw the same
cast of teams as in 1983, Zimbabwe having emerged victorious
from the ICC trophy once again. As before, the preliminary
matches featured two groups of four teams, who played each
other twice.
The surprise of the qualifying stages was West Indies'
failure to reach the semi-finals. First England, then
Pakistan conjured unlikely last-over victories against the
former champions, and not even a record score of 360 for 4
(Richards 181) against Sri Lanka could save them.
The co-hosts were playing for a 'dream final' between
India and Pakistan at the vast Eden Gardens ground at
Calcutta, but Australia put paid to these fond hopes by
defeating Pakistan in the Lahore semi-final. With Miandad
and Imran going well, Pakistan seemed set to overhaul
Australia's 267 for 8, but four quick wickets from tearaway
fast bowler McDermott, who finished with 5 for 44, ended
Pakistan's challenge. England dealt a similar blow to
India's hopes in the second semi-final at Bombay, where
Gooch's 115, which featured many adventurous sweep shots
against India's spin-oriented attack, was the mainstay of a
total of 254 for 6. Despite 64 from the graceful Azharuddin,
India fell 35 runs short, with veteran offspinner Hemmings
taking 4 for 52.
In the final, Australia got off to a flying start
against some wayward early bowling. Boon's 75, aided and
abetted by useful contribution from Jones, Border, and Mike
Veletta, took Australia to 253 for 5 in 50 overs. Despite
the early loss of Robinson for a duck, England seemed set
fair for victory after Athey's careful 58. Gatting and Lamb
both reached 40, but one rash act from the England captain
cost him his wicket and probably cost his side the match.
Gatting essayed a reverse sweep at the first ball bowled by
his rival captain Border, and the ball ballooned up to be
caught by the wicketkeeper. Border also disposed of
Downton, and the tailenders could not muster quite enough
runs to take England to victory, Australia's eventual
winning margin of seven runs being the narrowest in any of
the four World Cup finals so far.
(Source: Wisden Cricket Monthly, February 1992)
Thanks to Bhanu Kapoor (kapoor@hc.ti.com) on r.s.c.
Contributed by The Management (help@*nodak.edu)
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