Australia has always been a powerhouse at the Cricket World Cup, and they will be hoping to return to former glories this October. That’s because the vaunted tournament returns later this year, four years on from Ben Stokes’ heroics at Lord’s. The New Zealand-born Englishman hit a spellbinding 88 not out in that year’s showpiece against the nation of his birth, before going on to steer the English over the line in a Super Over.
The last three winners of the Cricket World Cup have all been the host nation. That was the case in England in 2019, Australia in 2015 (more on that later), and India back in 2011. This time around, it will be India hosting once more, and the Men in Blue will be hoping that the support of over one billion Indians will be enough to get them over the line. However, they will have challengers, namely in the shape of the reigning champions and the record champions, Australia.
Australia and cricketing success go hand in hand. They have clung to the famous tiny urn awarded to the Ashes series winner for the last eight years, a run that will go on following this summer’s performances. Despite squandering a 2-0 series lead, the Baggy Greens eventually drew 2-2 with England, meaning that they retained the urn as they were the holders.
It isn’t just the Ashes that have been keeping Aussie cricket fans entertained, however. Those from the land down under are famed for their love of slot machines and have been flocking to play cricket legends online pokies on sites like Joe Fortune in their droves. The game is based around cricket and has received rave reviews from players who have been trying to pass the time between the end of the Ashes in August and the start of the World Cup on October 5th.
Luckily for them, that wait is almost over. With the World Cup getting bigger and bigger on the horizon, we thought that now would be the perfect time to take a look at Australia’s previous successes in the cricket world.
2015
The 2015 Cricket World Cup was hosted in Australia and New Zealand. As such then, it was only fitting that those two would make it all the way to the final and battle it out against each other. The pair would square off in the 100,000-capacity MCG, and it was the Aussies who would dismantle their local rivals.
The Kiwis actually defeated the Baggy Greens on the pool stage as they topped Pool A with a perfect six wins out of six records. However, the Aussies would not forget, and once the final approached, they dismantled their opponents. Michael Clarke’s side were in scintillating form and bowled their opponents out for a meager 183 before racing to the target in just 33.1 overs. James Faulkner, Mitchell Starc, and Mitchell Johnson were instrumental in their nation’s success, skittling the New Zealand middle order and allowing their batsman to finish the job.
2007
Back in 2007, the Australian golden generation was ending. The likes of Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, and Glenn McGrath had dominated the sport for over a decade. However, with them nearing the age of 40, their time at the pinnacle was ending. But they wouldn’t exit before they had one last hurrah. That came at the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies.
Gilchrist’s unbeaten 149 off 104 balls propelled Australia to a score of 281, which was impressive for the slow, dry surface that both teams had to play on. Their opponents Sri Lanka ultimately fell short by 53 runs as they lost wickets at quick intervals during their chase. The likes of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene were unable to prevent the Aussies from romping to glory, their third straight World Cup triumph.
2003
Ricky Ponting’s men continued the legacy with a dominant display against the Indian side at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. Ponting hit an unbeaten 140, and Damien Martyn’s 88 helped Australia post 359 runs. India’s chase faltered as they lost quick wickets, and despite Sachin Tendulkar’s brilliant 143, Australia won by 125 runs, getting their hands on the Cup for the third time.
1999
An electrifying final that saw Australia taking on Pakistan at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, England. Chasing a mammoth target of 133 runs, Pakistan crumbled under intense pressure with Glenn McGrath’s incredible three-wicket haul. Shane Warne was the pick of the bowlers, and Australia emerged victorious by eight wickets, winning their second Cup.
1987
In the first-ever edition of the tournament, Australia finished as runners-up and wouldn’t reach a final for another 12 years. That all changed in 1987 however as they took on England in the final at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India. It was a memorable match where David Boon scored a half-century, and Mike Veletta smashed 45 off 31 balls, helping Australia reach the target of 254 runs. Allan Border’s men won by seven runs, marking their first-ever World Cup victory.
Content Writing Intern In Skyblogs Digital.
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