1987 ICC Cricket World Cup

When the 1987 World Cup arrived in the sub-continer, Australia were definitely not the favourites to win it in fornt of 70000 spectators at the Eden Gardens in Calcutta. The unthinkable happend when Allan Border's young side posted a stunning seven-run victory over Mike Gatting's Englishmen in the final.

1987 ICC Cricket World Cup

The format was the same as that previous cdition, with four teams in two groups playing cach other twice in the league and the top two from cach group advancing to the semi-finals. The tournament was the first to see neutral umpires and the matches were not confined to take the game to the masses. The live television world continue to play a major role in the development of the game in coming years.

Australia opend the tournament with a one-run win over India at Madras (now Chenni). It Was not the tournment for the hosts who had left the party in the semi-finals, leaving millions of fans in India and Pakistan disappointed.

Australia paceman Craig McDermott stopped Pakistan with a five-wicket haul to lead his team to victory at Lahore. India were in the mourning the following day at Bombay when England's Graham swept the host's spinners on way to a superb century which led to his team's win in the other semi-final.

Australia enjoyed the crowed support at the neutral Eden Gardens venus after England had knocked out the hosts. Australia rode on David Boon's 75 to post 253-5, a total which never looked safe during the Bill Athey-Mike Gatting partnership. England were strongly placed at 135-2 before disaster struck.

Gatting (41) attempted a revers-sweep off his counter-part Border, an occasional left-arm spinner, only to give wicket-keeper Greg Dyer a simple catch. England eventually fell short in their second appearance in the final.