1987 Cricket World Cup: The First on Subcontinental Soil

Introduction

The 1987 Cricket World Cup, officially known as the Reliance Cup, was the fourth edition of the Cricket World Cup and marked the first time the tournament was held outside England. Co-hosted by India and Pakistan from October 8 to November 8, 1987, this World Cup was significant for many reasons, including its introduction of 50-over matches (reduced from 60 overs in previous editions) and the emergence of Australia as a cricketing powerhouse. The tournament also saw closer competition and a dramatic final that is remembered as one of the best in World Cup history.

Tournament Overview

• Host Countries: India and Pakistan
• Dates: October 8 – November 8, 1987
• Teams: 8 (Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Zimbabwe)
• Format: Group stage followed by semi-finals and a final
• Matches Played: 27
• Final Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India

Final Match Summary

• Final: Australia vs. England
• Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India
• Date: November 8, 1987
• Result: Australia won by 7 runs
• Australia Score: 253/5 (50 overs)
• England Score: 246/8 (50 overs)
• Man of the Match: David Boon (75 off 125 balls)

Highest Run-Scorers of the Tournament

Highest Wicket-Takers of the Tournament

Hidden and Interesting Facts

• First World Cup Outside England: The 1987 World Cup was the first to be held outside England, reflecting the growing global nature of the sport and the increasing prominence of the subcontinent in international cricket.
• Australia’s Emergence: Australia’s victory in the 1987 World Cup marked the beginning of their dominance in world cricket. Under the captaincy of Allan Border, Australia would go on to become the most successful team in World Cup history.
• Nail-Biting Final: The final between Australia and England was a tense affair, with Australia winning by just 7 runs—the closest margin of victory in a World Cup final until the 2019 edition.
• The Return of Spin: The tournament saw a resurgence of spin bowling, with Indian and Pakistani spinners like Maninder Singh and Abdul Qadir playing crucial roles for their teams. Qadir, in particular, was instrumental in Pakistan’s campaign, taking 12 wickets with his leg-spin.
• England’s Heartbreak: England, despite reaching their second consecutive World Cup final, once again fell short. Mike Gatting’s ill-fated reverse sweep off Allan Border is often cited as a turning point in the final.
• Impact of Shortened Matches: The switch from 60 to 50 overs per side was a significant change, making the matches shorter and more intense. This format has been used in every World Cup since.

Amazing Records

• First Hat-Trick in a World Cup: Chetan Sharma of India took the first-ever hat-trick in a Cricket World Cup during a group match against New Zealand. He dismissed Ken Rutherford, Ian Smith, and Ewen Chatfield to achieve this feat.
• Highest Individual Score: Viv Richards’ 181 against Sri Lanka was the highest individual score in the tournament and remains one of the most dominant innings in World Cup history.
• Most Wickets in a Tournament: Craig McDermott’s 18 wickets were the most by any bowler in the 1987 World Cup, showcasing his importance to Australia’s bowling attack.
• Youngest Player: Sachin Tendulkar, who was only 14 years old at the time, did not play in the tournament but was already making waves in Indian cricket. He would make his debut for India shortly after the World Cup.
• First Match Played on a Sunday: The 1987 World Cup included matches played on Sundays, which was a departure from the previous World Cups where games were played on weekdays. This change was made to attract more spectators and television viewers.

Other Information

• Format: The 1987 World Cup followed a round-robin format with two groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group advanced to the semi-finals.
• Prize Money: The prize money for the winners was £50,000, reflecting the increasing commercialization of the sport.
• Television Coverage: The 1987 World Cup saw extensive television coverage, with matches broadcast live in many countries. This increased the global reach of the tournament and helped popularize cricket further.
• First Use of Neutral Umpires: For the first time in World Cup history, neutral umpires were used in the semi-finals and the final, a move that was appreciated for its fairness and transparency.

Conclusion

The 1987 Cricket World Cup was a pivotal event in cricket history, marking the beginning of the modern era of One Day International cricket. With its introduction of the 50-over format, the tournament set the stage for the future of limited-overs cricket. Australia’s emergence as a world cricket powerhouse, combined with memorable performances from players like Viv Richards, Imran Khan, and Graham Gooch, made this World Cup a memorable chapter in the history of the sport. The 1987 World Cup is still celebrated for its competitive matches, thrilling final, and the new benchmarks it set in international cricket.

Sources

1. ESPNCricinfo – For detailed statistics and match summaries: 1987 Cricket World Cup Overview
2. Wisden – For historical context and records: 1987 World Cup on Wisden
3. ICC Official Website – For achievements and milestones: 1987 World Cup on ICC
4. BBC Sport – For additional insights and match reports: BBC Sport 1987 Cricket World Cup
5. Image Source: hscicdn.com