ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Australia vs England in past World Cup matches
ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Australia vs England in past World Cup matches
There’s a full house of around 100,000 expected when the cricket’s traditional rivals – Australia and England square off on the first day of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Ironically, it’s the Valentine’s Day and one can be assured that their will little love shown on the field between the two rivals and their passionate fans. On form, Australia do have the upper hand, having beaten England on all three occasions in the recently concluded tri-series.
Head-to-head, Australia have played England 130 times in One-Day Internationals (ODIs), having won 76 times and on 49 occasions they have ended in a losing cause. The sides have featured in two tied matches. Even in World Cup matches, Australia have fared better, winning four of the six matches.
Suvajit Mustafi looks at the past encounters between the arch-rivals in World Cup games.
- World Cup 1975 – Leeds | semi-final
In what was a very difficult wicket to bat on, Gary Gilmour ripped through the England batting, bowling them out for just 96. Despite that it wasn’t an easy chase for the Australians, who were reduced to 39 for six.
Gilmour then added 55 for the seventh wicket with Doug Walters to see Australia through to the final. A total of 18 batsmen batted in the game and Gilmour scored 28, at a strike rate of 100. No other batsman who managed to face 10 balls at least could score above a strike rate of 60.
Brief scores:
England 93 in 36.2 overs (Gary Gilmour 6-14; Max Walker 3-22) lost to Australia 94 for 6 in 28.4 overs (Gary Gilmour 28*; Chris Old 3-29) by four wickets
- World Cup 1979 – Lord’s | Group match
Earlier that year, England had routed Australia 5-1 in the Ashes played in Australia. This was a different format. The match was played in front of a sell out crowd and much to the English fans’ expectations; the home side won the match comfortably.
Thanks to some real tight bowling from England, Australia could only manage 159 and in the end it proved to be an easy chase for the home team.
Brief scores:
Australia 159 for 9 in 60 overs (Andrew Hilditch 47) lost to England 160 for 4 in 47.1 overs (Mike Brearley 44, Graham Gooch 53) by six wickets
- World Cup 1987 – Eden Gardens | Final
England and Australia squared off in the World Cup final at a packed Eden Gardens. Australia clinched the thriller to win by seven runs to win the World Cup for the first time. Electing to bat, Australia put up 253 on the board. While David Boon anchored the innings with 75, it was Mike Veletta’s late cameo of 45 from 31 balls that helped Australia cross the usually safe 250 mark.
England were 135 for two after 31 overs and looked set for the target but English skipper Mike Gatting made a complete mess of the moment, when he attempted an unusual reverse sweep off the bowling of his counterpart Allan Border, which looped into wicketkeeper John Dyer’s gloves. It’s an act still not forgiven by English fans. England pressed the panic button and Australia reciprocated.
Brief scores:
Australia 253 for 5 in 50 overs (David Boon 75, Mike Veletta 45) bt England 246 for 8 in 50 overs (Bill Athey 58, Mike Gatting 41, Allan Lamb 45) by seven runs
- World Cup 1992 – Sydney | League match
Ian Botham never liked to miss a chance of having a crack at his old enemy. In this World Cup, he was among the aging legends but that didn’t stop him having a go at the Australians.
With the ball, he picked up four wickets to bowl out Australia for 171 and then with the bat he scored a 53, in what was an easy chase. Australia had a disappointing campaign and England made it to the final again, this time they were beaten by Pakistan.
Brief scores:
Australia 171 in 49 overs (Tom Moody 51; Ian Botham 4-31) lost to England 173 for 2 in 40.5 overs (Graham Gooch 58, Ian Botham 53) by eight wickets
- World Cup 2003 – Port Elizabeth | Group match
Australia were by far the best team in the world then and this match did bring memories of the 1975 World Cup semi-final between both these teams and Andy Bichel went on to better Gary Gilmour’s heroics. His stint with the ball with the ball restricted England to 204 from their stipulated 50 overs. Had it not been for the 90 runs sixth wicket stand in between Alec Stewart and Andrew Flintoff, even 120 looked distant. England were reduced to 87 for five, from being 66 for no loss in the tenth over. It was Bichel’s day and he picked up seven wickets.
With a 200 plus total on the board, Nasser Hussain’s England made life difficult for the Australian batsmen. Andy Caddick wrecked the top order and with 135 for eight, Australia stared at defeat and the only man who could save them was Michael Bevan. He once again stood and delivered when all chips were down and added 73 with Bichel for the ninth wicket. Bichel followed up his bowling heroics with an attacking 34 off 36 balls. In the end Australians proved it why they were the best team in the world.
Brief scores:
England 204 (Alec Stewart 46, Andrew Flintoff 45; Andy Bichel 7-20) lost to Australia 208 for 8 in 49.4 overs (Michael Bevan 74*; Andy Caddick 4-35) by two wickets
- World Cup 2007 – North Sound (Antigua) | Super Eight match
Australia were no doubt a formidable side and the favourites for the tournament but England were spirited, why not? Almost two months prior to this encounter, England had beaten Australia to win the tri-series at latter’s home, which indeed was an incredible feat.
At one point of time, England looked good for a 300 plus score but frequent wickets let them down. Riding on Kevin Pietersen’s hundred, they managed 247, which the Australian batsmen didn’t have much difficulty in chasing down.
Brief scores:
England 247 in 49.5 overs (Ian Bell 77, Kevin Pietersen 104; Nathan Bracken 3-33, Shaun Tait 3-41, Glenn McGrath 3-62) lost to Australia 248 for 3 in 47.2 overs (Matthew Hayden 41, Ricky Ponting 86, Michael Clarke 55*) by seven wickets
Head-to-head in all ODIs
Played: 130 Aus: 76 Eng: 49 Tied: 2
Most Runs: Ricky Ponting (Aus) Runs: 1598 (39 ODIs) Average: 48.4
Most Wickets: Brett Lee (Aus) Wickets: 65 (37 ODIs) Average: 24.2
Head-to-head in World Cups
Played: 6 Aus: 4 Eng: 3
Most Runs: Graham Gooch (Eng) Runs: 146 (3 ODIs) Average: 48.7
Most Wickets: Andy Bichel (Aus) Wickets: 7 (1 ODI) Average: 2.9
(Suvajit Mustafi consumes cricket for lunch, fiction for dinner and munches numerous other snacks throughout the day. Yes, jack of several trades, all Suvajit dreamt of was being India’s World Cup winning skipper but ended up being a sports writer, author, screenwriter, director, copywriter, graphic designer, sports marketer, strategist, entrepreneur, philosopher and traveller. Donning so many hats, it’s cricket which gives him the ultimate high and where he finds solace. He can be followed at @RibsGully and rivu7)