The Best WC Final Knock

[Godard]

What about 1983 WC final. Close, but not as close as Aus-Sa 99 SF, or Eng-NZ 19, but it was almost a minnow level side against the greatest ODI team ever assembled, and after the 1st innings the task was even more Herculean. And in context of a nation’s cricketing development and future, it was mightily important. They had basically won one match in WCs, prior to that WC. 1996 Sl was an underdog win, this was something even more surprising.

 

[Burgey]

after 3 years of roadfests it was pleasing to see an even contest between bat and ball in the final. the only reason why you’d feel that way is because of how odis have been for most of that decade. there were lots of interesting battles in the final you’re neglecting

The whole 2019 WC was full of good contests. I remember in the lead up everyone was saying it would be 300 vs 300 every game. When it didn’t turn out that way it became a great tournament

 

[subshakerz]

after 3 years of roadfests it was pleasing to see an even contest between bat and ball in the final. the only reason why you’d feel that way is because of how odis have been for most of that decade. there were lots of interesting battles in the final you’re neglecting

Didn't want to make it seem that the final wasn't interesting, of course it was, but it was a 'slow burner' in the sense that it built up to an epic climax with a sort of grind fight that swayed back and forth.

The 99 semi was just box office from the beginning though, literally with Mark Waugh lost in the first over. You had Donald and Pollock in epic form, then Bevan and Waugh rebuilt Australia, then SA got off to a solid start before Warne did his magic, then all the twists leading to the end with Klusener. As a game of quality cricket with several elite performances, to me it is unmatched.

 

[Burgey]

but it was almost a minnow level side against the greatest ODI team ever assembled,

The 1999-2007 Aus ODI teams didn’t play in the 1983 WC

 

[subshakerz]

The whole 2019 WC was full of good contests. I remember in the lead up everyone was saying it would be 300 vs 300 every game. When it didn’t turn out that way it became a great tournament

So was the 2011 WC, many close contests in that as well.

 

[Godard]

The 1999-2007 Aus ODI teams didn’t play in the 1983 WC

For me 1979-83 WI teams slightly better than that. The greatest ODI batsmen and bowler in one team, great bowling attack apart from that. Great openers, good middle order.Only really lacked a great spinner, but then Aus didn’t have any close to Viv Richards as a batsmen. Maybe equal?

 

[Socerer 01]

The whole 2019 WC was full of good contests. I remember in the lead up everyone was saying it would be 300 vs 300 every game. When it didn’t turn out that way it became a great tournament

the Pak England series just 2 months before that on same grounds had 350 being par scores

 

[Godard]

We could also do a thread about the best test matches we’ve seen.

 

[wpdavid]

I feel Lloyd has a much better case now, with Gilly and Aravinda behind. Lloyd faced the best attack any of them did(although Aravinda is close)peak Lillee and Thomson with Gilmour on top, came in a very bad situation, was burdened with captaincy also, was the main aggressor throughout the innings. Plus the first WC final.

Also Max Walker. It really was a top Australian attack.

 

[Ashes81]

I'm lucky enough, or to put it another way, old enough ?, to have seen all the knocks in question and they were all brilliant in their own way.

There's 2 that stick out for me and they're - Lloyd and Stokes.

102 off 85 doesn't look that special now but in those days it certainly was. Big Clive came in with the W Indies in trouble and by the standards of the time, he took a top attack apart. Lloyd was such a powerful player - we was a monster of a man, he could brutalise an attack.

Stokes' innings was very different but what makes it stand out for me was the pressure it was played under.

Not only was it a home WC final against a very good side, but he was also playing against the history of England's 3 lost finals.

This was our time to win, to banish our precious failures and finally bring the WC home.

We were the best team in the world and it looked like we were going to fail at the final hurdle again.

Stokes' innings wasn't fluent, the pitch saw to that, but by sheer will power, belligerence and a never say die attitude he got the job done via the super over.

I don't think you could play an ODI innings under more pressure.

 

[Socerer 01]

I'm lucky enough, or to put it another way, old enough ?, to have seen all the knocks in question and they were all brilliant in their own way.

There's 2 that stick out for me and they're - Lloyd and Stokes.

102 off 85 doesn't look that special now but in those days it certainly was. Big Clive came in with the W Indies in trouble and by the standards of the time, he took a top attack apart. Lloyd was such a powerful player - we was a monster of a man, he could brutalise an attack.

Stokes' innings was very different but what makes it stand out for me was the pressure it was played under.

Not only was it a home WC final against a very good side, but he was also playing against the history of England's 3 lost finals.

This was our time to win, to banish our precious failures and finally bring the WC home.

We were the best team in the world and it looked like we were going to fail at the final hurdle again.

Stokes' innings wasn't fluent, the pitch saw to that, but by sheer will power, belligerence and a never say die attitude he got the job done via the super over.

I don't think you could play an ODI innings under more pressure.

the last part isn’t strictly true, the context and pressure around Dhoni was even bigger than Stokes imo

 

[Shri]

makes me think.

Careful don't hurt yourself

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Grant Elliott, 83, 2015

Next will be a thread for best semi knock.

No, the 83 was a brave run a ball effort (along with 40 from Taylor) as NZ lost the final to Australia.

He got 84* vs SA in the semi, and 83 in the final.

 

[subshakerz]

No, the 83 was a brave run a ball effort (along with 40 from Taylor) as NZ lost the final to Australia.

He got 84* vs SA in the semi, and 83 in the final.

Oh. I don't want to rub salt in old wounds by bringing up that final.

 

[subshakerz]

the last part isn’t strictly true, the context and pressure around Dhoni was even bigger than Stokes imo

Stokes was easily under the same amount of pressure if not more. If Dhoni went, India could still have won. If Stokes went, game over for England.

 

[subshakerz]

I'm lucky enough, or to put it another way, old enough ?, to have seen all the knocks in question and they were all brilliant in their own way.

There's 2 that stick out for me and they're - Lloyd and Stokes.

102 off 85 doesn't look that special now but in those days it certainly was. Big Clive came in with the W Indies in trouble and by the standards of the time, he took a top attack apart. Lloyd was such a powerful player - we was a monster of a man, he could brutalise an attack.

Stokes' innings was very different but what makes it stand out for me was the pressure it was played under.

Not only was it a home WC final against a very good side, but he was also playing against the history of England's 3 lost finals.

This was our time to win, to banish our precious failures and finally bring the WC home.

We were the best team in the world and it looked like we were going to fail at the final hurdle again.

Stokes' innings wasn't fluent, the pitch saw to that, but by sheer will power, belligerence and a never say die attitude he got the job done via the super over.

I don't think you could play an ODI innings under more pressure.

Wow some great firsthand experience thanks for sharing.

 

[Socerer 01]

Stokes was easily under the same amount of pressure if not more. If Dhoni went, India could still have won. If Stokes went, game over for England.

i meant the pressure outside the pitch. in the match Stokes was under more pressure, I’ll admit that

i would not say game over though, England batted very deep in the world cup. they had Rashid at 10 who has fc centuries