When it comes to cricket’s most iconic battlegrounds, Lord’s Cricket Ground stands in a league of its own. Nestled in the heart of London, this hallowed turf has hosted some of the most monumental moments in cricket history. Among these are the ICC World Cup Finals, where nations clashed not just for silverware but for eternal glory.
Lord’s, often called the “Home of Cricket”, has staged five men’s ICC World Cup finals, each of them etched into the hearts of fans and the annals of the sport. From Kapil Dev’s historic 1983 triumph to the unbelievable drama of 2019, the Lord’s has been both witness and narrator to cricket’s greatest stories. Here are the Top 5 ICC World Cup Finals at Lord’s.
5. West Indies vs Australia – ICC World Cup 1975 Final
Date: June 21, 1975
Winner: West Indies by 17 runs
The inaugural Cricket World Cup Final was a thrilling affair. Clive Lloyd, the Windies skipper, played a captain’s knock, a magnificent 102 off 85 balls, taking West Indies to 291/8, a towering total in that era. Australia, led by Ian Chappell, fought hard, but five run-outs derailed their chase. The match gave birth to West Indies’ dominance and laid the foundation for World Cup folklore.
Match Stats:
| Team | Score | Overs | Top Scorer | Top Bowler |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Indies | 291/8 | 60.0 | Clive Lloyd (102) | Gary Gilmour (5/48) |
| Australia | 274 | 58.4 | Ian Chappell (62) | Keith Boyce (4/50) |
4. West Indies vs England – ICC World Cup 1979 Final
Date: June 23, 1979
Winner: West Indies by 92 runs
The West Indies solidified their cricketing supremacy by lifting their second consecutive World Cup. It was Viv Richards’ blazing 138 and Collis King’s 86 off 66* that powered them to 286/9, a mammoth score in those times. England began solidly in the chase but imploded with five batsmen dismissed for ducks. Joel Garner delivered a legendary spell, 5 wickets in 11 balls, crushing England’s hopes on home turf.
Match Stats:
| Team | Score | Overs | Top Scorer | Top Bowler |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Indies | 286/9 | 60.0 | Viv Richards (138*) | Michael Holding (2/55) |
| England | 194 | 51.0 | Mike Brearley (64) | Joel Garner (5/38) |
3. Australia vs Pakistan – ICC World Cup 1999 Final
Date: June 20, 1999
Winner: Australia by 8 wickets
This was a clinical demolition by one of the most dominant teams in World Cup history. Pakistan, after a strong tournament run, crumbled for just 132 under pressure from the Aussie pace attack led by Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne. Warne, who was named Man of the Match, spun a web around Pakistan’s middle order with 4 wickets. Adam Gilchrist’s explosive 54 ensured a swift chase, as Australia began its golden era with the first of three consecutive World Cups.
Match Stats:
| Team | Score | Overs | Top Scorer | Top Bowler |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 132 | 39.0 | Ijaz Ahmed (22) | Shane Warne (4/33) |
| Australia | 133/2 | 20.1 | Adam Gilchrist (54) | Glenn McGrath (2/13) |
2. India vs West Indies – ICC World Cup 1983 Final
Date: June 25, 1983
Winner: India by 43 runs
In what became a turning point for Indian cricket, Kapil Dev’s underdog Indian team stunned the mighty West Indies to clinch their first-ever World Cup. Defending a modest 183, India bowled with heart and discipline. Madan Lal and Mohinder Amarnath ripped through the Caribbean batting line-up. The moment Kapil Dev took a running catch to dismiss Viv Richards remains one of the most iconic visuals in cricket history. The 1983 win gave birth to a cricketing revolution in India.
Match Stats:
| Team | Score | Overs | Top Scorer | Top Bowler |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 183 | 54.4 | Kris Srikkanth (38) | Mohinder Amarnath (3/12) |
| West Indies | 140 | 52.0 | Vivian Richards (33) | Madan Lal (3/31) |
1. England vs New Zealand – ICC World Cup 2019 Final
Date: July 14, 2019
Winner: England (won on boundary count after Super Over)
Result: Tie (241 each) & Tie in Super Over (15 each)
In perhaps the greatest cricket match of all time, England and New Zealand fought tooth and nail in the 2019 ICC World Cup Final. Both teams scored 241 in their 50 overs. What followed was pure chaos and drama, a Super Over to decide the winner, which also ended in a tie! England edged ahead based on a scarcely-believable rule; they had more boundaries (26 to 17). From Ben Stokes’ defiant 84, the controversial overthrow deflection,* to Jofra Archer’s nerve-wracking Super Over, this match redefined what a final could be.
Match Stats:
| Team | Score | Overs | Top Scorer | Top Bowler |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 241/10 | 50.0 | Ben Stokes (84*) | Chris Woakes (3/37) |
| New Zealand | 241/8 | 50.0 | Henry Nicholls (55) | Lockie Ferguson (3/50) |
| Super Over | England 15 | NZ 15 | Winner: England on boundaries |
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