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| 1987 Cricket World Cup | |
|---|---|
| Name | 1987 Cricket World Cup |
| Administrator | International Cricket Council |
| Cricket format | One Day International |
| Tournament format | Round-robin and Knockout |
| Host | India and Pakistan |
| Dates | 8 October – 8 November 1987 |
| Matches | 27 |
| Champions | Australia |
| Runner up | England |
| Player of the series | David Boon |
| Most runs | Graham Gooch (471) |
| Most wickets | Craig McDermott (18) |
1987 Cricket World Cup was the fourth edition of the international Cricket World Cup staged in India and Pakistan from 8 October to 8 November 1987; it was the first time the tournament was held outside England, featuring One Day International play and a mix of established and emerging Test nations. The tournament saw Australia claim their first title, defeating England in the final at Eden Gardens, while notable performers included Graham Gooch, David Boon, and Craig McDermott.
The decision to award hosting rights to India and Pakistan followed deliberations by the International Cricket Council and member boards such as the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Pakistan Cricket Board, marking a strategic shift away from the England cricket team-centric legacy of earlier tournaments; this bid involved negotiation with broadcasters including Doordarshan and arrangements with regional cricket bodies like the BCCI and PCB. Political and logistical discussions referenced relationships among leaders like Zia-ul-Haq and officials from Indian Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports-era administrations, while regional infrastructure plans drew on stadia histories such as Eden Gardens and National Stadium, Karachi.
Eight teams participated: hosts India and Pakistan, alongside Australia, England, New Zealand, West Indies, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe; qualification reflected automatic entries and invitee status determined by the International Cricket Council membership and performance in prior tournaments like the 1983 Cricket World Cup. The inclusion of Zimbabwe followed their rise through competitions overseen by the Marylebone Cricket Club and regional associations such as the Zimbabwe Cricket body.
The tournament retained a 50-over per side structure consistent with the One Day International format as played in events organized by the International Cricket Council; teams were split into two groups of four for a double round-robin leading to semifinals and a final, with points and net run rate applied per precedents from matches involving teams like Australia and West Indies. Venues included Eden Gardens, Feroz Shah Kotla, MA Chidambaram Stadium, M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, National Stadium, Karachi, Gaddafi Stadium, and Arbab Niaz Stadium among others, each managed by local cricket associations and municipal authorities.
Each nation's squad combined established internationals and newer players drawn from domestic circuits such as the Ranji Trophy, Sheffield Shield, and Shell Shield; notable selections included captains Allan Border for Australia, Mike Gatting for England, Gordon Greenidge and Viv Richards for West Indies, Dilip Vengsarkar for India, and Imran Khan for Pakistan. Teams balanced pace bowlers like Craig McDermott and Winston Davis with spinners such as Anil Kumble-era predecessors and batting leaders including Graham Gooch and John Wright.
Group A and Group B each featured competitive fixtures where results by sides such as Australia, India, England, and New Zealand determined semifinalists; standout performances included high-scoring innings from Graham Gooch and pivotal bowling spells from Craig McDermott. Matches were influenced by pitch conditions at venues like Eden Gardens and Gaddafi Stadium, and by tactical decisions involving captains such as Allan Border and Mike Gatting, with regional crowd support from cities like Calcutta and Lahore shaping atmospheres.
The semifinals pitched top qualifiers against one another in knockout matches that tested depth in batting and bowling units; Australia progressed through a semifinal victory orchestrated by players like Dean Jones and David Boon, while England reached the final through performances by Graham Gooch and support from fielders and bowlers including Derek Pringle. Umpiring appointments by officials from the International Cricket Council and match refereeing practices influenced outcomes alongside day/night scheduling debates that involved broadcasters.
The final at Eden Gardens saw Australia face England in a match defined by disciplined bowling from Australians including Craig McDermott and resolute batting from David Boon, whose form throughout the tournament earned recognition; Graham Gooch's tournament-leading run tally featured in England's campaign but could not prevent Australia's triumph. Tactical captaincy by Allan Border and decisions on field placements and bowling changes shaped the match, which concluded with Australia clinching the title and lifting the trophy amid celebrations involving team staff and supporters.
The tournament's legacy included Australia's first Cricket World Cup title, individual accolades such as David Boon's player of the series and Graham Gooch's most runs, and bowling achievements including Craig McDermott's wickets, all recorded in International Cricket Council statistics; the event influenced future World Cups hosted by India and Pakistan as well as the 1992 Cricket World Cup innovations pioneered by administrators like Dennis Lillee-era advisers. It also affected the careers of players such as Allan Border, Mike Gatting, Imran Khan, and Viv Richards, while prompting discussions within the International Cricket Council and national boards about format, scheduling, and global expansion involving member nations including Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.
Category:Cricket World Cup tournaments Category:1987 in cricket