Jimmy steals the show
West Indians and Indians stamp their authority on the tournament
ESPNcricinfo staff
25-Nov-2010
Kapil rains fours and sixes at picturesque Tunbridge Wells • Trevor Jones/Getty Images
Winston Davis, 7 for 51 v Australia, Headingley
West Indies were the best team around and they were all too eager to storm back after a shock defeat against India. Larry Gomes made 78 and Faoud Bacchus 47, leading them to 252, which was always going to be challenging for Australia against the top-quality West Indian pace attack. The damage, though, came not from Andy Roberts or Michael Holding but Winston Davis, who was seen as a back-up bowler. Davis accounted for Kim Hughes first up, got rid of Graham Yallop and David Hookes when their partnership was looking threatening, and then another four, as Australia fell short by over a hundred. It remained the best bowling performance in a World Cup match till the 2003 tournament.
West Indies were the best team around and they were all too eager to storm back after a shock defeat against India. Larry Gomes made 78 and Faoud Bacchus 47, leading them to 252, which was always going to be challenging for Australia against the top-quality West Indian pace attack. The damage, though, came not from Andy Roberts or Michael Holding but Winston Davis, who was seen as a back-up bowler. Davis accounted for Kim Hughes first up, got rid of Graham Yallop and David Hookes when their partnership was looking threatening, and then another four, as Australia fell short by over a hundred. It remained the best bowling performance in a World Cup match till the 2003 tournament.
Viv Richards, 119 v India, The Oval
There was not much doubt that Viv Richards was the best batsman in the tournament. Smarting after the early loss to India, Richards produced a superb display in the second meeting against India and led West Indies to 282. It was a restrained showing by his standards - only six fours, and a strike rate of well under 100, but he added 101 with Desmond Haynes and 80 in 14 overs with Clive Lloyd, to take West Indies to 282, which proved to be 66 runs more than India were able to muster in the end.
There was not much doubt that Viv Richards was the best batsman in the tournament. Smarting after the early loss to India, Richards produced a superb display in the second meeting against India and led West Indies to 282. It was a restrained showing by his standards - only six fours, and a strike rate of well under 100, but he added 101 with Desmond Haynes and 80 in 14 overs with Clive Lloyd, to take West Indies to 282, which proved to be 66 runs more than India were able to muster in the end.
Kapil Dev, 175*v Zimbabwe, Tunbridge Wells
India went into the match against Zimbabwe knowing a defeat would put their semi-final chances in jeopardy. They got off to a horrible start when Sunil Gavaskar and Kris Srikkanth got ducks. When Kapil Dev walked in, the score was a perilous 9 for 4. Soon it was 17 for 5 and humiliation stared India in the face. From that point on, Kapil Dev produced one of the greatest ODI knocks stroking a spectacular unbeaten 175 with 16 fours and six sixes. Together with Syed Kirmani he added 126 for the ninth wicket and took India to a competitive 266, which they successfully defended. Unfortunately a television strike deprived thousands of a sight of the classic.
India went into the match against Zimbabwe knowing a defeat would put their semi-final chances in jeopardy. They got off to a horrible start when Sunil Gavaskar and Kris Srikkanth got ducks. When Kapil Dev walked in, the score was a perilous 9 for 4. Soon it was 17 for 5 and humiliation stared India in the face. From that point on, Kapil Dev produced one of the greatest ODI knocks stroking a spectacular unbeaten 175 with 16 fours and six sixes. Together with Syed Kirmani he added 126 for the ninth wicket and took India to a competitive 266, which they successfully defended. Unfortunately a television strike deprived thousands of a sight of the classic.
Mohinder Amarnath, 3 for 12India v West Indies,final, Lord's
India came up against the two-time champions and overwhelming favourites, West Indies, in the final. A convincing performance in the semi-final against England was a morale booster but in a big game against the top-quality West Indies side, nobody gave India a chance. When the fast bowlers bundled India out for 183 - Krishnamachari Srikkanth top-scored with 38 and Amarnath made a handy 26 - few thought anything other a West Indian win was a possibility. Amarnath with his gentle medium pace turned out to be the surprise package. He started with the wicket of Jeff Dujon, who had put on 43 with Malcolm Marshall. Amarnath jogged in, hiding the ball deceptively, landed it on the seam, and got a bit of extra bounce. Dujon inched forward and then tried to leave it - except the ball kissed his gloves and crashed onto the base of off stump. Marshall followed, five runs later, and when Amarnath trapped Michael Holding, his final wicket, in front, India had achieved the impossible.
India came up against the two-time champions and overwhelming favourites, West Indies, in the final. A convincing performance in the semi-final against England was a morale booster but in a big game against the top-quality West Indies side, nobody gave India a chance. When the fast bowlers bundled India out for 183 - Krishnamachari Srikkanth top-scored with 38 and Amarnath made a handy 26 - few thought anything other a West Indian win was a possibility. Amarnath with his gentle medium pace turned out to be the surprise package. He started with the wicket of Jeff Dujon, who had put on 43 with Malcolm Marshall. Amarnath jogged in, hiding the ball deceptively, landed it on the seam, and got a bit of extra bounce. Dujon inched forward and then tried to leave it - except the ball kissed his gloves and crashed onto the base of off stump. Marshall followed, five runs later, and when Amarnath trapped Michael Holding, his final wicket, in front, India had achieved the impossible.