WORLD CUP MOMENTS NO.12: Australia begin successful dynasty in 1987

Allan Border's side had no form heading to India and Pakistan but a squad unpinned by some stars of the future secured victory would create a successful spell at the top

Though it might seem hard to believe now, there was a time when Australia would approach a World Cup without any hope of leaving with the title.

They may have lost the inaugural final to West Indies at Lord's in 1975 but they approached the fourth edition in India and Pakistan 12 years later devoid of ambition, togetherness and any expectation that they could indeed end their wait to topple the world.

Recent form saw them regarded as cannon-fodder in the eight-team tournament in 1987. Without a Test series win in four years or a one-day series success in their last five outings, the Baggy Green could barely be regarded as a threat.

But amid such indifferent displays, the squad became unified. This was a group very much in its infancy in terms of their international careers. Steve Waugh and Tom Moody were just 22; Andrew Zesers was just out of babygrow aged 20.

Coupled with that was a number of individuals with demons to exercise. Geoff Marsh, woeful captain Allan Border and David Boon had all been part of Australia's troubles.

^{Boon was imperious throughout the tournament}

Despite failing to win a game in the quadrangular series with West Indies, England and Pakistan the previous year, a tied Test series with India had opened the door for some renewed optimism ahead of the tournament, even if they remained one of the outsiders.

As most successful tournament campaigns do, it began with a dramatic and morale-boosting win, this time over one of the co-hosts India. Marsh made a timely century in Chennai as the visitors set 271 to win.

Kapil Dev's side were aiming to win back-to-back tournaments have ignited cricket in the region four years earlier and were 207 for 2 and seemingly cruising to victory. Seamer Craig McDermott had other ideas though and took 4-56 to rip apart the middle-order. Steve Waugh wrapped up the win with from the penultimate ball in the final over to leave India two short of victory.

While seven nations earned direct entry to the tournament via their status as full members, next opponents Zimbabwe had been forced to scrap for their place via the ICC Trophy, beating the Netherlands in the final. Nevertheless, they were overwhelmed by a buoyant Australia, who then edged to another narrow win over neighbours New Zealand as their ability to defend to modest totals came to the fore.

Though India did get their revenge in the reverse fixture the damage had been done and with Marsh and Boon in the runs again before the preliminary stage ended, Australia were standing in good stead.

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Progressing in second place from Group A, Australia were paired with another of the co-hosts in the form of Pakistan for the right to reach the final. Imran Khan's team had never played in the showcase event, and they would be forced to wait another few years.

Pakistan had begun the competition slowly, winning their first three games by a wafer-thin margin before powering their way to six wins from six. Khan had been hugely influential, particularly with the ball. He would prove crucial again as Australia fell apart from 236 for 4, to set 268 to win. Boon was again the epicentre of the innings with a handy 65.

But the chief defenders would prove to be too stubborn once again. McDermott was mercurial with the ball, taking 5-44. Javed Miandad made a valiant 70 but when he was dismissed to leave Pakistan seven down with only 212 on the board, the writing was on the wall.

This was now uncharted territory for this group of Australian players. Their opponents were a Mike Gatting-led England side who themselves were chasing a maiden world title. They had castled the other hosts India after Graham Gooch's century was supplemented by four wickets for Eddie Hemmings. They too had qualified as runners-up from their group.

Having both defended successfully in the last four, it was crucial that Australia would win the toss and bat first. Boon made a now typical 75, with Mike Veletta igniting the innings with 45 from 31 balls to take them to 253 for 5.

^{Gatting's exit paved the way for Australia's victory}

England became the latest side to be left in a spin by McDermott, losing Tim Robinson early on. Gooch, Bill Athey and Allan Lamb all provided some resistance but it was the dismissal of Gatting to arguably the most famous reverse sweep in international cricket history, which was decisive. England ended up needing 17 from the last over but could only manage nine, as Australia got home by the smallest ever margin in a World Cup final.

The significance of the success could only be established in the 20 years that were to come. Victory laid the platform for one of the most dominant eras in any sport and helped form some of the greatest players to play cricket for Australia.

Across the next two decades, Australia would win eight out of nine Ashes series and claim three more World Cups, in 1999, 2003 and 2007. Perhaps only the New Zealand rugby team and the NFL's New England Patriots can claim to have such a dominant run on the international stage.

That the likes of Mark Waugh, Glenn McGrath and Ricky Ponting would have still come through is hard to argue against, but victory in India and Pakistan gave Australian cricket something to believe in. And as the country attempts to rebuild from rock bottom again, the tale should give the class of 2019 every reason to feel confident.

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