ICC Cricket World Cup 1987: Australia Won — First Final Outside England, First Non-England/WI Winner
The ICC Cricket World Cup 1987 was the fourth edition of the men's ODI World Cup, held in India and Pakistan in October and November 1987. It was the first World Cup held outside England and the first played in the Asian subcontinent. Australia won the tournament — defeating England in the Final at Eden Gardens, Calcutta (now Kolkata) on 8 November 1987. England batted first: 246/8 (Neil Fairbrother 62, Mike Gatting 41). Australia chased 247 and won: 253/5 off 49.2 overs (David Boon 75, Dean Jones 33, Mike Veletta 45*). Australia won by 7 runs. It was the first World Cup won by a country other than England (1979, 1983) or West Indies (1975, 1979) — Australia became the first Asian-hosted World Cup winner. Mike Gatting's infamous reverse sweep off Eddie Hemmings (caught behind by wicketkeeper Greg Dyer, dismissed for 41) is considered the decisive moment. This tournament also marked the switch from 60-over matches to 50-over matches — the format still used in ODI cricket today. Allan Border captained Australia; Mike Gatting captained England.
The 1987 ICC Cricket World Cup was the fourth edition of the men's World Cup and represented a major shift in the tournament's geography and format. Held in India and Pakistan — the first time the tournament had left England — it moved cricket's showpiece event to the Asian subcontinent where the game had a vast and passionate following. It was also the first World Cup to use 50-over matches, replacing the 60-over format used in 1975, 1979, and 1983. Eight teams participated. Australia won, defeating England in the Final at Eden Gardens, Calcutta on 8 November 1987.
Gatting's Reverse Sweep: The Decisive Moment
England batted first at Eden Gardens and posted 246/8 off 50 overs — a score that set Australia a competitive target. In Australia's chase, David Boon (75) anchored the innings and Mike Veletta (45*) accelerated at the end; Australia needed 17 off the final over and scored them with 4 balls to spare, winning 253/5 by 7 runs. But the match's defining moment came in England's innings: Mike Gatting was batting at 41 when he attempted a reverse sweep off off-spinner Eddie Hemmings. The shot — unusual for the era — was miscued and lobbed behind the wicket, caught by wicketkeeper Greg Dyer. Gatting's dismissal ended a crucial partnership; England could not accelerate sufficiently after it. The reverse sweep off a spinner when set on a critical innings has become one of cricket's cautionary tales about shot selection under pressure.
Historical Significance: Breaking the England-WI Monopoly
The 1987 World Cup was the first time a country other than West Indies (1975, 1979) or India (1983) had won the World Cup in a tournament held in their dominant era. West Indies had won the first two World Cups; India won the third in 1983. Australia's 1987 victory was significant because: it was the first World Cup held in Asia; it was the first won by Australia (who would go on to win in 1987, 1999, 2003, and 2007); and it marked the shift to the 50-over format that remains standard in ODI cricket. Allan Border captained Australia — his captaincy era (1985-1994) involved transforming an underperforming Australia side into a winning machine. Steve Waugh, David Boon, Geoff Marsh, Craig McDermott, and Bruce Reid were among the key players, several of whom formed the core of Australia's later dominant 1990s-2000s Test side.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Mike Gatting's reverse sweep in the 1987 World Cup Final so famous?
Mike Gatting's reverse sweep in the 1987 World Cup Final at Eden Gardens is famous because it was the decisive moment in England's defeat. Gatting, batting on 41 and seemingly set for a major score as England built their total, attempted a reverse sweep off off-spinner Eddie Hemmings. The shot was miscued and lobbed straight to wicketkeeper Greg Dyer, who took a simple catch. Gatting's dismissal triggered a collapse in England's scoring rate at a critical point in the innings. England finished 246/8; Australia chased down 247 by 7 runs, with Mike Veletta scoring 45* in the final overs. The reverse sweep has since become a symbol of risky or unnecessary shot selection — it was sufficiently unusual in 1987 that England captain Mike Gatting was widely criticised for playing it at such a crucial stage of a World Cup Final.
What was significant about the 1987 World Cup being held in India and Pakistan?
The 1987 ICC Cricket World Cup was the first edition held outside England, and the first held on the Asian subcontinent. The previous three World Cups (1975, 1979, 1983) had all been played in England. Moving the tournament to India and Pakistan in 1987 acknowledged that the game's largest market and most passionate fanbase was in South Asia — particularly India, which had won the 1983 World Cup and experienced a surge in fan attendance and televised cricket. The decision was also significant because the tournament used 50-over matches for the first time (previous editions used 60-over matches), which later became the standard for ODI cricket globally. India and Pakistan have co-hosted or independently hosted multiple ICC events since 1987, including the 1996, 2011, and 2023 World Cups.