World Cup in India/Pak. Oct/Nov 1987 - Summary Report

1987 TOURNAMENT
The fourth World Cup saw a  move  away  from  England,  with
India  and Pakistan co-hosting the event, which saw the same
cast of teams as in 1983, Zimbabwe having emerged victorious
from  the  ICC trophy once again. As before, the preliminary
matches featured two groups of four teams, who  played  each
other twice.
    The surprise of the qualifying stages was  West  Indies'
failure  to  reach  the  semi-finals.  First  England,  then
Pakistan conjured unlikely last-over victories  against  the
former  champions,  and not even a record score of 360 for 4
(Richards 181) against Sri Lanka could save them.
    The co-hosts were playing for a  'dream  final'  between
India  and  Pakistan  at  the  vast  Eden  Gardens ground at
Calcutta, but Australia put paid  to  these  fond  hopes  by
defeating  Pakistan  in  the Lahore semi-final. With Miandad
and Imran  going  well,  Pakistan  seemed  set  to  overhaul
Australia's  267 for 8, but four quick wickets from tearaway
fast bowler McDermott, who finished with  5  for  44,  ended
Pakistan's  challenge.  England  dealt  a  similar  blow  to
India's hopes in the  second  semi-final  at  Bombay,  where
Gooch's  115,  which  featured  many adventurous sweep shots
against India's spin-oriented attack, was the mainstay of  a
total of 254 for 6. Despite 64 from the graceful Azharuddin,
India fell 35 runs short, with veteran  offspinner  Hemmings
taking 4 for 52.
    In the final,  Australia  got  off  to  a  flying  start
against  some  wayward  early  bowling. Boon's 75, aided and
abetted by useful contribution from Jones, Border, and  Mike
Veletta,  took  Australia  to 253 for 5 in 50 overs. Despite
the early loss of Robinson for a duck,  England  seemed  set
fair  for victory after Athey's careful 58. Gatting and Lamb
both reached 40, but one rash act from the  England  captain
cost  him  his  wicket and probably cost his side the match.
Gatting essayed a reverse sweep at the first ball bowled  by
his  rival  captain  Border, and the ball ballooned up to be
caught  by  the  wicketkeeper.   Border  also  disposed   of
Downton,  and  the  tailenders could not muster quite enough
runs  to  take  England  to  victory,  Australia's  eventual
winning  margin  of seven runs being the narrowest in any of
the four World Cup finals so far.

(Source: Wisden Cricket Monthly, February 1992)
Thanks to Bhanu Kapoor (kapoor@hc.ti.com) on r.s.c.
 Contributed by The Management   (help@*nodak.edu)