New Zealand defeated India in the 1st semi-final of World Cup 2019 to get through the World Cup final. Kiwis were big underdogs going into this match, while India were the favourites on all the top betting sites in India. The result of this game broke a billion hearts, but will go down in history for the heroics of Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni’s run-out in the 49th over.
While New Zealand gears up for their second consecutive World Cup final, here is a walk down the memory lane – some of the best moments from ICC World Cups from Old Trafford, Manchester.
Prudential World Cup 1979 Semi-Final – England vs New Zealand
England’s first appearance in the World Cup semi-final was in 1979, where they faced New Zealand at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester. England’s then skipper Mike Brearley and number 4 batsman Graham Gooch both scored fifties along with Derek Randall’s unbeaten 40 off 50 balls helped England put 221-8 on board.
New Zealand opening batsman John Wright scored 69 off 137 balls and was run out when New Zealand had 112 runs on the board. After his dismissal New Zealand were 112-4 and lost more wickets within few runs, but Lance Cairns’ 14-runs off 6 balls was a great short innings to bring New Zealand close to their first final of the World Cup. Cairns was dismissed caught Brearely, bowled Hendrick and New Zealand were 195-8.
New Zealand lost the match by 9 runs and England made it to the finals, where they played West Indies at Lord’s. The venue at Manchester has witnessed nail biting games throughout history and the saga continues even to this day.
Prudential World Cup 1983 Semi-Final England vs India
This is the story of underdogs, India facing hosts England in a World Cup semi-final at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester. India has definitely come a long way from being the underdogs at this venue in 1983, to the top favourites in 2019, while New Zealand were the underdogs in 1979 World Cup semi-final at Manchester, and again facing India in 2019 World Cup at the same venue.
However, New Zealand’s script in 2019 World Cup semi-final was similar to that of India’s from the England vs India 1983 World Cup semi-final clash. It was the 3rd Prudential World Cup and India were still the underdogs at the international stage. Kapil Dev led Indian team restricted England to 213-10 after the hosts won the toss and chose to bat first.
Kapil Dev was top wicket for India taker with 3 for 35 and a maiden over. Roger Binny and Mohinder Amarnath picked 2 wickets each. Chasing 214-runs target, India were 2 wickets down for 50 runs. Mohinder Amarnath scored 46 runs at number 3 building a big partnership with Yashpal Sharma, who scored 61 runs off 1!5 balls. Sandeep Patil coming in to bat at number 5, scored 51 runs off just 32 balls with 8 fours in his innings taking India to victory.
The venue at Manchester saw the underdogs win in a big way, making their mark in the history of World Cup.
World Cup Final 1983 – India vs West Indies
3 days after India’s win over England at Old Trafford, they faced West Indies at Lord’s in the final of the World Cup 1983. India were big underdogs facing the 1975, and 1979 Champions, West Indies. India lost wickets regularly in their innings and at 92-4 they had lost their in-form top order batsmen, Mohinder Amarnath and Yashpal Sharma.
Kapil Dev too was out soon scoring 15 off 8 balls, hitting 3 fours in his innings. India was all-out for 183-runs and West Indies were mighty happy with their bowling effort, as Larry Gomes, Michael Holding and Malcolm Marshall picked 2 wickets each. 183 runs wasn’t a par score against a two-time World Champions West Indies who had batsmen like Desmond Haynes, Sir Viv Richards, and was led by Clive Lloyd.
However, Indian bowlers had different plans for West Indies that day. India were right on top picking early wickets and getting West Indies 6 wickets down for 76 runs. Mohinder Amarnath’s delivery to Michael Holding stuck him on the pads and Amarnath picked his 3rd wicket, ending the West Indies innings at 140-10. He had produced magical figures of 12-3, along with Madan Lal’s 3 for 31.
Kapil Dev lifting the World Cup from the Lord’s balcony is an image etched into the minds and hearts of all Indian cricket fans. It changed cricket in India forever, and New Zealand has a similar chance to lift their first World Cup at Lord’s.
Defeating the current Indian cricket team was no joke, and pulling off this win must definitely give New Zealand hope and confidence going into the finals. Will it be New Zealand’s day at Lord’s ? Only time can tell.
