OTD | Sri Lanka defeated Australia to lift the World Cup in 1996

This article will discuss the On This Day Sri Lanka defeated Australia to lift the World Cup in 1996. Today marks a watershed moment in the history of world cricket. On this day in 1996, Sri Lanka won the ODI World Cup defeating Australia in the final at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The cricketing world order witnessed the emergence of a new powerhouse with this Sri Lankan glory inspired by captain Arjuna Ranatunga. 

The match hangs in the balance at the innings break

Winning the toss, Arjuna Ranatunga made a brave decision to chase in the final and invited Australia to bat first. Ranatunga’s character was of a street fighter and it was his conviction that brought his team so far. Chaminda Vaas responded to his skipper’s call and provided an early breakthrough by dismissing the dangerous Mark Waugh early in the first innings. 

However, Mark Taylor and Ricky Ponting added more than 100 runs for the second wicket to give Australia a head start. But then the resilient Sri Lankans displayed why they were playing in the final. The Lankan Lions made a roaring comeback by getting rid of multiple Aussie batters in quick succession. At one point Sri Lanka reduced Australia to 170/5 by sending Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne, and Steve Waugh back to the pavilion. Michael Bevan and Paul Reiffel played handy cameos to carry the Kangaroos to 241/7 at the end of the first innings, which was a challenging total to chase in a World Cup final.

Aravinda and Arjuna – The heroes of the island nation

Australia made a great start in the second innings. They dismissed the destructive opening duo of Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana in no time. Jayasuriya lost his wicket in an unfortunate run-out whereas Kaluwitharana was caught by Bevan on Fleming’s delivery. But the Australians could not exert further pressure on Sri Lanka as Asanka Gurusinha and the experienced Aravinda de Silva batted brilliantly to stave off a collapse. The two added 125 runs for the third wicket and eased off the pressure of a run chase in the final. 

After Gurusinha’s departure, skipper Arjuna Ranatunga joined Aravinda de Silva in the middle. Aravinda went on to smash a hundred, a rare feat in a World Cup final. The two most important players in the Sri Lankan team stayed unbeaten till the end and carried the team across the finishing line. Sri Lanka completed the run chase with 7 wickets in hand. Aravinda de Silva was awarded the Player of the Match for his outstanding knock that gave his resurgent nation a moment to celebrate.