The 1996 Cricket World Cup win by Sri Lanka

The 1996 ICC Cricket World Cup Final was a cricket match to decide the winner of the sixth edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup. The game was played on March 17, 1996, in Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium in Pakistan. In 1996, the stadium had a capacity of around 60,000 people and was hosting its first final. The match was between previous World Cup winners Australia, who were considered favourites, and Sri Lanka. It was Australia’s third World Cup final appearance, after winning in 1987 and losing to the West Indies in 1975. This was Sri Lanka’s first final appearance.

After Australia scored 241 runs for 7 wickets in their allotted 50 overs, Sri Lanka won by hitting 245 runs for 3 wickets with 22 balls left. Consequently, Sri Lanka triumphed as winners of the 1996 World Cup.

Background of the match: 

Australia and Sri Lanka had never faced each other in a major tournament final. Australia won the World Cup in 1987, but Sri Lanka had never advanced beyond the group stages.

The two sides, however, developed a tense rivalry following Sri Lanka’s visit to Australia in the summer of 1995/1996. Muttiah Muralitharan, their rising spin bowler, drew criticism during the tour after being called for ‘chucking’ by field umpire Darrell Hair during the Boxing Day Test in 1995. Muralitharan’s treatment was compared to a “public execution” by pundit Jim Maxwell. Australia won the test series 3-0, but the triangular one-day series known as the ‘Benson and Hedges World Series’ was a much closer contest. Sri Lanka, along with the West Indies, presented a challenge to the all-conquering Australian team, which did not win as easily as in prior games.

Also read: Pakistan made history as they won the 1992 Cricket World Cup

Sri Lanka easily overcame the West Indies to go to the tournament final against Australia, following a victory against Australia at the MCG.

However, Australia won 2-0, and the rivalry between the teams was evident throughout the post-tournament celebrations. Mark Taylor, the Australian captain, offered to shake Ranatunga’s hand, but she declined. Many people suspected that this was because to the Muralitharan dispute. Many Sri Lankans viewed the episode as an act of racism and discrimination against Sri Lankans, including Muralitharan himself. This was exacerbated by enthusiastic Australian fans yelling “No Ball!” whenever Muralitharan delivered a ball.

During the World Cup, Australia and the West Indies refused to visit Sri Lanka due to security concerns following a suicide bombing there. Although Sri Lanka was awarded points for their match against Australia by default, this incident heightened tensions ahead of the final.

Summary of the match:

Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga won the toss and sent Australia out to bat.[3] Ranatunga subsequently stated that he and the management had visited the stadium the night before and saw the “weight of dew” on the pitch, which led them to the conclusion that batting second would be advantageous.

Also read: Australia’s 1987 ODI World Cup victory

Following a scorching start from captain Mark Taylor and rising star and future captain Ricky Ponting, Australia fell from 1-137 to 5-170 as Sri Lanka’s four-pronged spin attack took its toll. Australia eventually scored 7-241 in its allocated 50 overs. Sri Lanka recovered from an uncomfortable start, losing both openers before the score reached 30, to win in 45 overs. Sri Lankan batting great Aravinda De Silva delivered a match-winning 107 not out, assisted by fellow veterans Asanka Gurusingha (65) and skipper Ranatunga. 

De Silva was chosen Man of the Match for his overall performance. Aside from his century, he bowled 10 overs and took three wickets for 42 runs in the Australian innings. Sanath Jayasuriya received the Man of the Series award.

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