One of the most influential and liked teams in the world of cricket over the years, the Australian cricket team has won the Cricket World Cup 5 times now. And, in each edition’s final, there was one Australian cricket player who rose to the occasion to show the team’s might with his Man of the Match winning performance. Here we will have a look at the names of the 5 such Australians who have won the Man of the Match award in the ODI World Cup Finals.
1. David Boon – 1987
Starting off what can be called the era of Aussie domination in the world of cricket in the year 1987 was David Boon, when he won the team their first World Cup title, with his knock in the finals.
Opening the batting for the Australian cricket team, Boon managed to get the team off to a great start as he hit 75 runs off 125 deliveries. The Australian batting line-up capitalized on the start and went on to post a total that proved to be too steep for their opponents, the England cricket team, to chase. This knock of David Boon earned him the Man of the Match award in the World Cup Finals, making him the first Australian to do so.
2. Shane Warne – 1999
After a dry run of about a decade in the World Cups, Australia started a victory run in the tournament that lasted for 3 consecutive editions. And, at the helm of the affairs at the start of it all was Shane Warne, with his Man of the Match winning performance in the 1999 World Cup Finals which Australia won.
The Aussies were pitted against Pakistan, and it was the only hurdle that separated them and the trophy. And, as soon as the proceedings began for Pakistan, the troubles started to creep in. Thanks to Warne’s 4 wickets in 9 overs bowling performance, the Aussies were able to stop the Pakistanis for a total of just 132 runs, which they, in turn, chased down easily, making the coveted title theirs.
3. Ricky Ponting – 2003
The 2003 World Cup Finals was where the Australians not only won their second consecutive World Cup title, but their captain, Ricky Ponting also showed the world what an actual captain’s knock was.
Building upon the start that was provided to the team by Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting made sure that he got the Aussies a total to defend. He hit 140 runs off 121 deliveries and boosted the Australian total to 359 runs in their quota of 50 overs. That total, with the burden of the Finals on the shoulders of the Indian team, proved to be too big a task for them to handle as they handed Australia their second consecutive World Cup win.
4. Adam Gilchrist – 2007
Fresh from the 2003 World Cup, at the prime stage of his career, Adam Gilchrist in the Finals of the 2007 World Cup played a knock that won him the Man of the Match award and helped him show the world why he is held in such high regard in the community.
It was another World Cup Final match and another Australian player, this time in the form of Adam Gilchrist, rose to give his best for the team. Gilchrist, opening the batting for Australia along with Matthew Hayden, his limited-overs batting partner, played one of his most memorable knocks as he hit the Sri Lankan bowlers all over the park. Gilchrist hit 149 runs off 104 deliveries before being dismissed in the 31st over of the inning. But, till then, it was too late for the Sri Lankan bowlers to do anything. And, when it was the turn of the batters to clutch the game, the things had slipped out of hand, and the next thing that could be seen was the Australian team lifting the World Cup for the third consecutive time, asserting their dominance on the world of cricket.
5. James Faulkner – 2015
The year was 2015, the Australians had not won a World Cup in 2015, the battle had come down to their backyard, and the fans and experts waited for another Australian frenzy. But the question was who would drive them home this time when the ‘legends’ had left the team? As history has it, it would be James Faulkner, who would rise to the occasion, and get under his belt a Man of the Match performance in the World Cup Finals and win the Australian cricket team their 5th World Cup title.
The all-rounder hit the Kiwis hard with the ball in hand. He damaged their batting attack with 3 wickets in 9 overs. And, when it was the turn for the Australian team to bat, his teammates were ready with their arsenal to obliterate the New Zealanders. The Australian team won the match easily and did not let the trophy leave their backyard.
