Aravinda de Silva vs Australia: 107 runs
Sri Lanka won the maiden World Cup in 1996 which is still the only World Cup trophy of them. And all thanks go to Aravinda de Silva’s blistering knock which guided the team to victory.
Chasing the target of 242 runs against Australia, de Silva scored unbeaten 107 runs off 124 balls. He played a smart inning and stitched up a partnership with Arjuna Ranatunga and Asanka Pradeep Gurusinha. In the end, Sri Lanka won the marquee clash by seven wickets.
De silva not only showed his masterpiece with the bat but also picked crucial wickets. He notched up the wicket of Mark Taylor, who was on the song that day. He also dismissed Ricky Ponting and Ian Healy. His overall contribution to Sri Lanka’s triumph is unforgettable.
Vivian Richards vs England: 138 runs
West Indies was the invincible team in the 90s, and their two world cup wins prove that. They had the most lethal bowling and batting line up at that time.
In the 1979 World Cup, the legendary cricket Richards showed his masterstroke against England at Lord’s. He went on to score not out 138 runs off 157 balls, comprising of thirteen fours and three sixes. He stood for the team when the lower-middle order batsmen consecutively lost their wickets for the duck. His side scored 286 runs which became the unreachable target for England.
The West Indies bowlers became a nightmare for the host as their five players were sent back to the pavilion without scoring runs. England was all out of 194 runs. The visitors registered the victory and lifted their second World Cup trophy.