Every cricketer dreams of playing the Final in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and performing strongly to guide the team to the ultimate trophy success.
Here, we are going through the highest individual scores in the ODI World Cup Finals.
Clive Lloyd (West Indies) – 102 vs Australia in 1975
During the first ICC Cricket World Cup Final in 1975, the West Indies captain Clive Lloyd recorded the first ODI World Cup Final hundred. Against Australia, the left-handed middle-order batter scored 102 runs in 85 balls with the help of 12 fours and two sixes. His powerful batting helped West Indies to score 291/8 in 60 overs as they beat Australia (274) in that inaugural ODI World Cup Final by 17 runs.
Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) – 103* vs India in 2011
During the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Final against the hosts India, Sri Lankan legend Mahela Jayawardene scored a crucial 103 not out in 88 balls with the help of 13 fours. The right-handed batter played a massive role in Sri Lanka’s challenging first batting total of 274/6 in 50 overs. However, India ultimately won that match by six wickets with 10 balls remaining. It was the first ODI World Cup Final century in a losing cause.
Aravinda de Silva (Sri Lanka) – 107* vs Australia in 1996
Pakistan’s Lahore hosted the ICC Cricket World Cup 1996 Final between Sri Lanka and Australia, where Aravinda de Silva’s hundred created history for Sri Lanka by lifting their first ODI World Cup trophy. Chasing down the 242 runs target, the no.4 batter Aravinda de Silva came to bat when the Lankans were struggling at 23/2. His 107 not out off 124 balls with 13 fours sealed Sri Lanka’s seven-wicket win with 22 balls remaining.
Sir Viv Richards (West Indies) – 138* vs England in 1979
In the second ICC Cricket World Cup Final, West Indies legend Sir Viv Richards smashed 138 not out in 157 balls, where the right-handed no.3 batter hit 11 fours and three sixes. While his strong batting performance guided the Caribbean side to score 286/9 in 60 overs, England were bowled out for only 194 runs.
Also Read | Viv Richards Highest 10th wicket Partnership
Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 140* vs India in 2003
During the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 Final, Australian captain Ricky Pointing smashed a firing hundred and scored 140 not out in 121 balls with the help of four fours and eight sixes to set up a giant first batting total of 359/2 in 50 overs. The Aussies won that Final by 125 runs (India – 234).
Adam Gilchrist (Australia) – 149 vs Sri Lanka in 2007
Australian wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist produced an extraordinary batting performance against Sri Lanka at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 Final. In that shortened ODI Final, while Australia scored 281/4 in 38 overs, Gilchrist scored 149 off just 104 balls with 13 fours and eight sixes. It is still the record score by a batter in the ODI World Cup Final history. Australia won that Final by 53 runs (D/L method) as Sri Lanka scored 215/8 in 36 overs.
Highest scores in the Final of the ODI World Cups
Player (Team) | Runs scored | Opposition | Venue | Date |
Adam Gilchrist (Australia) | 149 | Sri Lanka | Bridgetown | April 28, 2007 |
Ricky Ponting (Australia) | 140* | India | Johannesburg | March 23, 2003 |
Sir Viv Richards (West Indies) | 138* | England | Lord’s | June 23, 1979 |
Aravinda de Silva (Sri Lanka) | 107* | Australia | Lahore | March 17, 1996 |
Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) | 103* | India | Wankhede | April 2, 2011 |
Clive Lloyd (West Indies) | 102 | Australia | Lord’s | June 21, 1975 |
(Updated as of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019)
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