10 unsung World Cup Heroes

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Faulkner helped Australia win the 2015 World Cup final

#2 Mike Veletta

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Veletta's 45 in the final was priceless
Veletta's 45 in the 1987 World Cup final was priceless

Mike Veletta is a name that most cricket fans have never heard of but the player was a key entity during Australia’s maiden World Cup win in 1987. Veletta played only four matches but his contributions in three of them have been immense.

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Aged 24 at the time, Veletta played his first match of the competition against New Zealand, scoring just 1. In Australia’s final group game against Zimbabwe, Veletta scored 43 of just 39 deliveries. In the semi-final against Pakistan at Lahore, he scored a 50-ball 48 to help Australia reach 267/6.

However, Veletta’s most important innings of the tournament came during the all-important final against England at Eden Gardens. Coming in at No.6, he smashed 45 off just 31 deliveries to help Australia to 253/5. England eventually fell 7 runs short and Australia won the tournament. Given the margin of victory, Veletta’s 45 was extremely vital.

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Edited by Tanya Rudra
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