9 Times the middle-order won the World Cup semi-finals and finals

#3) AUS vs SL – 1996 World Cup final

Aravinda De Silva hit one of the most important centuries in World Cup history.

In 1996, the assumption was that if you get Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana out for cheap, a match against Sri Lanka is yours. But this was proven wrong in the semi-final and final as their middle order took command of the situation. In the final against Australia, with Sri Lanka at 23/2, a composed Aravinda De Silva took guard and scored an unbeaten 107, building partnerships with Asanka Gurusinha and Arjuna Ranatunga. A middle-order batsman should be a big match player.

#4) Aus vs WI – 1996 World Cup Semi-Final

Shane Warne will admit the middle-order was crucial in winning the 1996 World Cup semi-final.

Who doesn't remember the magical spell by Shane Warne that turned this match upside down, bringing down the West Indies from 165/3 to 202 all out chasing a meager total of 207 runs. But Warne would not have had enough runs to defend if Stuart Law (72 off 105), Michael Bevan (69 off 110) and Ian Healy (31 off 28) had not chipped in when Australia were struggling at 15-4. Sometimes the lower middle-order needs to protect the tail and ensure your team plays out as many overs as possible.