10 Iconic game-changing moments in Cricket World Cup history

#5 Mike Gatting\'s wicket - England v Australia, Final, World Cup 1987

Allan Border celebrates after dismissing Mike Gatting, Final, Kolkata, World Cup 1987

After India and Pakistan’s shocking exit from the World Cup, the organizers thought that the stadium would be half-full if not deserted for the final between England and Australia. But to the surprise of all, almost 100,000 passionate cricket fans went to witness the final.

Australia won the toss and batted first. They posted 253 for 5 in 50 overs. Bill Athey and Mike Gatting scripted a threatening third-wicket partnership of 69 to dent Australia’s hopes. Both of them took calculative risks and ran as much as they could. The game was slipping away from the hands of Allan Border. A quick breakthrough was the need of the hour.

At 135 for 2, Border brought himself to bowl. Gatting faced the first ball from Border with enough circumspection. Then Border pitched one around Gatting’s off-stump who got down his haunches and executed the reverse sweep but edged it and the ball flew in the air. Australia’s wicketkeeper Greg Dyer took a magnificent catch to dismiss Gatting.

That reverse sweep by Gatting proved fatal for England and lost the match by just seven runs.