It took nearly half a century for record champions of the ICC Cricket World Cup, Australia, to lose their first match at the semi-final stage. Dominant through the years, here's how the Aussies have fared in the ODI World Cup last-four across editions.
Though not as dominant as hosts India, South Africa and Australia cruised through the ICC Criclet World Cup 2023 league stage, nonetheless, setting up a tie against each other in the semi-finals. South Africa finished second after nine group game with a record of seven wins and two defeats. Australia reached the end of the first stage with an identical record, albeit a worse net run rate, meaning that they were third after nine matches. (Live Streaming | Preview | Scorecard | Full Coverage)
Despite what their eventual positions may suggest, from here on, the stakes are different. Australia, record champions of the ODI World Cup, have a minor advantage with them - mentally, more than anything else - based on the accomplishments of their past. Such has been their dominance in the tournament, that it took almost half a century for Australia to lose a semi-final encounter, which they did four years ago against eventual winners England.
Here's how Australia have fared in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 last-four across previous editions.
ICC ODI World Cup 1975
Facing the progenitors of cricket did not unfaze Australia in the inaugural edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup. Instead, the Aussies went for the kill right from the world go: Gary Gilmour picked up six wickets during the first innings, embarassing England on their own turf, who were bowled out for a meagre 93 runs. Australia, however, threatened to throw away an easy win when England gave them a taste of their own medicine, that is, until Gilmour steadied the ship with 28 significant runs. Australia chased down the target in 28.4 overs.
ICC ODI World Cup 1987
After back-to-back disappointments, Australia returned to the last four in 1987 to face a Pakistan team at the peak of its powers. Still, the Aussies stacked up 267 runs on board, led by David Boon's 65 off 91 deliveres, before bowling their opponents out for 249. Pakistan, who had the mighty Javed Miandad among their ranks, had no reply for Craig McDermott, with the Australian bowler claiming a fifer for 44 runs.
ICC ODI World Cup 1996
Batting first against the West Indies, Australia set a modest target of 207. The target below expectations, the team and its faithful feared that they had let a great opportunity slip from their hands, until Shane Warne displayed his spin mastery by claiming four wickers for just 36 runs. West Indies, who came mighty close to winning the match, fell short by five runs.
ICC ODI World Cup 1999
By 1999, Australia had made a habit of appearing in semi-finals and finals. Facing South Africa in the '99 event, Australia, who were batting first, reached 213 before losing their final wicket. Curiously, the Aussies then boweld their opponents all out for the same score, leading to a remarkable turn of events: Australia were granted the victory by match officials, due to them finishing ahead of South Africa in Siper Six on net run rate!
ICC ODI World Cup 2003
Andrew Symonds' 91 ensured Australia put up another 200+ target on the board in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 semi-final against Sri Lanka. Banking on Brett Lee's scintillating pace, the Aussies managed to restric their opponents at 123/7 before incessant rain forced the match to be abandoned. DLS kicked in, nevertheless, providing Australia with a clear passage into their third successive ODI World Cup final.
ICC ODI World Cup 2007
South Africa stood between Australia and a fourth successive ICC Cricket World Cup final appearance - and, potentially, a third triumph in a row. Shaun Tait's masterful bowling helped the team limit the Proteas to a meagre 149, which they chased down in 31.3 overs. Australia would later win their third World Cup on the bounce.
ICC ODI World Cup 2015
Missing out on a fifth World Cup final appearance in a row in 2011, Australia returned to the last four at the home-based 2015 event for a tie against reigning champions India. Batting first, they put 328 runs on the board, Steve Smith providing 105 of those, before bowling their rivals out for 233.
ICC ODI World Cup 2019
Forty-four years after their maiden ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final appearance, Australia lost a match at this stage of the tournament for the first time. Their incredible streak came to an end at the hands of their fiercest rivals England, who, inspired by the home crowd, chased down a 223-run target in just 32.1 overs.