• Home
  • Featured News
  • When Home Of Cricket Crowned The Champions History Of Icc Finals At The Lords

When Home Of Cricket Crowned The Champions: History Of ICC Finals At The Lord's

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Kapil Dev during World Cup 1983, Ben Stokes during World Cup 2019 [Source: @ICC, @HitmanCricket/x.com]Kapil Dev during World Cup 1983, Ben Stokes during World Cup 2019 [Source: @ICC, @HitmanCricket/x.com]

If you are talking about cricket and the venues where the game is played, The Lord's in London is the most revered venue. The legendary stadium has been a host to some of the most memorable moments in the history of the game. 

The inaugural Cricket World Cup in 1975 saw its final being hosted at the Lord's in St John's Wood in London. Since then, the venue has hosted more ICC tournament finals than any other grounds in the world except the MCG in Australia, cementing its status as cricket's most prestigious stage.

The ground's association with the ICC finals has now spanned over five decades. Over the years, Lord's has not been limited to men's cricket only, it has encompassed Women's cricket and also spread itself across the different formats of the game.

Men's Cricket Finals

1975 World Cup Final: West Indies vs Australia

The inaugural ODI World Cup final laid the foundations of Lord's becoming the grandest stage of cricket. West Indies defeated Australia by 17 runs, with captain Clive Lloyd's magnificent 102 forming the backbone of their 291-run total. Australia's chase was derailed by five run-outs, falling 17 runs short with eight balls remaining, thus crowning the West Indies as cricket's first World Champions.

1979 World Cup Final: West Indies vs England

West Indies in those days were a different beast and it is evident from the fact that they defended their title and become the champions of two consecutive World Cups at the very start of the tournament. 

Viv Richards' imperious 138 rescued the West Indies from early trouble, helping them post 286. Joel Garner's devastating five-wicket haul then led to England being bundled out for 194, confirming West Indian dominance in the early World Cup era.

1983 World Cup Final: India vs West Indies

One of the most underrated teams in the tournament, India stopped the marching win wagon of West Indies in this World Cup. The whole cricketing fraternity was surprised when Kapil's Devils stopped one of the most dreaded unit of the time. 

India successfully defended their modest total of 183 in the final. Mohinder Amarnath took the final wicket as the West Indies were dismissed for 140, in what remains one of cricket's greatest upsets and a defining moment for Indian cricket.

1999 World Cup Final: Australia vs Pakistan

Shane Warne's masterful spin bowling dominated this one-sided final, taking four for 33 as Pakistan collapsed to just 132. Adam Gilchrist's explosive 36-ball 54 helped Australia chase down the target in just 20.1 overs leading them to an eight-wicket victory, thus launching the era of Australian supremacy in World Cup.

2019 World Cup Final: England vs New Zealand

England's most dramatic World Cup triumph came after both teams scored 241 in regulation play, then tied again in the Super Over at 15 runs each. England was awarded the trophy via boundary counts, having scored 26 boundaries to New Zealand's 17, in what many consider the greatest final ever played.

Women's Cricket Finals

1993 and 2017 Women's World Cup Finals

Lord's first hosted a Women's World Cup final in 1993, with England beating New Zealand, though the ground wasn't fully opened for that match. 

The 2017  final proved to be a far more significant game, as England defeated India by nine runs in a thrilling encounter. Chasing 229, India fell just short at 219, with Anya Shrubsole's six for 46 being the best bowling figures in any World Cup final.

T20 World Cup Finals

2009 T20 World Cup (Men's And Women's)

Lord's hosted both men's and women's T20 World Cup finals on the same day in 2009. England's women defeated New Zealand with Katherine Brunt taking three for six in a dominant performance, while Pakistan claimed their first T20 title overhauling Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the men's final.

Conclusion

After holding multiple finals in the limited overs, the iconic Lord's will now encompass a final of the purest format of the game. In 2025, the Lord's will play host to the WTC Final between South Africa and Australia. Moreover, the venue will also host the Women's T20 World Cup 2026, thus continuing to be one of the most important and revered centres for the game.