England and Australia have met seven times at Cricket World Cups before. Australia have won five – the same number of overall titles they have to their name – to England’s two.
Not that either of England’s wins have been remotely recent. Since the start of the 1999 World Cup, the Australians have only lost six matches to anyone – twice each against Pakistan, India and New Zealand.
Here are five of the most significant meetings between the old foes in World Cups.
1979, Lord’s – England won by six wickets
Winning in the 49th over these days would be a nail-biter. Back during the World Cup’s second edition, it meant there were still over 10 overs to go.
As such, England’s win over Australia in the third match of the tournament was a commanding one.
Graham Gooch was man of the match for a 96-ball 53 not out, as England chased 160 with little bother, for the loss of four wickets. They went on to reach the final, where they lost to West Indies.
1987, Kolkata – Australia won by seven runs
It was all going swimmingly for England. At 135 for two, they appeared set fair to win their first World Cup title, 12 years after cricket’s global showpiece was incepted.
Then Mike Gatting inadvisably aimed a reverse sweep at Allan Border, and the wheels came off. Thirty-two years on, England are still no closer to winning the World Cup.
1992, Sydney – England won by eight wickets
Ian Botham took four for 31 in what was really his last hurrah in a match against his favourite sparring partners.
The little jig he did in celebration still makes the World Cup showreel to this day, and some of England’s current vintage occasionally appear to mimic it, too.
Graham Gooch made another half-century to underpin the chase of 173 for two, as England beat a path towards the final against Pakistan.
2003, Port Elizabeth – Australia won by two wickets
The narrowest margin of victory in terms of wickets in World Cup matches between the two sides.
England had looked handily placed to spring an upset when, while defending 204, they had their rivals 135 for eight.
Andy Bichel had other ideas, though. Having earlier taken seven wickets with the bat, he scored a priceless 34 not out from No 10 to help Michael Bevan take Australia to a final-over win.
2015, Melbourne – Australia won by 111 runs
It shows just how bad England’s campaign was four years ago that this was not even remotely their lowest moment of the tournament.
Aaron Finch blazed 135 as the host nation won at a canter, on their way to their fifth title.
The fact Steven Finn took a hat-trick with the last three wickets of Australia’s innings, and James Taylor managed 98 not out, meant it was not such a bad day out by the standards of England’s 2015 vintage.
