Australia have won the ODI World Cup a remarkable 5 times, more than any other team in the history of the tournament. Their first triumph came back in 1987 when they defeated England by 7 runs in a thrilling final in Kolkata. Batting first, Australia posted a competitive total of 253/5 thanks largely to a fine 75 from David Boon. In response, England fell short by 7 runs as the Australian bowling attack, led by Steve Waugh and Allan Border's 2 wickets apiece, restricted them to 246/8.
The Aussies had to wait 12 years for their next World Cup crown, which they claimed in style by hammering Pakistan by 8 wickets in the 1999 final at Lord's. After bowling out Pakistan for just 132 runs, Shane Warne doing the damage with figures of 4/33, Australia raced to victory in just 20.1 overs as Adam Gilchrist blasted 54 runs from only 36 balls.
In 2003 and 2007, Australia enjoyed further World Cup final thrashings against India and Sri Lanka respectively. In Johannesburg in 2003, Australia piled on a massive 359/2, Ricky Ponting smashing 140* from 121 balls. India never looked like chasing it down, limping to 234 all out as Glenn McGrath took 3/52. Four years later in Bridgetown, Australia posted 281/4 from their rain-reduced 38 overs allocation. Adam Gilchrist was the destroyer-in-chief this time, plundering 149 from just 104 balls. Chasing a revised total of 269 from 36 overs, Sri Lanka ended on 215/8 to hand Australia their 3rd straight World Cup crown.
Australia's record 5th World Cup title arrived in 2015 on home soil. In front of 93,000 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia bowled New Zealand out for 183 with Mitchell Johnson and James Faulkner claiming 3 wickets apiece. Only Grant Elliott with 83 offered any meaningful resistance. The Australian batsmen then calmly knocked off the runs required to lift the trophy once more, reaching their target with 7 wickets and 17 balls to spare. Michael Clarke top scored with 74 while Steve Smith finished unbeaten on 56.
With 5 World Cup wins under their belt, Australia have certainly dominated the tournament historically. Their first victory in 1987 announced them on the ODI stage, while their hat-trick of triumphs in 1999, 2003 and 2007 confirmed their status as one of the greatest ODI teams of all time. Of course, no ODI team before or since has managed to win 3 consecutive World Cups, underlining the extraordinary dominance of the Australians during this period.
Their 5th success in 2015 proved Australia could still get it done on the biggest stage, 12 years after their previous World Cup victory. Winning at home in front of massive crowds at the MCG demonstrated how Australia continues to thrive under the intense pressure and expectations that comes with a home World Cup.
As Australia prepare to face India in the 2023 World Cup final, they have the chance to cement their legacy as the greatest ODI and World Cup team in cricket history. 6 World Cup wins would be an incredible achievement that no other nation would be able to match for many, many years. With the final being held in India, the Aussies will have to overcome not just a talented Indian team, but also a hugely partisan crowd.
However, this Australian side includes players like David Warner, Steve Smith, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc who are not only among the best cricketers in the world today, but also proven big-game performers. Backing themselves to get the job done under pressure is part of the Australian team's DNA. They will not be intimidated by the occasion or the opposition.
Of course India possesses plenty of match-winners too, like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah. With so much talent on both sides, it promises to be an epic encounter. If Australia can hold their nerve and capture the trophy, it will go down as one of their very greatest triumphs. With 5 titles already secured, Australia's ODI World Cup legacy is already legendary. But winning a 6th crown would make them undisputed ODI kings now and for generations to come.
