India celebrate victory in 1983 (Allsport).

By Andy Hampson, PA Sport

Final, June 21 1975, Lord's

West Indies bt Australia by 17 runs

The indomitable West Indies held on to become the first world champions in a Lord's thriller which had the crowd on the edge of their seats until a quarter to nine. Windies skipper and man of the match Clive Lloyd led by example with a thunderous knock of 102 to set the Aussies a stiff target of 292. Australia did not hold back as they raced along to 81 for one in reply, but then spectacularly contributed to their own downfall with five run-outs. Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee revived hopes with a last-wicket stand of 41, but inevitably poor running ended their resistance with eight balls remaining.

Final, June 25 1983, Lord's

India bt West Indies by 43 runs

India dethroned back-to-back champions and red-hot favourites West Indies with a stunning fightback in a low-scoring encounter. India had seemed down and out in a predictable-looking final as they were bowled out for just 183. It was not the lowest winning total in a Lord's final, but it looked highly inadequate against the Windies' formidable batting line-up. Viv Richards looked well in control, but became the first of three quick Madan Lal victims as the West Indies dramatically slumped to 66 for six. Jeff Dujon and Malcolm Marshall threatened to turn things around, but the underdogs had the bit between their teeth and man of the match Mohinder Amarnath removed them both to spark Indian celebrations.

Semi-final, 1996, Chandigarh

Australia bt West Indies by five runs

Victory over New Zealand in a high-scoring quarter-final, followed by a long journey to north India looked to have taken its toll on Australia, as the West Indies, rejuvenated after a shock loss to Kenya, closed in on a place in the final. The Aussies slipped to 16 for four and although they recovered to set a target of 208, the Windies looked to have the measure of the task. Richie Richardson and Shivnarine Chanderpaul were in complete control until the latter's dismissal sparked a dramatic collapse of eight quick wickets. Richardson could still have won the game with 10 needed in the last over, but instead of giving his captain the strike, last man Courtney Walsh aimed a wild heave and was bowled.

Final, 1996, Lahore

Sri Lanka bt Australia by seven wickets

Sri Lanka sensationally rewrote the world order with some outstanding performances in 1996 and their success was made all the sweeter by the fact Australia were their final victims. The Aussies had refused to play in Sri Lanka earlier in the tournament due to terrorist fears and the islanders were offended. They responded by sweeping to the final on a wave of exhilarating and fearless cricket, but when they lost two early wickets, including man of the moment Sanath Jayasuriya, in response to Australia's 241, the entertainment seemed over. Aravinda de Silva had different ideas, however, and ruthlessly punished an increasingly frustrated Australian attack to win the match with a majestic unbeaten 107.

Semi-final, June 17 1999, Edgbaston

Australia bt South Africa on net run-rate after match finished tied

The most dramatic finish in the history of one-day cricket saw eventual champions Australia scrape through to the final on net run-rate after both sides had been bowled out for the same score. The Aussies' dramatic late charge through the tournament looked over as Lance Klusener bludgeoned his way to 31 in 14 balls to all but tilt a seesaw match decisively in South Africa's favour. Klusener levelled the scores at 213 in the final over, but a rush of blood resulted in Allan Donald being run out with two balls to spare. It was the World Cup's first-ever tie and apart from the sensational finish it was littered with fine performances on both sides.