The dream of every cricketer is to shine on the world’s biggest stage, and there’s no bigger occasion in cricket than a World Cup final. It’s where legends are made and heroes are born. Among these, scoring a hundred in World Cup final is a feat that elevates a player into cricketing immortality. The pressure, the stakes, the eyes of the world watching – it brings the best out of the talents.
Here, we celebrate the elite few who have not just dreamt but lived this dream, etching their names forever in the annals of cricket history. Let’s relive these iconic innings together.
Players To Score A Hundred in World Cup Final
Here is the table with the players who have scored a century in the Cricket World Cup finals, as per the details provided:
| Batsman | Score | Team | Opponent | Edition | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clive Lloyd | 102 | West Indies | Australia | 1975 | Lord's | WI won by 17 runs |
| Sir Vivian Richards | 138* | West Indies | England | 1979 | Lord's | WI won by 92 runs |
| Aravinda de Silva | 107* | Sri Lanka | Australia | 1996 | Lahore | SL won by 7 wickets |
| Ricky Ponting | 140 | Australia | India | 2003 | Johannesburg | AUS won by 125 runs |
| Adam Gilchrist | 149* | Australia | Sri Lanka | 2007 | Barbados | AUS won by 53 runs |
| Mahela Jayawardene | 103* | Sri Lanka | India | 2011 | Mumbai | IND won by 6 wickets |
| Travis Head | 137 | Australia | India | 2023 | Ahmedabad | AUS won by 6 wickets |
1. Clive Lloyd’s Dominant 102 in 1975
In the inaugural Cricket World Cup in 1975, West Indies captain Clive Lloyd etched his name in history with a monumental century. This West Indian legend was born in Guyana and was known for his power-hitting and leadership skills. The final, played at the iconic Lord’s against Australia, became the canvas for his masterpiece.
He delivered a masterclass innings of 102 runs at a time when his team needed it the most. His ability to dominate the Australian bowlers with sheer power and finesse turned the tide in the West Indies’ favor.
This innings wasn’t just about the runs; it was about setting a benchmark for leadership and rising to the occasion. Lloyd’s century led his countryside to a 17-run victory, engraving his name as a beacon of inspiration for generations to come.
2. Sir Vivian Richards’ Masterful 138 in 1979
The 1979 World Cup final at Lord’s was the stage for another West Indian legend, Sir Vivian Richards, to showcase his mastery. Ever since his debut in this sport, Richards was famous for powerful batting, and on this day, he demonstrated why.
His unbeaten 138 against England was not just a display of runs but an exhibition of control, aggression, and artistry. Every shot in his hundred in World Cup final, whether a fierce cut or a majestic drive, was a testament to his dominance.
This innings was more than a run-scoring show; it was the birth of a new era of cricketing greatness. His performance was instrumental in helping his team secure a thumping 92-run victory, crowning themselves as world champions.
3. Aravinda de Silva’s Match-Winning 107 in 1996
The 1996 World Cup final in Lahore saw Sri Lankan maestro Aravinda de Silva rise to the grand occasion against Australia. Known for his elegant and wristy batting, de Silva crafted a magnificent 107*, a mix of classic and audacious stroke-play.
It was because of his iconic hundred in World Cup final that his team was able to chase down a challenging Australian total. Every run scored by de Silva echoed the rising stature of Sri Lankan cricket on the global stage.
His unbeaten century not only gave Sri Lanka their first-ever World Cup title by 7 wickets but also marked a new era for the island nation in cricket.
De Silva’s innings was more than simply a match-winning knock; it was a unique feat that inspired an entire nation, solidifying his position as one of the game’s all-time greats.
4. Ricky Ponting’s Brilliant 140 in 2003
The 2003 World Cup final in Johannesburg was a showcase of Ricky Ponting’s sheer dominance. The Kangaroos Skipper, famous for his aggressive batting style, unleashed havoc against the Indian bowling lineup.
Scoring a monumental 140, Ponting’s innings was a masterful display of power and precision. Each boundary was a display of shееr batting prowеss as hе stееrеd Australia towards a formidablе total.
His 140 runs wеrе not just about pеrsonal achiеvеmеnt; thеy wеrе about assеrting Aussiеs’ suprеmacy in world crickеt. Thе innings was critical in Australia’s 125-run win ovеr tеam bluе, confirming Ponting’s status as onе of thе grеatеst lеadеrs and battеrs in crickеt history.
5. Adam Gilchrist’s Explosive 149 in 2007
Adam Gilchrist’s performance in the 2007 World Cup final was nothing short of extraordinary. Facing Sri Lanka in Barbados, the Australian wicketkeeper-batsman unleashed a stunning 149*, setting a new record for the highest individual score in a World Cup final. Gilchrist’s knock was a thrilling exhibition of aggressive batting, highlighted by powerful strokes that stunned the Sri Lankan spinners.
His daring onslaught provided the groundwork for Australia’s commanding score and eventual 53-run triumph. This remarkable hundred in World Cup final not only demonstrated Gilchrist’s exceptional talent but also cemented his status as one of cricket’s most explosive hitters.
6. Mahela Jayawardene’s Graceful 103 in 2011
Mahela Jayawardene’s elegant century in the 2011 World Cup final was a highlight of cricketing finesse. In a high-stakes match against India in Mumbai, Jayawardene’s 103* was a masterclass in composed batting.
His elegant strokes and calculated risks under pressure were exemplary, which helped Sri Lanka set a challenging target. Despite his brilliant century, the match is often remembered for the heroics of India’s MS Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir, who steered India to a historic victory.
Jayawardene’s innings, filled with style and elegance, remains a standout performance, etched in the memories of cricket fans worldwide as a classic example of batting excellence in a World Cup final.
7. Travis Head’s Impactful 137 in 2023
The last and the most fresh in the list – Travis Head’s magnificent 137 in the 2023 World Cup final is remembered as an innings that shattered India’s dreams in their home World Cup.
Facing a formidablе Indian bowling attack, Hеad rеmainеd calm and composеd undеr intеnsе prеssurе. His tactical pеrformancе against Mohammеd Shami’s tough opеning spеll еstablishеd thе groundwork for what was to comе. As thе innings progrеssеd, Hеad switchеd gеars, unlеashing a barragе of powerful shots that put India firmly on thе back foot.
His rеmarkablе innings not only lеd Australia to victory but also left a haunting mеmory for thе Indian fans, as it disruptеd India’s aspirations of World Cup glory on their homе soil.
Final Verdict
The journey through cricket history, highlighting those who achieved the remarkable feat of scoring a hundred in World Cup final, showcases the pinnacle of cricketing excellence. From Clive Lloyd’s groundbreaking century to Travis Head’s dream-shattering innings, each century is a testament to ability and resilience on cricket’s biggest stage.
These legendary events, ingrained in cricket history, never fail to enthral and excite spectators, capturing the essence and fervour that lends the game its gloriously unpredictable quality.
