The England Cricket Team: Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Bride

The Cricket World Cup is fast approaching and the hosts, England, will be hoping to finally lift the coveted trophy. 

England may have hosted four of the previous 11 Cricket World Cups, but they’ve only managed to finish runner-up in one of those they’ve hosted. They’ve been the bridesmaid on three occasions, could 2019 finally be the year that England becomes the bride? 

They’re the favourites to win in cricket betting, but let’s take a look at their previous attempts where they’ve fallen just short.

1979

After their disappointing defeat at the hands of Australia, while hosting the inaugural Cricket World Cup, England came back four years later determined to win the tournament. They again entered as the host nation and in the group stage were drawn against Pakistan, Australia, and Canada in group A.

In the first match of the tournament, England got their revenge on Australia, defeating them by six wickets at Lord’s. They then faced a Canadian side who were given little hope of winning at Old Trafford. Canada managed 45 runs in 40.3 overs and it took England just 13.5 overs to reach 46 runs.

Their final match was against Pakistan at Headingley. Both teams had won their opening two games, meaning this was a battle for the top spot in group A. England were 165 for nine by the end of the innings, but Pakistan failed to beat the total, finishing with a score of 151 all out after 56 overs.

England were then pitted against New Zealand at Old Trafford in what was always going to be a close match. England won by nine runs, with Mike Brearley and Graham Gooch rescuing the innings after a poor start.

West Indies were the opponents in the final, and England were up against an incredible player in Vivian Richards. England failed to chase down the Windies’ score of 289 for nine after 60 overs and could only manage 194 all out after 51 overs. The dreams of a first title were put on hold.

1987

By the time the 1987 Cricket World Cup rolled around, the format of the tournament had changed. Whereas previously the four teams in the group would play each other once, they would now play each other twice. 

Pakistan was one of the hosts and dominated group B, winning five and losing once – to the West Indies. England, on the other hand, won four times and lost twice, beating the West Indies on both occasions, but losing to group winners Pakistan twice.

England and Pakistan progressed to the semi-finals and were pitted against India and Australia respectively.

The hosts lost to Australia by 18 runs at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, while England took the game to the other hosts India and came out on top by 35 runs. 

With the two hosts eliminated, the final showdown was between England and Australia. Eden Gardens, Calcutta was the location for the close final. Australia batted first, and their batsmen impressed, scoring 253/5 in 50 overs. England looked just as strong, but fell short in the end, managing 246/8 from 50 overs. England again had to wait to win the elusive trophy. 

1992

Australia and New Zealand were the hosts for the 1992 Cricket World Cup and again, England looked strong going into the tournament.

Again there was another change in the rules, with all nine teams playing each other once in one big group. The top four progressed to the semi-finals in this format.

England won five, lost two and had one no result, which was down to the rain stopping play during their match against Pakistan. New Zealand, South Africa, and Pakistan progressed with England. 

The semi-final saw England paired with South Africa, defeating them by 20 runs. In the other semi-final, Pakistan beat New Zealand by four wickets.

Fans would finally get to see a full match between England and Pakistan when the two took each other on in the final. Despite a slow start in batting, after the halfway mark, Pakistan picked up the pace and scored 249 for six from 50 overs. 

England suffered a dreadful start, and while the partnership of Allan Lamb and Neil Fairbrother got England back into the game, the team could only muster 227 all out. Pakistan won by 22 runs and yet again England was left to wait for a Cricket World Cup title.

It’s been rotten luck for England in the past, having lost to three different opponents in the final, but maybe this time their luck will be in.