On this day: Australia win CWC99

On this day in 1999, Australia defeated Pakistan by eight wickets at Lord’s to lift the Men’s Cricket World Cup for the second time in their history.

It had all the promise of a classic, but in fact, turned out to be the most one-sided final in the tournament’s history, as Australia turned on the style on the biggest stage.

Pakistan came into the final in red-hot form, and had even beaten Australia at Headingley in the group stage, but fell well short when it mattered most in the final.

Australia, meanwhile, had lost two of their opening three games, and in the words of Adam Gilchrist were “on a knife-edge most of the tournament”, and couldn’t afford any slip ups after a slow start.

On the day of the final at the home of cricket, Pakistan captain Wasim Akram won the first battle – winning the toss and electing to bat – but it was one of very few things to cheer for his team and fans that day.

Australia were on the front foot almost immediately, as both of Pakistan’s openers were back in the pavilion after just 5.1 overs. From that point on, it was all Australia.

Only one Pakistan batsman – Ijaz Ahmed – passed 20, as Shane Warne was at his devastating best. Warne disposed of Ijaz, Moin Khan, Shahid Afridi and Wasim Akram as he finished with figures of 4/33 from nine overs.

As usual, Glenn McGrath was extremely economical opening up with the ball, taking 2/13, with Tom Moody almost grabbing a brace of wickets to help dismiss Pakistan for just 132 from 39 overs.

In reply, the Australians – most notably Adam Gilchrist – were in no mood to hang about. Gilchrist’s blitz of 54 from 36 balls helped Australia to 75 from 10 overs before he was dismissed by Saqlain Mushtaq.

It was by no means the start of a collapse though, as Mark Waugh (37*), Ricky Ponting (24) and Darren Lehmann (13*) helped them to their target in just over 20 overs, ensuring Australian hands on the trophy for the first time since 1987.