Winners of the Man of the Match in the Cricket World Cup Final – Everything you need to know.

Who was adjudged the man of the match in the 2019 World Cup Final? Which players won the Man of the Match in each of the Cricket World Cup Finals?

As acclaimed American author Mark Twain once said,

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”

– Mark Twain

This quote perfectly epitomizes the World Cup Final for cricketers. It is the pinnacle of achievement, the day many of them dreamed of as a kid.

If you help your team conquer the World Cup Final, your legacy is etched in stone forever and you finally find out what you were born to do.

Without further ado, here is everything you need to know about the player of the match award winners in each ODI Cricket World Cup.

Key Takeaways

• Ben Stokes won the most recent player of the match award in the 2019 World Cup Final.
• The distribution of the man of the match in WC Finals coincide with the World Cup winners: 5 from Australia and the rest as follows: West Indies, India (2), England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka (1).
• 7 player of the final winners had all-round contributions, two were bowlers, two keepers, and one (surprisingly, Ben Stokes) contributing only as a batter.

At a Glance: Man of the Match in the Cricket World Cup Final

Player	World Cup	Performance
Clive Lloyd	1975	102 (85) 1/38 1 Run-Out Captain
Sir Vivian Richards	1979	138 (157) 0/35 1 Catch
Mohinder Amarnath	1983	26 (80) 3/12
David Boon	1987	75 (125) 1 Run Out
Wasim Akram	1992	33 (18) & 3/49
Aravinda de Silva	1996	107*(124) 3/42 2 Catches
Shane Warne	1999	4/33
Ricky Ponting	2003	140*(121) Captain
Adam Gilchrist	2007	149(104) 2 Catches 1 Stumping
Mahendra Singh Dhoni	2011	91*(79) 1 Run-Out 1 Catch Captain
James Faulkner	2015	3/36
Ben Stokes	2019	84*(98)

List of Award Winners: Man of the Match in the Cricket World Cup Final

1. Sir Clive Lloyd (West Indies), 1975 Prudential World Cup Final

Performance: Century, Wicket, Run-Out, Captain

Result: West Indies defeat Australia by 17 runs

• Runs: 102 (85)
• Strike Rate: 120.00
• 4s/6s: 12/2
• Wickets: 12-1-38-1
• Economy: 3.16

Match Situation

Batting first, West Indies were in a precarious position at 50/3. In comes captain cool, Clive Lloyd, and stitches a 149-run partnership with Rohan Kanhai against the Australians. West Indies end at 291/8 after their 60 overs. Imagine, a 120-strike rate in 1975. That too in a World Cup Final.

Australia start out well in response. Standing at 115-2, the Chappell brothers look to carry Australia home before Lloyd-Richards run out captain Ian Chappell for 62. No worries, Australia are still in the game at 170-4 with Doug Walters at 35.

Not anymore. Walters bowled Lloyd, reads the scorecard the next ball. Australia fight it out till 274, but the match was lost much before that.

Scorecard: WI vs AUS, Prudential World Cup 1975, Final at London, June 21, 1975

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2. Sir Vivian Richards (West Indies), 1979 Prudential World Cup Final

Performance: Century, Economical Bowling, Catch

Result: West Indies defeat England by 92 runs

• Runs: 138* (157)
• Strike Rate: 87.89
• 4s/6s: 11/3
• Wickets: 10-0-35-0
• Economy: 3.50

Match Situation:

I will read you the scorecard of nine players for WI that day. 20, 13, 9, 45, 4, 0,0, 0, 0*. Collis King scored 86 (66) & Viv Richards scored 138*(157).

Richards came to the crease when Greenidge departed. When he began, the score was 22/1. Then, be batted and batted and batted. In the end, West Indies had 286/9 in 60 overs.

Brearley-Boycott began slowly but steadily taking England to 129. Joel Garner, though, had other plans. His figures read 5/38 as England collapsed from 129/0 to 194/10.

A classic from Vivian Richards. A sign for more to come in the next decade.

Scorecard: WI vs ENG, Prudential World Cup 1979, Final at London, June 23, 1979

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3. Mohinder Amarnath (India), 1983 Prudential World Cup Final

Performance: 3 Wickets, Runs on the Board

Result: India defeat West Indies by 43 Runs

• Runs: 26 (80)
• Strike Rate: 32.50
• 4s/6s: 3/0
• Wickets: 7-0-12-3
• Economy: 1.71

Match Situation:

When you think of Mohinder Amarnath, you think of his batting exploits and Test centuries. Not in the 1983 final.

With Dujon & Marshall in a 43-run partnership, there was still outside hope for the West Indies. They had recovered from 76/6. Then Amarnath took the wickets of Dujon, Marshall, and Holding to wrap up a famous victory for Team India.

Earlier, he was India’s third highest scorer with 26 runs, surviving the early spells of the West Indian fast bowlers.

Scorecard: IND vs WI, Prudential World Cup 1983, Final at London, June 25, 1983

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4. David Boon (Australia), 1987 Reliance World Cup Final

Performance: 75 (125), Run-Out

Result: Australia defeat England by 7 Runs

• Runs: 75 (125)
• Strike Rate: 60.00
• 4s/6s: 7/0

Match Situation:

One of the closest World Cup Finals. While it was Mike Veletta’s 45*(31) that propelled Australia to 253, it was David Boon’s steady 75 that provided Australia with the base.

England had contributions from Gooch, Bill Athey, Mike Gatting, Allan Lamb that drew them close , but the lower order couldn’t push through.

Boon also inflicted John Emburey’s run-out.

Scorecard: AUS vs ENG, Reliance World Cup 1987/88, Final at Kolkata, November 08, 1987

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5. Wasim Akram (Pakistan), 1992 Benson & Hedges World Cup Final

Performance: 33 (18) & 3/49

Result: Pakistan defeat England by 22 runs

• Runs: 33 (18)
• Strike Rate: 183.33
• 4s/6s: 4/0
• Wickets: 10-0-49-3
• Economy: 4.90

Match Situation:

A true all-round performance by Wasim Akram. Wasim came it at #6 with Pakistan at 197/4 in 43.3 overs. Imran Khan had departed for 72, but Wasim provided Inzamam support with a quick 33 (18) to take Pakistan to a competitive 249/6.

Wasim first nicked England’s golden boy, Ian Botham for a duck in the third over. Still, England recovered from 69/4 to 141/4. Then came in Wasim and delivered those two deliveres to Allan Lamb & Chris Lewis. England 141/6 and never recovered.

Scorecard: PAK vs ENG, Benson & Hedges World Cup 1991/92, Final at Melbourne, March 25, 1992

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6. Aravinda de Silva (Sri Lanka), 1996 Wills World Cup Final

Performance: Century, 3 Wickets, 2 Catches

Result: Sri Lanka Defeat Australia by 7 Wickets

• Runs: 107*(124)
• Strike Rate:
• 4s/6s: 13/0
• Wickets: 9-0-42-3
• Economy:

Match Situation:

Wickets, runs, catches. Aravinda de Silva provided an all-round spectacle for the generation.

His off-breaks had taken out a dangerous Mark Taylor for 74, Ricky Ponting for 45, and Ian Healy for two. To top it off, he took catches to dismiss Steve Waugh and Stuart Law.

However, Australia had runs on the board with 241 runs and the famous Jayasuriya-Kaluwitharana pair were back in the hut within 23 runs. Then, Aravinda de Silva formed two partnerships to take Sri Lanaka home.

Gurusinha-de Silva scored 125 together, while de Silva & Ranatunga put together 97 runs to take Sri Lanka home with 22 balls remaining.

Scorecard: AUS vs SL, Wills World Cup 1995/96, Final at Lahore, March 17, 1996

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7. Shane Warne (Australia), 1999 ICC World Cup Final

Performance: 4/33

Result: Australia defeat Pakistan by 8 Wickets

• Wickets: 9-1-33-4
• Economy: 3.66

Match Situation:

An anti-climactic final. At 77-3 , Pakistan were decently poised.

Then came Warne. Ijaz Ahmed. Moin Khan. Shahid Afridi. Wasim Akram. All back in the pavilion. Pakistan would collapse for 132 in 39 overs. Australia chased it with almost 30 overs to spare.

Scorecard: PAK vs AUS, ICC World Cup 1999, Final at London, June 20, 1999

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8. Ricky Ponting (Australia), 2003 ICC World Cup Final

Performance: 140*(121), Captain

Result: Australia defeat India by 125 Runs

• Runs: 140*(121)
• Strike Rate: 115.70
• 4s/6s: 4/8

Match Situation:

Sourav Ganguly won the toss and chose to field first. Match was lost right there or so is what the narrative suggests. In reality, it was an exhibition of high-quality batting.

Gilchrist & Hayden set the tone with 105-runs in just 14 overs (Gilchrist would take it to a whole new level in the next edition). Ricky Ponting made sure there was no spot in the field left to score. 8 sixes, fours. Ponting, 140*, Martyn 88*, Australia 359/2.

Tendulkar out in the first over. India lose by 125 runs.

Scorecard: AUS vs IND, ICC World Cup 2002/03, Final at Johannesburg, March 23, 2003

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9. Adam Gilchrist (Australia), 2007 ICC World Cup Final

Performance: 149 (104), 2 catches, and 1 stumping

Result: Australia defeat Sri Lanka by 53 runs (D/L method)

• Runs: 149 (104)
• Strike Rate: 143.26
• 4s/6s: 13/8

Match Situation:

One of the least remembered World Cups. A tournament ridden with controversies, rain, mismanagement, Bob Woolmer’s death, and the financial loss induced by India-Pakistan’s early exits. For a few moments, the negativity was upstaged by one of the greatest final knocks.

Adam Gilchrist absolutely smashed it. 8 sixes, 143.26 SR. An opening partnership of 172 in 22.5 overs, in which Hayden only scored 38 (55).

And Gilchrist was not done. He did his part as a keeper by catching Tharanga & Russel Arnold and stumping Malinga at the end.

Scorecard: AUS vs SL, ICC World Cup 2006/07, Final at Bridgetown, April 28, 2007

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10. MS Dhoni (India), 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup Final

Performance: 91*(79), Run-Out, and a Catch

Result: India defeat Sri Lanka by 6 Wickets

• Runs: 91*(79)
• Strike Rate: 115.18
• 4s/6s: 8/2

Match Situation:

One of the best ODI chases by the greatest finisher in cricket’s history. Dhoni had played his part as a captain, caught behind Sangakkara for 48, and inflicted a run-out of Kulasekara at the end. However, it was Jayawardene’s blistering show of 103*(88) that took the match firmly into Sri Lanka’s favor.

At 31/2, with both Sehwag-Sachin in the hut and a review lost due to Malinga, there seemed to be no hope. The pressure of a home final. Then, began the recovery via Virat Kohli & Gautam Gambhir. This gave India some belief. When Kohli departed, another 161 runs were needed.

Then, came in MS Dhoni. Dhoni was struggling for form in the World Cup and Yuvraj Singh was player of the tournament contender. It turned out Dhoni came to tackle the Muralitharan factor and the decision paid dividends. The Gambhir-Dhoni duo stitched a 109 run-partnership and Dhoni-Yuvi finished it in style.

The final six is going to go down as one of the most iconic shots in Indian cricket history.

Scorecard: SL vs IND, ICC Cricket World Cup 2010/11, Final at Mumbai, April 02, 2011

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11. James Faulkner (Australia), 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup Final

Performance: 3/36

Result: Australia defeat New Zealand by 7 Wickets

• Wickets: 9-1-36-3
• Economy: 4.00

Match Situation:

After Starc had jolted the Kiwis with McCullum-size wicket, New Zealand had managed to somewhat recover. From 3/39 in 12.2, Ross Taylor & Grant Elliot had taken NZ to 150 in 35 overs. In that World Cup, with the powerplay rules, teams were comfortable doubling their scores after their 35th over. 300 was still possible.

In comes James Faulkner and bowls a really wide one to Taylor. Taylor, looking for the aggressive option, edges to Brad Haddin. Next Two balls later, Corey Anderson bowled for duck.

150-3. 150-4. 151-0-5. 151-6. 167-7. 183-10. Despite Aaron Finch’s duck, Australia chased it easily. Match over in a space of three deliveries.

Scorecard: NZ vs AUS, ICC Cricket World Cup 2014/15, Final at Melbourne, March 29, 2015

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12. Ben Stokes (England), 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup Final

Performance: 84*(98), 0/20

Result: Match Tied, England won in Super Over

• Runs: 84*(98)
• Strike Rate: 85.71
• 4s/6s: 5/2
• Wickets: 3-0-20-0
• Economy: 6.66

Match Situation:

This one is the freshest in all of our memories. One of the greatest ODI matches of all-time, and the best ending without a doubt.

New Zealand had runs on the board with 241, but England were still favorites to sweep them aside. But Matt Henry & de Grandhomme had other plans, combining with figures of 20-4-65-2. Joe Root had an off day at 7(30), and when captain Morgan was dismissed, England’s score stood at 86/4 in 23.1 overs. The Kiwis back in it.

Then came the recovery, led by Jos Buttler’s brisk 59 (60) with Stokes playing the supporting role. Lockie Ferguson brought his A game and would dismiss Buttler & Woakes in two balls.

At the end of the 47th over, Ben Stokes was 57*(87) and 33-runs were still needed. Then, the giant woke up. A couple of sixes, intense running, run-outs, Boult falling over the boundary, the dive that was deflected to the boundary. We all remember it like yesterday.

Stokes scored another 8*(3) in the Super Over and held his nerve.

A few moments later, Martin Guptill run out. By the barest of margins.

One of the all-time clutch performances of all-time.

Scorecard: NZ vs ENG, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Final at London, July 14, 2019

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Final Thoughts

Winning the man of the match in the Cricket World Cup Final is a prestigious achievement. Only have twelve have achieved it so far, and we remember all of their contributions fondly.

I hope we get to witness another memorable final and new heroes emerge. Who will it be this time?

Also Read: 155 Greatest Cricketers of All Time (Men’s), Top 5 Greatest Cricket Teams Ever To Be Assembled, Top 50 Greatest West Indies Cricketers of All Time: The Complete List (2023), Who has the Most Man of the Match Awards in International Cricket? The Greatest Match Winners in Cricket History

Frequently Asked Questions – Man of the Match in the Cricket World Cup Final

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