#751
One-Day International cricket has completed a remarkable journey. On 7 August 2026, Scotland defeated Canada by nine runs in Dundee in what became the 5000th men’s ODI, exactly 55 years, seven months and a few days after the format’s accidental birth.
That first match, on 5 January 1971 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, was a rain-affected afterthought. The third Ashes Test had been washed out, so Australia and England played a 40-over (eight-ball overs) game. Australia chased 191 and won by five wickets. Few present imagined they were watching the start of a format that would define modern cricket.
I was eight years old then. Four years later, as a Grade 8 student, I followed the 1975 World Cup in England with pure fascination. Eight teams, white clothes, red ball, and a final that stretched deep into the Indian night on the longest day of the northern hemisphere. We laughed that a cricket World Cup was happening so soon after West Germany’s football triumph in 1974. The game has changed beyond recognition since — coloured kits, white balls, day-night matches, powerplays, and now the shadow of T20 leagues. Many fans of my generation feel both the 50-over game and Test cricket are on life support. Still, the first 3500-odd ODIs produced moments that remain etched in memory. Here are my personal top five matches from those 5000, followed by five unforgettable individual performances.
#5: India beat Pakistan, Sharjah, 22 March 1985
India scraped to 125 on a difficult pitch. Imran Khan took 6 for 14. Pakistan then collapsed to 87. Kapil Dev, Ravi Shastri and Laxman Sivaramakrishnan did the damage. No television for many of us in India — pure radio tension as the low-scoring thriller unfolded. India won by 38 runs.
#4: South Africa chase 435 to beat Australia, Johannesburg, 12 March 2006
Australia posted a then-record 434 for 4, Ricky Ponting 164. South Africa replied with 438 for 9. Herschelle Gibbs smashed 175, Graeme Smith 90, and Mark Boucher finished it with a boundary off the penultimate ball. The highest successful chase in ODI history at the time, and still one of the greatest games ever played.
#3: England beat New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup final
At Lord’s the scores finished level at 241. The Super Over also finished level at 15. England won on boundary count. Ben Stokes’ extraordinary 84 not out, the overthrows, the drama — followed mostly on radio and web, with the Super Over on television. An unforgettable, chaotic classic.
#2: West Indies beat Pakistan, 1975 World Cup, Edgbaston
Chasing 267, West Indies slumped to 203 for 9. Deryck Murray (61 not out) and Andy Roberts (24 not out) put on an unbroken 64 for the tenth wicket. They won with two balls to spare. Still the highest successful tenth-wicket stand in a winning cause in a World Cup.
#1: West Indies beat Australia by 17 runs, 1975 World Cup final, Lord’s
Clive Lloyd’s magnificent 102, supported by Rohan Kanhai’s 55, took West Indies to 291 for 8. Australia reached 274. Viv Richards’ three run-outs in the field were decisive. The first World Cup final remains pure magic.
Top 5 individual performances
#5: Viv Richards 189 not out vs England, Old Trafford, 1984
West Indies were 166 for 9. Richards and Michael Holding added 106 unbroken. Richards finished on 189 off 170 balls — still among the greatest ODI innings ever.
#4: Winston Davis 7 for 51 vs Australia, 1983 World Cup
At Headingley the young fast bowler produced the best figures in ODI history at the time, routing Australia for 151 after West Indies made 252.
#3: Jonty Rhodes’ fielding vs West Indies, Brabourne Stadium, 1993
Five catches in one innings — a world record for a non-wicketkeeper that still stands. Rhodes redefined what was possible in the field.
#2: Collis King 86 vs England, 1979 World Cup final
Coming in at 99 for 4, King smashed 86 off 66 balls while Viv Richards played the supporting role. Their 139-run stand turned the match; West Indies won comfortably.
#1: Lance Klusener 31 not out off 16 balls, 1999 World Cup semi-final
Needing nine off the last over against Australia at Edgbaston, Klusener hit two fours to level the scores. The subsequent run-out of Allan Donald produced a tie, and Australia advanced. Heartbreak, but pure theatre.
Honourable mentions: Douglas Marillier’s scoop shot that dismantled India in 2002-03, and Greg Chappell’s underarm delivery against New Zealand in 1981 that caused international outrage.
Five thousand matches. Fifty-five years. From a wet Melbourne Tuesday to a quiet ground in Dundee. The one-day game may feel overshadowed now, but its greatest days still glow.
What were your memorable moments in these 55 years?
Karthik.
12/8/26
9am.
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