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How does Stokes' 'star turn' compare to other World Cup triumphs?
| Published: 8th May 2020 13:30 |
The sight of Ben Stokes lifting the Cricket World Cup trophy in last year’s final was truly life-affirming, especially as it came after a dreadful 2015 World Cup for England. A tally of 84 not only made Stokes only the fourth-ever top batsman on the winning side in a World Cup final, but how does it stand up against the performances of other top-scoring final winners?
Caption: Stokes Forces Super Over – ICC Cricket World Cup Final 2019
Opposition quality
Naturally, there have been far better all-round performances from key players at prior World Cup finals. The laboured nature of England’s victory, after the first-ever ‘drawn’ World Cup final, was underneath the expectations of most bookmakers.
For instance, the India team of 1983 notably faced a West Indies side that had won the previous two tournaments, and went into that final as underdogs. Kapil Dev led by example for India, with a pivotal moment seeing him catch out 1979 hero Viv Richards, dismissing the danger man for just 33.
In terms of pure numbers, however, Ricky Ponting’s performance in the 2003 is arguably the best vintage amidst all winning performances at a World Cup final. As shown in the statistical breakdown below, Ricky Ponting, Sir Viv Richards and 2011 hero Mahela Jayawardene are the only three top scorers at a final to achieve a century and avoid dismissal.
Route to the final
It is difficult to envisage Ponting’s all-round performance in the 2003 final being emulated in the future. Even today, the ripple effect is being felt, with Australia continually enjoying good favour within the latest cricket betting markets and news updates. Even so, there are other micro-arguments in favour of exalting Stokes’ performance in the 2019 final.
The 2019 World Cup was unique in that every team played one another at least once. Nine group games for every team represents a gruelling schedule, and one that demands peak fitness. In previous years, the stronger teams could theoretically be evaded altogether.
England were afforded no such privilege, but made the most of a difficult start, with a strong opening day display against South Africa:
England would lose three of the following six games, putting their progression from the group stage in minor jeopardy. As such, it is a testament to the character of Stokes and co. that they were able to produce when it really mattered, closing the group stage with victories against dangerous India and New Zealand sides.
Long-term impact
In terms of comparing Stokes to the likes of Richards, Ponting and Jayawardene, one other consideration is the long-term effect a World Cup triumph has on a nation. It is too early to gauge how much England will grow from their World Cup triumph, but early signs appear underwhelming.
Most disappointingly of all, England were unable to build on the World Cup and take the Ashes, and global events since have made accurate analysis of the knock-on effect impossible in practice.
In terms of the intensity of its ripple effect, Stokes’ star turn last July has some stern competition, with World Cup wins for the West Indies (1975) and Australia (1999) both preceding a successful defence. Another triumph for England, in the unforgiving climate that ‘India 2023’ promises, will be enough to undisputedly give Stokes equal footing with Ponting and Richards in the annals of World Cup history.
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