It is not inconceivable that Malcolm Marshall could have won the World Cup for them had he played. New Zealand, too, were in transition in the absence of Richard Hadlee. Sri Lanka, in the field, were utterly defensive, and confronted by mountainous totals their talented batsmen were crushed. Like the Sri Lankans, the Zimbabweans returned home without a victory, but they gained many friends by their fielding - giving themselves as professionals never quite could - and many sympathisers by their naive mistakes and run-outs. For sheer heroism, the innings of the World Cup was David Houghton's 142 against New Zealand.

Most of the talk before the two semifinals even began was that of a 'dream final' between hosts India and Pakistan but what transpired in the next three games actually dictated the 1990s.

Gaddafi Stadium hosted the first semifinal between hosts Pakistan and Australia. Interestingly, this was Australia's first match on Pakistani soil in the tournament. Nevertheless, their openers Boon and Marsh gave them a solid start with little 'Boony' hitting 65. Unheralded middle-order batsman Mike Veletta struck 48 but it was all-rounder Steve Waugh's 38 off 32 balls, including 18 off the final over off Jaffer that swung the game the Australians' way. They ended up with 267 for 8, and in that day, it was usually a winning score.

Australia rallied around their bowlers and hustled their way towards a place in the World Cup final. They had to removed the experienced duo of Imran and Javed who were looking dangerous with a 112-run partnership in the middle overs but skipper Border, with his innocuous left-arm spin, had his opposite number caught for 58 by Greg Dyer. The crowd gave Imran a rousing send-off as it was his final appearance in the Pakistan cap. Miandad fell soon after and Australia won by 24 runs. Fast bowler Craig 'Billy' McDermott claimed five wickets in the match.

Away in Bombay, India faced England in another epic battle which didn't quite go as was expected. Graham Gooch swept his way to a superb 115 as England piled on 254 on a sporting wicket at the Wankhede.

But it was the English tweaker Eddie Hemmings who came out on tops with a crucial four-wicket haul that hauled England back after Mohammad Azharuddin had threatened to run away with the match. When Azar fell, India were collapsing and lost all their wickets for 219, falling short by 35 runs.

So it was the final of the 'auld' enemy at the greatest of all cricketing venues the Eden Gardens in Calcutta (later to be known as Kolkata). England taking on Australia when it was supposed to be India v Pakistan. The crowd bought it and the capacity saw one of the most enthralling finals in ages.

David Boon gave the men from Down Under a superb start with a magnificent 75, studded with sweetly timed boundaries. He did not get much support but again, it was journeyman Veletta who mopped it up in the end, scoring a thrilling 45 off 31 balls. The running between the wickets of Veletta and a young Waugh was brilliant. Australia, in the face of some disciplined bowling, reached 253. Again, this was a winning total in those days.

England lost Robinson in the opening over but Bill Athey and Gooch steadied the ship. Skipper Mike Gatting had it going his way until he uncannily reverse-swept his opposite number Border straight to Gregg Dyer. That was the death-knell as Steve Waugh's tight final over saw the Australians winning their first (of many) triumphs.

The sight of Alan Border on top of his comrades was the insignia on a brilliant tournament that had thrills, spills and some of the best cricketing moments of the decade.