Dyer straight and personal on Aus success

IT wouldn't be wrong to say that Australia's ODI World Cup dominance has its roots in Kolkata, India. Exactly 36 years ago (in order to be more precise, add a few days as the final was held on November 8, 1987) it was here at the Eden Gardens that they won their first World Cup, beating favourites England by seven runs in the final.

- FIROZ MIRZA

As their legendary all-rounder and former skipper Steve Waugh, who was part of that campaign, once famously said later, Aussies were rank outsiders in the tournament and the triumph turned out to be a turning point in the country's cricketing history.

Chasing 254, Bill Athey and captain Mike Gatting added 69 for the third wicket with England cruising at 135/2 in the 32nd over: Looking for a breakthrough, Australian skipper Allan Border brought himself in the next over.

What transpired the next ball is now part of cricket's folklore.

Gatting, who was batting on 41, decided to reverse sweep Border's delivery wide outside the leg stump, which could have been adjudged wide had he left it. The shot selection meant the ball chipped Gatting's bat before hitting his shoulder and then flying into the air which was pouched by Aussie wicketkeeper Greg Dyer. The wicket turned the tide in Australia's favour as they went on to win the final. In the next two decades, they won three more titles in a row-1999, 2003 and 2007- emerging as the most dominant team.