How Australia Lost the 1992 World Cup: Key Points?

5 times World Cup winners who were victorious in every continent faced defeat in their backyard.

Australia is always a definite challenger of the trophy in every World Cup. 87′, 03′, 07′ or ’16: the victorious Aussies have always dominated with a firm character which is what they are known for. 

However, the story of 92′ might be seen as a missed opportunity in Australian cricket history. Prior to the World Cup 92′, Australia battered India in a 5-0 test win. There was turmoil though, dropping Marsh was against the wish of Border before the final test match. 

Also, 17 days before the World Cup, Australian players were required to take part in 2 Sheffield series matches. At the time, things were perplexed and there was restlessness in the minds of the Australian players. 

“Everyone was tired and this resulted in poor preparation”, Peter Taylor, the off-spinner mentioned. Also, taking in account that a rapid transition from test matches to high pressure one-day was never going to work out.

Indeed, the group’s little preparedness becomes a regular point of dispute. In the beginning, Australia struggled against New Zealand. They failed to adapt to the recognised circumstances of a slow, low, clay-based wicket.

Their next match was against South Africa in Sydney and it resulted in a loss. Border’s side found themselves in a dangerous situation after losing their third of four matches, this time to England in Sydney, despite a dramatic one-run triumph against India at the Gabba.

Australia finished the tournament with four victories and four defeats, defeating Zimbabwe and the West Indies.

They had a slight possibility of reaching the final four going into that last match, but their fifth-place result seemed a fair depiction of their campaign, especially given that all of their losses had come against semi-finalists.

We last saw Peter Taylor, Bruce Reid, and Marsh in the 1992 event, and within two years, six regular starters had played their farewell match as the senior quartet of Taylor, Ian Healy, and the Waughs ushered in a new era. 

Only those four players, together with a limping Craig McDermott, qualified for the following World Cup, when Australia was defeated by Sri Lanka in the final.