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Cricket World Cup moments: Benedict Bermange counts down from 70-61

Benedict Bermange’s ‘World Cup Moments’
Image: Benedict Bermange's World Cup Moments

Each and every Cricket World Cup has delivered some truly memorable moments and this summer's will be no different!

To help get you in the mood ahead of our biggest summer ever, Sky Sports Cricket statistician Benedict Bermange has compiled his top 70 World Cup moments.

So sit back and enjoy - and why not join the debate and share your memories by filling out the feedback form at the foot of this page? Then make sure you join us for the first match of the 2019 Cricket World Cup when hosts England take on South Africa at the Kia Oval - live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event from 9.30am on Thursday May 30.

70: David Houghton's 142 in a losing cause at Hyderabad in 1987
Half-centuries from Martin Crowe and Martin Snedden had taken New Zealand to 242, but Houghton waged a lone battle for Zimbabwe, and dominated a 117-run stand for the eighth wicket (then an ODI record) with Iain Butchart, to take his team close to a win. Six were needed off the last over, but Houghton's innings ended with a great catch by Crowe and Zimbabwe fell short by just four runs.

3 Jan 1997: David Houghton of Zimbabwe in action during the 3rd One Day International against England at the Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe
Image: David Houghton could not quite see Zimbabwe over the line in 1997

69: Andrew Symonds to the rescue in 2003 with 143 not out against Pakistan at Johannesburg in 2003
Australia were 86-4 against Pakistan and staring down the barrel because Symonds had made very little impact in his ODI career before then. He compiled a nerveless, unbeaten 143 from 125 balls and set the tone for Australia's unbeaten tournament.

FEBRUARY 11: Andrew Symonds of Australia hits out during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 Pool A match between Australia and Pakistan held on February 11, 2003 at The Wanderers, in Johannesburg, South Africa. Australia won the match by 82 runs.
Image: Andrew Symonds goes on the offensive for Australia at The Wanderers

68: Brendon McCullum hits 77 from 25 balls against England at Wellington in 2015
Chasing a modest target, McCullum decided to rub more salt into the Englishmen's wounds. He started the demolition act by cutting Stuart Broad's first delivery for a six. He clearly wanted to finish the match before the break and went berserk, smashing Steve Finn for six maximums, four of them coming off consecutive deliveries in the English bowler's second over. The carnage also saw him reach the fastest World Cup half-century in 18 deliveries.

during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup match between England and New Zealand at Wellington Regional Stadium on February 20, 2015 in Wellington, New Zealand.
Image: Brendon McCullum put on a batting masterclass against England in the 2015 World Cup

67: Sultan Zarawani coming out to bat in a sunhat against Allan Donald
The UAE had slumped to 68 for six when Sultan Zarawani walked out to face a rampant Allan Donald - in a sunhat. Donald bounced him, Zarawani took his eyes off the ball and it hit him on the head, knocking his hat off. The South African fielders converged around him, but to his credit, Zarawani replaced his hat and continued batting, eventually falling for a seven-ball duck.

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15 Feb 1996: Allan Donald of South Africa hits Sultan Zarawani of the United Arab Emirates on the head with the cricket ball during the cricket world cup in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Image: Sultan Zarawani wheels away after being struck by Allan Donald

66: Mark Waugh's third ton of 1996 takes Australia through their quarter-final against New Zealand
Clearly prospering in his role as an opener in the limited-overs game, Mark Waugh hit 110 in 112 balls to follow hundreds in the group games against Kenya and India. He helped Australia stroll past New Zealand's challenging target of 287 despite a slow outfield and Chris Harris's memorable 130 for the Kiwis.

11 Mar 1996: Mark Waugh batting taking Australia to victory during the World Cup Quarter Final between Australia and New Zealand played in Madras, India. Mandatory Credit: Graham Chadwick/ALLSPORT
Image: Mark Waugh powered Australia to victory during the quarter-final in Madras

65: Tim Southee routs England with 7-33 in 2015
Tim Southee produced one of the great fast bowling spells to take seven for 33 as England were bowled out for just 123 at Wellington, their third lowest World Cup total. Between the 27th and 33rd over, he took five for eight in 20 balls as England folded.

during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup match between England and New Zealand at Wellington Regional Stadium on February 20, 2015 in Wellington, New Zealand.
Image: Tim Southee turned in a spectacular spell against England in 2015 in Wellington

64: Kumar Sangakkara's fourth successive ODI century
Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara became the first player to score four successive one-day international centuries as his side beat Scotland in 2015. The left-hander hit 124 in a total of 363-9 in Hobart, to go with his previous tons in the tournament against Bangladesh, England and Australia.

during the 2015 Cricket World Cup match between Sri Lanka and Scotland at Bellerive Oval on March 11, 2015 in Hobart, Australia.
Image: Kumar Sangakkara celebrates another hundred - this time against Scotland

63: Shoaib Akhtar delivers the first 100mph delivery in 2003
Shoaib Akhtar bowled the fastest recorded ball in the history of cricket in the World Cup match against England at Newlands in 2003. The last ball of his second over was recorded at 161.3km/h or 100.2mph and completed a maiden over bowled at Nick Knight.

Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar shouts in joy after dismissing South African batsman Jacques Kallis (not in picture) during the third One Day International (ODI) .
Image: Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar shouts in joy after dismissing Jacques Kallis

62: Afghanistan beat Scotland in a thriller at Dunedin in 2015
Afghanistan beat Scotland by one wicket with three balls to spare to claim their first World Cup win. Chasing 211 in Dunedin, Afghanistan were reduced to 97-7 but Samiullah Shenwari's 96 gave them hope. He was caught on the boundary with 19 still required, but last man Shapoor Zadran hit the third ball of the final over for four to seal victory.

Afghanistan batsman Shapoor Zadran celebrates after hitting the winning runs to defeat Scotland in their 2015 Cricket World Cup Group A match in Dunedin on February 26, 2015. AFP PHOTO / William WEST (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)
Image: Afghanistan batsman Shapoor Zadran celebrates after hitting the winning runs to defeat Scotland

61: Dwayne Leverock's catch to dismiss Robin Uthappa at Port-of-Spain in 2007
Weighing in at about twenty stone, Dwayne Leverock was in the slips for Malachi Jones' first over of the match when Indian opener Robin Uthappa edged one. Leverock dived full-length to his right and pouched a remarkable one-handed catch to send the Indian batsman packing. Leverock completed the athletic catch with a victory lap in Queen's Park Oval, Trinidad.

Dwayne Leverock's blinding catch couldn't save Bermuda from defeat against India
Image: Dwayne Leverock's blinding catch couldn't save Bermuda from defeat against India

Watch the opening match of the 2019 Cricket World Cup - featuring England and South Africa - live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event from 9.30am on Thursday May 30.

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