The 1979 Cricket World Cup (Prudential World Cup, 1979) 


was the second
edition of the tournament and was won by the West Indies. It was held
from June 9 to June 23, 1979 in England. The format had remained
unchanged from 1975. Eight countries participated in the event. The
preliminary matches were played in 2 groups of 4 each. The top two
teams in each group played the semifinals, whose winners played the
final.The matches played consisted of 60 overs per team and were
played in traditional white clothing and with red balls. They were all
played during the day and hence started early.The Prudential Cup was
lifted by Clive Lloyd, captain of the West Indies who started as the
favorites to win the cup again. There was no 'Man of the Series'
awarded in 1979



Highlights:



1979 World Cup final was played between West Indies & England.England
won the toss and chose to field first. The West Indies got off to a
bad start, falling to 99/4. However, Vivian Richards (138 from 157
balls ) and Collis King (86 from 66 balls) consolidated the innings.
Vivian Richards and the tail then took the West Indies to a very
imposing total of 286 (9 wickets, 60 overs).

The English batsmen got off to a good start. But the openers, Mike
Brearley (64 from 130 balls) and Geoff Boycott (57 from 105 balls)
scored very slowly. They put together a very methodical opening
partnership of 129 runs in 38 overs, playing as if the match were a
five-day Test. By the time both batsmen were out, the required run
rate had risen too high. Graham Gooch played some hefty strokes in
scoring his 32, taking England to 183/2. However, the loss of Gooch
triggered the most devastating collapse in World Cup history, as
England lost 8/11. They were eventually all out for 194 in 51 overs.
Vivian Richards was declared Man of the Match.

It is well known that Windies captain Lloyd is an excellent fielder.
But Lloyd has dropped an easy catch, that too in 1970 World cup
final.Lloyd has dropped Boycott in this match. incidentally this
mistake helped Windies to lift the 1979 Cricket world cup.Boycott has
scored 57off 105 balls. All other batsmen lost their wickets trying
play big strokes. England was all out for 194 and Windies became World
champions for the second time.