1975 Cricket World Cup (Prudential Cup)
The 1975 Cricket World Cup was the first edition of the International
Cricket Council's (ICC) cricket world cup. It was held from 7 June to
21 June 1975 in England. The tournament was sponsored by Prudential
Assurance Company and had 8 participating countries. These were the 6Test playing teams of that time (namely Australia, England, India, New
Zealand, Pakistan & West Indies) and Sri Lanka & East Africa. The
preliminary matches were played in 2 groups of 4 each. The top two
teams from each group then played the knock-out rounds of semi-finals
and final.
The matches were played as 60 overs per team in traditional white
clothing and with red balls. They were all played during the day and,
hence, started early. One of the most bizarre batting efforts in
one-day history was made by Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar. England
scored 334 (4 wickets, 60 overs) with Dennis Amiss (137 from 147
balls, 18 fours) scoring the first ever World Cup century, nobly
supported by Keith Fletcher (68 from 107 balls, 4 fours, 1 six). The
response of Gavaskar (36 from 174 balls, 1 four) was to bat through
the 60 overs for 36 not out.
The Prudential Cup was lifted by Clive Lloyd, captain of West Indies,
who had started the tournament as the favourites.
Highlight:
1st World up final, Windies scored 291. Australia's chase
was on song at 81/1. Just the, Turner played to midwicket and set off
for a single, but Richards's direct hit saw him short of batting
crease and Turner was run-out.Shortly, Greg Chappel was also run-out
by Richards.But captain Ian Chappel's 62 runs steadied the ship and
taken Aussies to strong position of 162/3. Ian Chappel also played the
ball towards mid-wicket and set of for a single, but tried to return
to crease on seeing speeding Richards towards ball. but by then
Richrds's direct hit saw him short of crease. These unbelievable 3 run
outs are the reason for Windies becoming 1st World cup champions.