Awesome West Indies Ruled First World Cup

In 1975 when the cricket’s mega event first world cup was launched West Indies was an almost invincible team with several of their all-time greats ruling the cricket world. Limited over version of the game was just getting popularity across the cricket world after setting its root in mother country England. West Indies and Pakistan had comparative edge as many of their top cricketers were playing as professionals in different English counties.
The 1975 Cricket World Cup (officially called the Prudential Cup) was the first edition of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Cricket World Cup. It was held from 7 to 21 June 1975 in England. Cricket’s first global competition involving eight countries and 112 players took off under clear blue cloudless sky at the home of cricket Iconic Lords Cricket Ground on the first Saturday of June 1975. Kerry Packer Channel 9 Cricket did not start yet .

The tournament was sponsored by Prudential Assurance Company and had 8 participating countries. These were the 6 Test playing teams of that time (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.
Believe it or not Women’s world cup was in place two years before men’s. Spurred by the tremendous interest generated in the women’s world cup imitators were encouraged for the men’s event. Australia had just pulverized England in the prestigious Ashes and were tipped very strongly by experts including master commentator Henry Blofeld .However, few others including legendary English Cricketer Jim Laker believed England which has players well experienced in limited over version of the game will win all matches. Though some experts thought West Indies possessing some of the most talented cricketers of contemporary period had bright prospects no one actually believed they would actually win it . Their chances almost evaporated when legendary all-rounder arguably all-time best Sir Garfield Sobers was forced to withdraw through groin injury. Tall powerfully built Clive Llyod was unifying the talents of the Caribbean creams .Emerging Andy Roberts was at his disposal as a real match to Lillee –Thomson ruling the roost at that time.

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. He was absolutely out of touch. One Indian fan was so perturbed at his batting that he punched two policemen and was sentenced to six months jail.
The format of the first world cup was 2 groups of six teams, and each team playing each other. The top two team from each group then advance to the Semi Finals where the winners then advance (qualified) to the finals.
The first Cricket World Cup was played in England on seven different venues. A total of 16 matches were played in the 1975 Cricket World Cup including 2 Semifinals and a Final match.
England hosted the each of the first three competitions. The ICC decided that England should host the first tournament because it was ready to put the resources needed in organizing the inaugural event. India proposed that it should host the third Cricket World Cup, but most ICC members believed England was a more suitable venue because longer period of daylight in June. This meant that a match could be completed in one day.

England rolled over miserable India having no clue of limited over cricket. Replying to a mammoth England score of 334/4 India grinded and grafted for 60 overs scoring only 132/3 in allotted overs. It was not a race of hare and tortoise .Sunil Gavasker opened the innings and remained unbeaten scoring 36 . This experience perhaps is hurting that Indian legend till now. New Zealand dispatched East Africa very easily and got the better of India. England crashed East Africa and also easily beat New Zealand.

Pakistan must consider them distinctly unlucky not to have won the match against West Indies after pushing West Indies the ultimate winners of the event to the brink. A brave last wicket partnership of Andy Roberts and wicket Keeper Murray deprived them when Pakistan captain had only Wasim Raja to bowl the all-important last over. Australia had easy victory over Pakistan but comfortably lost to strong West Indies .Sri Lanka was no match for West Indies and Pakistan but competed well admirably with Australia.
Semi Finals:
England & New Zealand from Group A and West Indies & Australia qualified for the Semifinals. England played Australia and New Zealand Encountered West Indies in the semifinals.

1st Semi Final :England v Australia at Leeds – Jun 18, 1975

England 93 (36.2/60 ov); Australia 94/6 (28.4/60 ov)

Four men awesome Australian attack of Lillee ,Thomson , Walker and Gilmour exploiting pacey wicket and swinging condition crushed Englishmen to 93 all out in 36.2 overs .At one stage England were 8/52 mainly due to penetrative bowling at pace by Gary Gilmour .Max Walker was also very lethal . Gilmour in his 12 overs picked 6/14 which is one of the best world cup bowling ever, Walker took 3/ 22.Of the English batsmen only Mike Denness (27) and GG Arnold (18* ) could reach double figures. Australia in response also had to encounter masters of such conditions CM Old (3/29,) J Snow (2/30 ) on a very difficult wicket before knocking out hosts by 4 wickets in low scoring match. Gilmour (28*) again batted courageously when his team was looking shaky at 6/39. His unbeaten partnership with KD Walters (20*) of 55 proved decisive. His was one of the best all round performance in the world cup history.

2nd SF: New Zealand v West Indies at The Oval – Jun 18, 1975

New Zealand 158 (52.2/60 ov); West Indies 159/5 (40.1/60 ov)

The second semifinal between New Zealand and West Indies was more or less one sided affair. Batting first Kiwis could not post a challenging score against strong bowling attack of West Indies. A score of 158 against strong West Indian batting was less than enough.Jullian,Roberts , Holder and Boyce combined well to choke the Kiwis .Jullian got 4/27 , Holder 3/30 and Roberts 2/28 . Of the Kiwis Howarth ( 51 ) and Turner (36) could provide some resistance . A 125 second wicket partnership between G Greenidge (55) and Alvin Kallicharan (72) saw West Indies through . Kiwis could make some inroads after the partnership was broken .But it was too little too less. West Indies won by 5 wickets with a little less than 20 overs left.

Final: Australia v West Indies at Lord’s – Jun 21, 1975
West Indies 291/8 (60/60 ov); Australia 274 (58.4/60 ov).

The final of the first Prudential World Cup between two of the well matched team produced a nail biting, hair raising fascinating contest. Winning the toss and putting West Indies to bat at iconic Lords Australia managed to reduce West Indies to 3/50 before legendary Rohan Kanhai and flamboyant Clive Llyod produced a very fluent 4th wicket partnership of 149. Kanhai scored 55 but Lloyd went on scoring 102 in 108 balls with 12 fours and two towering sixes . Lloyds sparking batting is rated one of the best ever in world cup cricket.Some useful contribution from Boyce (34) and Jullian (26) produced a challenging 291 for 8 wickets in allotted overs. A never say die Aussies went down fighting scoring 274 all out .Four run outs and three from direct throw of young Viv Richards did not help their cause. Turner (40) , Ian Chappell (62) and Greg Chappell (15 ) proved decisive . West Indies won by 17 runs and were acknowledged as worthy winners. A little bit of disciplined batting could win the first ever world event for the team of down under .But at the end West Indies win was possibly the poetic justice of an wonderfully athletic team. Clive Lloyd deservedly won the man of the match and lifted the trophy.
Winners of 1975 Cricket World Cup – West Indies Team :
1975 Cricket World Cup Winning Squad : Clive Lloyd (C), Keith Boyce, Roy Fredericks, Lance Gibbs, Gordon Greenidge, Vanburn Holder, Bernard Julien, Alvin Kallicharran, Rohan Kanhai, Deryck Murray (WK), Viv Richards, Andy Roberts