WC Flashback - 1975 Cricket World Cup (Overview & Records)

Apr.22 (CRICKETNMORE) - The first men's World Cup, officially called The Prudential Cup was held in England from 7 to 21 June 1975. West Indies beat Australia in the final at Lords to become the first World Cup winners.

In Cricket World Cup Flashback, Cricketnmore presents an overview of the first ever world cup:

First Cricket World Cup 1975

Teams: Eight teams participated in the first World Cup. They are categorized into two groups of 4 teams each:

• Group A - England, New Zealand, India, East Africa
• Group B - West Indies, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia

Format

• Each team played the other teams in their group once
• The top two from each group qualified for the semi-finals
• The winners of semi-finals played in the final.
• Each match consisted of 60 overs per team
• All Matches were played in traditional white clothing and with red balls

Semi-Finalists

England, New Zealand, West Indies, and Australia qualified for the semi-finals.

1st Semi-Final, Australia vs England

Australia (94/6) defeated England (93/10) by 4 wickets

Australian fast bowler Gary Gilmour took 6/14, as England were bowled out for 93 (36.2 overs). Australia initially suffered a collapse with 39/6, but Gilmour (28 from 28 balls, 5 fours) brought them home in a fantastic all-round performance.

2nd Semi-Final - West Indies vs New Zealand

West Indies (159/5) beat New Zealand (158) by wickets

West Indies won the toss and opted to field. New Zealand were bowled out for 158 (all out, 52.2 overs). Alvin Kallicharan (72 from 92 balls, 7 fours, 1 six) and Gordon Greenidge (55 from 95 balls, 9 fours, 1 six) shared a second-wicket partnership of 125 runs and helped West Indies reach to their target.

1975 World Cup Final - Australia vs West Indies at Lords

West Indies beat Australia by 17 runs.

The final was played between Australia and West Indies at Lords on 21st June 1975. Australia won the toss and opted to field. After few early blows, captain Clive Lloyd (102 from 85 balls, 12 fours, 2 sixes) and Rohan Kanhai helped West Indies post 291/8 in 60 overs.

In reply, Australia were bowled out for 274 in 58.4 overs. A total of five of Australian players were run out, three of them was by Vivian Richards. There was no 'Man of the Series' award in 1975. Clive Llyod won the Man of the Match Award.

Statistics

• Top 3 Run Scorers - Glenn Turner from New Zealand (333 runs in 4 matches), Dennis Amiss from England (243 runs in 4 matches), and Majid Khan from Pakistan (209 runs in 3 matches)
• Top 3 Wicket-Takers - Gary Gilmour from Australia (11 wickets in 2 matches), Bernard Julien from West Indies (10 wickets in 5 matches), and Keith Boyce from West Indies (10 wickets in 5 matches).
• Highest Individual Score - 171* by Glenn Turner (NZ) vs East Africa
• best bowling Figures - 6/14 by Gary Gilmour (Aus) vs England
• Most Dismissals as a wicket-keeper - 10 by Rod Marsh (Aus)

Sahir