{ "id": "48219", "author": "1", "cnmid": "0", "title": "Birth of the Cricket World Cup", "lang": "en", "series": "308", "cup_year": "2019", "article_type": "Featured Story", "excerpt": "May 23 (CRICKETNMORE) - There have been 422 Tests played in Australia over the last 142 years \u2013 only one of them was abandoned without a ball being bowled. Had it not been for that rainfall in Melbo", "subtype": "", "editor1": "

May 23 (CRICKETNMORE) - There have been 422 Tests played in Australia over the last 142 years – only one of them was abandoned without a ball being bowled. Had it not been for that rainfall in Melbourne back in 1971, the Cricket World Cup as we know it might never have come to pass.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

It was after three days of constant rain that the match at the MCG was called off, and instead England and Australia played a 40-over (eight balls per over) one-day match. That is now recognised as the first-ever One-Day International, and four years later eight teams headed to England for the first Cricket World Cup.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

International cricket competitions had been attempted previously, to limited success, but in the English county game, one-day matches started to come into fashion in the early 1960s.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

At international level, even after that first match in Melbourne the concept had not really taken off, but domestically it had already become popular.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Just 18 One-Day Internationals were played in the four years following the Melbourne game, with teams still playing in whites and with a red ball.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

In 1975, England was the only country in a position to host the competition, and a 60-over competition was agreed with eight teams competing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The six Test nations at the time – England, India, New Zealand, Australia, West Indies and Pakistan, along with Sri Lanka and an East Africa composite side made up the competition.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Split into two pools, the tournament started with one of the more bizarre matches in its history as England thrashed India by 202 runs in the opener.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

After making 334 for four, England restricted India to just 132 for three as Sunil Gavaskar batted the full 60 overs for just 36 not out.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Thankfully, the competition picked up from there and by the time the final rolled around West Indies and Australia played out a classic.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\"1975<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Chasing 291 for eight, the Australians started their chase well, only for Viv Richards to turn the game on its head with a trio of run-outs as the West Indies ran out winners by 17 runs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Over the years, the competition has undergone many changes, with the 1987 edition proving a watershed for the World Cup as a concept.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Venturing outside England for the very first time, the World Cup was held in India and Pakistan and the innings were reduced to 50 overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

It was in that competition that the closest final of all was played, as Australia claimed a first title with a seven-run success at the expense of England.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

 <\/span><\/div>\r\n\r\n

Five years later in Australia and New Zealand the competition developed further and closely resembled what we see today.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

That was when the white ball was used for the first time, while day\/night matches, new fielding restrictions and coloured kits were also introduced.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

If the 1987 World Cup was a watershed moment, then 1992 was arguably even more revolutionary and a true precursor for today’s game.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

More changes have followed, with a variety of formats and teams competing while editions were played in five different continents between 1992 and 2007.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\"2015<\/p>\r\n\r\n

By 2011 the competition returned to Asia as India became the first host to lift the trophy, a feat that was repeated by Australia four years later.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

England will be looking to match that this year, as one of just two teams, alongside New Zealand, to have featured in every World Cup without lifting the trophy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

As the World Cup returns to England for the fifth time, it will be a far cry from the tournament held in 1975, and even further from the advent of One-Day Internationals in Melbourne.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Supporters at the time might not have been grateful for that rain in Victoria, but 48 years on it has made an incredible impact.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\r\n

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