The ODI World Cup is the biggest event in the cricket world, the event comes every four years. Everyone in the cricket fraternity is waiting for the competition whether it’s a player or a spectator. The 2023 edition is just 16 days away and ready to spread the cricketing fever to the globe from the streets of India. The event is organised by the sport’s governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), every four years, with preliminary rounds leading to the finals. The tournament is one of the most-watched sporting events in the world and is considered by the ICC as the “flagship of the international cricket calendar.” The first edition was played in 1975 in England.

The 1975 Cricket World Cup (officially known as the Prudent Cup ’75) was the first men’s cricket world cup and the first major tournament in the history of One Day International (ODI) cricket. The event was conducted by the International Cricket Conference (ICC) held in England from 7 to 21 June 1975. The tournament was sponsored by the Prudential Assurance Company and had eight nations: the six Test teams of the time – Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, West Indies – and the two leading federations of the time – Sri. Lanka and East Africa. 

Format

The teams were divided into two groups of four, and each team played each other once in their subgroup; the top two in each group advanced to the semi-finals, and the winners of those matches would meet in the final. Each match consisted of 60 overs per team and was played in traditional white clothing and red balls; it was all played out and over in daylight. 

England and New Zealand finished as the top two teams in Group A, while the West Indies topped Group B ahead of Australia as four teams advanced to the semi-finals. 

Semi-finals

England and Australia played the first semi-final at Headingley. For Australia, one change, bringing Gary Gilmour in place of Ashley Mallett, proved critical in reserving Australia’s place in the final. This was due to the grass pitch, which was criticised by both captains after the match. After Australia elected to field first, Gilmour took six wickets for 14 runs as they bowled out England for 37 in 12 overs. Mike Denness tried to bring England back but lost a wicket as England fell to 93. In the run chase, Australia were reduced to 39 for six before Gilmour partnered Doug Walters as they chased down the remaining runs to earn Australia a place in the final. 

The other semi-final was between the favourites West Indies and New Zealand at The Oval. After batting first, New Zealand reached 92 at the lunch break. After lunch, they declined to 158, with Geoff Howarth top-scoring for New Zealand with 51 and Bernard Julien with four wickets. In the run chase, a 125-run second-wicket partnership between Alvin Kallicharran (72) and Gordon Greenidge (55) set the stage for a five-wicket win, with Richard Collinge the only bowler to trouble the Westerners, he took three wickets in 12 overs by only conceding 12 runs. 

Finals 

The final was played on 21 June and was sold out three days before. With the West Indies favourites for the match, Ian Chappell asked them to bat first and they made 291 for eight in 60 overs. After getting a second chance from Ross Edwards at midwicket, Clive Lloyd continued to top the West Indies with 102. Gary Gilmour was the best of the Australian bowlers with five wickets for 48 runs.

Ian Chappell hit a half-century in reply to set the stage for Australia before Viv Richards’ three dismissals put the pressure back on Australia as they slumped to 233 for nine. The 41-wicket partnership of Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson took Australia within 18 runs of victory. But in the fifth innings, Australia were bowled out for 274 and the West Indies won by 17 runs to win their first men’s World Cup.

Statistics

Top run scorer 

Highest wicket taker