The 1975 World Cup was special in more ways than one. This was the first ever World Cup the game would ever see and the first time, ODI cricket would take shape with players taking the field for a maximum of 60 overs.
The excitement was palpable. Fans, mostly English people, were excited to see this abridged version, and since it was being held in England, it carried the novelty factor too. Eight teams — Australia, England, West Indies, India, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and a composite team from East Africa — participated in the inaugural competition for the Prudential Trophy.
England and the West Indies were the favourites going into the competition. This assessment was largely down to their form in the longer format of the game. But, barely did anyone get this one wrong as the two made it to the semifinals without much fuss. However, it was at this stage that one saw some real excitement.
The first semifinal pitted the Windies against Pakistan. A nation barely into its third decade of existence, not many knew what to expect from the Pakistanis, and surprisingly enough, this lot included the team from the Caribbean as well. Chasing a total of 267, the West Indies team was reduced to 209 for nine and all hope seemed lost then. But in stepped Andy Roberts and Deryck Murray. The two dug deep to hold the fort and build a match-saving 10th-wicket partnership that saw the Windies through to the final. England, however, had no luck as they bowed out to a resolute Australian side in their final four tie.
Pumped by the unexpected result in the semifinals, the Australians tried to force the issue in the final, but it was not meant to be. Rohan Kanhai (55) and skipper Clive Lloyd (102) were the performers with the bat for the Windies, while Gary Gilmour, Australia’s stand-out player in the semis, once again showed his magic to end with the figures of five for 48. But that, however, wasn’t enough to deny the Windies as Keith Boyce and Lloyd both took four wickets each to skittle the Australians out, 17 runs short of the target and become the first-ever World Champions of cricket.
Feature image courtesy: Cricket World Cup/Twitter
