The 1975 Cricket World Cup, officially known as the Prudential Cup, was the first-ever One Day International (ODI) cricket tournament and marked a revolutionary moment in the sport’s history. Held in England between June 7 and June 21, 1975, the tournament brought together 8 teams in a 60-over per side format—a much longer version of today’s 50-over matches—and introduced the world to the spectacle of limited-overs cricket on the grandest stage.
Participating Teams and Format
Eight teams participated, split into two groups of four:
| Group A | Group B |
|---|---|
| England | West Indies |
| India | Australia |
| East Africa* | Pakistan |
| New Zealand | Sri Lanka |
*East Africa was a combined team from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia.
Each team played the others in its group once. The top two teams from each group progressed to the semi-finals, leading up to the final at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.
Group Stage: Intense Battles and Surprising Results
Group A Standings
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| New Zealand | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| India | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| East Africa | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
England was the dominant force in Group A, winning all their matches with their solid batting lineup and disciplined bowling attack. New Zealand’s strong showing, including a stunning win over India, ensured their progression.
India, however, disappointed many fans with inconsistent performances, famously struggling in the match against England where they scored just 132 runs in their full 60 overs—a painfully slow innings by modern standards.
Group B Standings
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Indies | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| Australia | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Pakistan | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Sri Lanka | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
West Indies topped the group unbeaten, showcasing their powerful batting and pace bowling. Australia secured their semi-final spot comfortably, while Pakistan and Sri Lanka struggled to find form.
Semi-Finals: High Drama and Star Performances
Semi-final 1: Australia vs England (June 18, 1975)
- England innings: 229 all out (55.5 overs)
- Top scorer: Dennis Amiss 56 runs
- Australia innings: 230/6 (55 overs)
- Result: Australia won by 4 wickets
The first semi-final was a tense encounter. England set a competitive total, led by Dennis Amiss. Australia’s chase was paced expertly, with Ian Chappell anchoring the innings. The highlight was Gary Gilmour’s phenomenal bowling spell (6 wickets for 14 runs), which nearly bowled England out cheaply. Australia’s successful chase set up a final clash with the West Indies.
Semi-final 2: West Indies vs New Zealand (June 19, 1975)
- New Zealand innings: 158 all out (55.3 overs)
- West Indies innings: 161/5 (39.2 overs)
- Result: West Indies won by 5 wickets
The West Indies bowled New Zealand out cheaply, thanks to their lethal pace attack. The chase was comfortable, with openers Gordon Greenidge and Roy Fredericks setting the tone.
The Historic Final: West Indies vs Australia at Lord’s
On June 21, 1975, a packed Lord’s witnessed cricket history as the first ODI World Cup final unfolded between two cricketing giants.
West Indies Innings
- Total: 291/8 in 60 overs
- Top scorer: Clive Lloyd 102 runs off 85 balls
- Notable performances: Rohan Kanhai (55 runs)
Clive Lloyd’s innings was the defining moment of the tournament. His explosive century was a perfect blend of timing, power, and control, smashing boundaries at crucial moments to lift his team to a formidable total. Lloyd’s leadership was equally impressive, inspiring the Caribbean side to maintain their aggressive approach.
Australia Innings
- Total: 274 all out in 58.4 overs
- Top scorer: Ian Chappell 62 runs
- Bowling hero: Gary Gilmour (5 wickets for 48 runs)
Australia fought hard in their chase, with Ian Chappell anchoring the innings. However, consistent wickets and the pressure of the occasion eventually led to their downfall. Gary Gilmour, who had already made waves in the semi-final, bowled a superb spell, claiming five wickets to restrict Australia.
Result
West Indies won by 17 runs and became the first-ever Cricket World Cup champions. Clive Lloyd was deservedly named Man of the Match for his match-winning century.
Key Players and Their Impact
Top Run-Scorer of the Tournament
| Player | Team | Runs | Matches | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenn Turner | New Zealand | 333 | 4 | 166.5 |
Turner’s elegant batting was the highlight for New Zealand. Despite their semi-final loss, he stood out as the highest run-getter in the tournament.
Top Wicket-Taker of the Tournament
| Player | Team | Wickets | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gary Gilmour | Australia | 11 | 2 |
Gilmour’s remarkable 11 wickets came in just two matches (semi-final and final), including a stunning 6/14 against England, one of the finest bowling performances in World Cup history.
Most Famous Player
Clive Lloyd (West Indies)
- The charismatic captain and power hitter was the face of the tournament. His leadership and that explosive final innings earned him legendary status. Lloyd’s century in the final remains one of the greatest ODI innings ever played.
Fun & Historical Facts
- Matches were played during the day using traditional white clothing and red balls.
- The 60-over format with 8-ball overs (different from today’s 50-over matches) made the games longer and more strategic.
- India’s slow scoring against England (36 not out off 174 balls by Sunil Gavaskar) is still cited as an example of defensive ODI batting.
- East Africa’s team was a unique combined team representing several African nations.
- The tournament set the foundation for future World Cups and popularized ODI cricket globally.
Sample Scorecard: The 1975 Final
| West Indies Batting | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clive Lloyd (c) | 102 | 85 | 7 | 2 |
| Rohan Kanhai | 55 | 70 | 4 | 0 |
| Alvin Kallicharran | 40 | 50 | 3 | 1 |
| Viv Richards | 33 | 36 | 5 | 1 |
| Others (combined) | 61 | – | – | – |
| Total (60 overs) | 291/8 |
| Australia Bowling | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis Lillee | 12 | 2 | 40 | 2 |
| Gary Gilmour | 12 | 3 | 48 | 5 |
| Max Walker | 12 | 1 | 53 | 1 |
| Others (combined) | – | – | – | – |
| Australia Batting | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Chappell (c) | 62 | 92 | 5 | 0 |
| Ian Redpath | 52 | 95 | 4 | 0 |
| Ross Edwards | 50 | 70 | 6 | 1 |
| Others (combined) | 110 | – | – | – |
| Total (58.4 overs) | 274 all out |
| West Indies Bowling | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andy Roberts | 12 | 3 | 38 | 2 |
| Michael Holding | 12 | 2 | 50 | 2 |
| Lance Gibbs | 12 | 1 | 52 | 2 |
| Others (combined) | – | – | – | – |
Conclusion
The 1975 Cricket World Cup was much more than just a tournament; it was a cultural milestone that changed cricket forever. The West Indies’ dominance, Gary Gilmour’s magical bowling spells, and the advent of limited-overs international cricket combined to create an unforgettable sporting spectacle. It laid the groundwork for what would become the most popular and eagerly awaited cricket event worldwide.