1979 Cricket World Cup: West Indies Dynasty and the Viv Richards Final

The 1979 Prudential World Cup

The 1979 ICC Cricket World Cup — officially the Prudential World Cup for sponsorship reasons — was the second edition of the tournament and was held in England in June 1979. Like the inaugural 1975 edition, it featured eight teams competing over 60-over matches. The tournament was played on a round-robin group stage followed by semi-finals and a final at Lord's.

West Indies: Dominant Champions

The West Indies entered the 1979 World Cup as defending champions and the most powerful team in world cricket. They were undefeated throughout the tournament. Led by Clive Lloyd, they boasted the most feared fast bowling attack in cricket — Andy Roberts, Joel Garner, and Colin Croft — alongside the greatest batsman of the era, Viv Richards.

The Final: Richards' 138* Against England

The 1979 World Cup final at Lord's between West Indies and England is remembered for one of the great one-day innings in history. Viv Richards — batting with supreme authority — scored 138* off 157 balls, including 11 fours and 3 sixes. His partnership of 139 for the third wicket with Collis King (86 off 66 balls) took the match away from England. West Indies posted 286/9, which England never came close to chasing, eventually bowled out for 194.

Viv Richards scored 138* off 157 balls in the 1979 final. At a time when 60-over totals of 250 were considered exceptional, 138* in a final against England's attack was a performance of extraordinary class and power.

Other Teams at the 1979 World Cup

The eight teams were England, West Indies, Australia, Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Canada. Pakistan reached the semi-finals and were defeated by West Indies. England defeated New Zealand in the other semi-final. Canada made their only World Cup appearance in 1979.