The 1975 Cricket World Cup: The First Ever Prudential World Cup
The 1975 Cricket World Cup was the first ever 50-over international tournament, held in England and won by the West Indies. This guide covers the inaugural World Cup and its legacy.
The first Cricket World Cup was held in England in June 1975, sponsored by the Prudential insurance company and known formally as the Prudential World Cup. Eight teams participated: England, Australia, India, Pakistan, New Zealand, the West Indies, Sri Lanka and East Africa (a composite team representing the cricket-playing nations of East Africa). Matches were played over 60 overs per side — not the current 50-over format — across nine grounds in England. The West Indies, captained by Clive Lloyd, won the inaugural final at Lord's, defeating Australia by 17 runs in a match played entirely on the longest day of the English summer.
The Historic Final at Lord's
The 1975 World Cup final on 21 June 1975 at Lord's is among cricket's most celebrated matches. The West Indies scored 291/8 from 60 overs, built around Clive Lloyd's extraordinary 102 from 85 balls — a dominant, powerful innings that silenced the predominantly English and Australian crowd. Australia, chasing 292, were in a strong position at 233/9 when last wicket pair Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson mounted a dramatic stand. They added 41 for the last wicket before three Australian batters were run out in the final overs — including Vivian Richards running out three batsmen from the outfield with a display of fielding brilliance that became the match's defining image alongside Lloyd's century.
Legacy of the 1975 World Cup
The 1975 World Cup established the template for all subsequent cricket World Cups. It demonstrated that international limited-overs cricket could be commercially successful, attract large crowds and produce compelling competition — at a time when Test cricket was the only established international format. The success of the 1975 tournament directly influenced the decision to hold further World Cups in 1979 and 1983, and ultimately the permanent four-year cycle. The West Indies' dominance in the first two World Cups (1975 and 1979) cemented their status as the world's greatest cricket team in that era.
Frequently asked questions
When was the first Cricket World Cup held?
The first Cricket World Cup was held in England in June 1975. Known as the Prudential World Cup after its sponsor, it featured eight teams playing 60-over matches. The West Indies beat Australia in the final at Lord's.
Who won the 1975 Cricket World Cup?
The West Indies won the 1975 Cricket World Cup, beating Australia by 17 runs in the final at Lord's on 21 June 1975. Clive Lloyd scored 102 from 85 balls and Vivian Richards took three crucial run-outs in the final.
How many overs were in the 1975 World Cup?
The 1975 Cricket World Cup used 60-over matches — not the 50-over format used in all subsequent World Cups. The 60-over format was the standard for the first three World Cups (1975, 1979 and 1983) before the 50-over format was adopted from 1987 onwards.