ICC Cricket World Cup 1975
1975 · 8 teams · ODI cricket
Tournament Overview
Series Overview
The 1975 ICC Cricket World Cup was the first-ever One Day International World Cup — a bold experiment that would become cricket's greatest tournament. Eight teams descended on England in June 1975 for a competition played in 60-over format that nobody quite knew how to approach. West Indies, led by the imperious Clive Lloyd, had the most complete team in the world: devastating fast bowlers — Andy Roberts and Bernard Julien among them — and explosive batters who could demolish any total. The final at Lord's on 21 June 1975 became one of cricket's defining days. West Indies slipped to 50/3 against a strong Australian attack, and the match balanced on a knife-edge. Then Clive Lloyd walked to the crease. His 102 off 85 balls — an innings of blistering power and timing — transformed the game. Rohan Kanhai's 55 in partnership with Lloyd gave West Indies the platform to post 291/8. Australia's chase was well-constructed until a crucial moment: the young Viv Richards, buzzing around the outfield with electric intent, executed three run-outs in swift succession, each one stopping Australia's momentum dead. Despite Jeff Thomson and Alan Turner fighting hard, Australia could only reach 274, losing by 17 runs. The inaugural World Cup had been won by cricket's most exciting team, in cricket's most iconic ground, in front of a capacity Lord's crowd. The World Cup era had begun.
Key Highlights
- 1Clive Lloyd's magnificent 102 off 85 balls — batting at number 4 — was the innings that won West Indies the inaugural World Cup
- 2Rohan Kanhai (55) supported Lloyd in a partnership that took the match away from Australia after early West Indies wickets fell
- 3Three dramatic Viv Richards run-outs in Australia's chase — the young star's electric fielding at a critical moment swung the match
- 4West Indies won by 17 runs — Australia falling for 274 in a match that went to the final over under the Lord's floodlights
- 5The inaugural Cricket World Cup was played across two weeks in June 1975 in England — 8 teams in 60-over format per side