World Cup History

Cricket World Cup is an international One Day International (ODI) competition in cricket of men’s. Organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC), the first World Cup was took place in England in 1975 and since then it has been taking place every four years. Certain kind of changes has been taken place in the format since the first ever Cricket World Cup.

The first cricket World Cup was played from June 7 to June 21 in England in 1975 and was called as Prudential Cup. There were eight countries Pakistan, Australia, England New Zealand,West Indies, India, Sri Lanka and East Africa participated in the event. South African team was on boycott from international sports. The matches were played in 2 groups of 4 teams. The top two teams from each group played the semifinals, and the winners of these played the final. The final was played between West Indies and Australia and West Indies won by 17 runs. The West Indies scored 291 runs in 60 overs at a loss of 8 wickets. In reply Australia made 274 runs in 58.4 overs all out.

The second cricket World Cup was again held in England from June 9 to June 23 in 1979. The format of the game was same as it was in 1975. West Indies once again won by 92 runs. In the final they batted first and made 286 runs in 60 overs at a loss of 9 wickets. In reply, England made 194 runs before being all out after 51 overs.

In 1983, the Third Cricket World cup took place for consecutively third time in the England between 9 and 25 June. The game format was same as in 1975 and the final was won by India by 43 runs against West Indies.

The Fourth Cricket World Cup was named as the Reliance Cup. It was the first World Cup held outside the England in Pakistan and India jointly. In the final Australia made 253 in their 50 overs with a loss of 5 wickets and won by only 7 runs. In reply, England came up just short,making 246 in their 50 overs for a loss of 8 wickets.

Fifth event was held in the Southern hemisphere. The game format was changed. Wasim Akram of Pakistan and Martin Crowe of New Zealand were the leading wicket taker and leading run scorer respectively. Pakistan made 249 runs in 50 overs for 6 Wickets, compared to England's total of 227 runs in 49.2 all out. Pakistan won by 22 Runs under the captaincy of Imran Khan.

The final of the sixth four year event was held in Lahore, Pakistan between Sri Lanka and Australia. Australia made 241 runs in 50 overs for a loss of 7 wickets. In reply, Sri Lanka made 245 runs in 46.2 overs losing only 3 wickets and finally won the event.

The semi-final match of seventh World Cup between Australia and South Africa which was a tie made history. The final was played between Pakistan and Australia at London. Australia made 133 runs in 20.1 overs for 2 wickets in reply Pakistan made 132 All out in 39 overs. Australia won by 8 Wickets.

In 2003’s World Cup final Australia batted first and made 359 runs in 50 overs losing only 2 wickets. In reply India made 234 after being all out in 39.2 overs. Australia was crowned champions after beating India by 125 runs.

In 2007 Australia won the World Cup with Sri Lanka as runner up. India was the next winning team in 2011 Cricket World Cup.