Background
It was the era of great West Indian teams, tearaway pace bowling of Lillee and Thomson, but more importantly it was an era of change in cricket. The new format of one day cricket was yet to become popular. There had been only 18 one day internationals before. It was a time to explore new exciting possibilities.
8 teams from West Indies, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and East Africa had joined the hosts England in June 1975 in what would be the first cricket world cup.
It was a tournament of a mere 15 matches where the format was so simple: Eight teams divided into two groups of four each with the top two teams of each group progressing to semi-finals. The star studded West Indies boosting big names of the likes of: Lloyd, Fredericks, Gibbs, Kallicharran, Kanhai, Richards, and Roberts were the firm favorites. Only Australia, England, and New Zealand were expected to provide any challenge to the Windies.
The Cricket World Cup gets underway
It was the very first match of cricket world cup history. However, it became well know not for that fact but for something else. England batted first and scored 334 for 4 in 60 overs with Dennis Ammis scoring 137. What happened afterwards, is history. India simply gave up without an attempt to go after the target and just used the overs for batting practice with Gavaskar batting through the 60 overs for 36 not out. India ended with 132 for 3 in 60 overs. Gavaskar later admitted that this was his "worst innings ever".
Favorites Through to the Semis
Although the world cup had its infamous start, the rest of the matches produced some exciting cricket. The top teams progressed as expected but West Indies received a real scare in their match against Pakistan at Edgebaston.
West Indies vs. Pakistan
Pakistan playing without their captain Asif Iqbal was led by Majid Khan. Batting first, Pakistan put an impressive score of 266/7 in 60 overs. West Indies got on to a disastrous start losing Grinidge for 4 with the score at 6. Fredericks, Kallicharan, Kanhai, and Richards did not last long against Pakistan bowling led by Safraz Nawaz and the score read 99/5. A half century by their captain Clive Lloyd took West Indies closer to the score but at 203 for 9, the writing was on the wall for West Indies. Then came a spirited fight back by the last pair, Deryck Murray and Andy Roberts which took West Indies closer to the target and gave them a glimpse of an unlikely victory. The pair hung on and brought the West Indies to the brink of victory. Needing 5 runs to win in the last over, Andy Roberts was facing Wasim Raja. Roberts attempted a pull off the first ball and missed. Second ball, with the help of a missed runout attempt brought 2 runs. A flick to the leg brought 2 more runs to Roberts and West Indies and tied the scores. Roberts took a single off the fourth ball to seal one of the most unlikely victories in World Cup history. This match may have given a little hope to other teams by showing that West Indies are after all human and can be defeated.
Watch Video - West Indian Innings
Watch Video - The Finish
West Indies vs. Australia
Having had a narrow escape against Pakistan, the West Indies then hammered Australia by seven wickets at the Oval to make a statement that the previous match was just a small hiccup in their march towards the world cup. Alvin Kallicharan led the way with 78 which included brutal attack on Dennis Lillee.
Watch Video - Kallicharan destroys Lillee
Next - First Semi Final
No comments:
Post a Comment