On This Day: The 1975 World Cup gets underway
Today marks 43 years since the first-ever Men’s Cricket World Cup got underway.
The inaugural tournament kicked off in England on 7 June, 1975, with four games across four venues.
The tournament consisted of eight teams: Australia, East Africa, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the West Indies, and was played across five venues in England.
To celebrate the anniversary, we look back at the greatest moments from the competition, and the original stars of international cricket’s most famous tournament.
Winners: West Indies
ICC CWC 1975; West Indies (291-8) v Australia (274). West Indies won by 17 runs
With a perfect record of five wins from five games, the West Indies – led by Clive Lloyd – were the first men’s side to be crowned champions of the Cricket World Cup.
They lit up grounds across England with their style of cricket, topping Group B thanks to wins over Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Australia.
A semi-final win over New Zealand at The Oval followed, before the landmark final at Lord’s, where they again saw off Australia to be crowned champions of the world.
Their squad was littered with world-class stars, including Sir Vivian Richards, Lance Gibbs and Gordon Greenidge; as well as captain Lloyd.
Most runs: Glenn Turner (333)
New Zealand’s Glenn Turner was the only man to hit two centuries at the 1975 World Cup and comfortably finished top of the run-scoring charts.
Almost 50% of his runs at the tournament were scored in a sensational knock of 171* vs East Africa on the opening day, which remained the highest score of the edition.
His second ton came against India in Manchester, where he finished on 114*.
His 36 in the semi-final against West Indies helped him finish 90 runs clear of his nearest rival Dennis Amiss.
Most wickets: Gary Gilmour (11)
Gary Gilmour's classic World Cup 6 for 14
He may have only played two games at the 1975 World Cup, but the late Gary Gilmour managed to finish as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker.
The left-arm swing bowler came into the side for Australia’s semi-final against England in Leeds, and finished with remarkable figures of 6/14 from 12 overs to lead his side to the final.
His form carried through to the showpiece event against West Indies at Lord’s, as he took 5/48, but was unable to stop the Windies reigning supreme.
It’s no surprise that Gilmour’s figures against England were the best in the whole tournament.
Highest total: England (334/4)
Not only was England’s opening day total of 334/4 against India a record high for the 1975 edition, it also remained a record World Cup score for eight years.
England opener Dennis Amiss was the star of the show at Lord’s, as he scored 137 from 147 balls.
He was ably supported by Keith Fletcher (68), captain Mike Denness (37) and Chris Old (51*).