Captain Clive Lloyd brings unity to West Indian cricket with momentous 1975 World Cup victory
A series of columns on the changing face of cricket's persevering World Cup's, from 1975 to India, 2023
Before we dive into the main course, allow a quick detour connecting the cricketer who raised the inaugural World Cup, Sir Clive Hubert Lloyd, and your humble scribe.
The connection was a result of the ‘last man standing’ principle—a ‘Steve Bradbury’ to assimilate with the Australian speed skater, who won gold at the Winter Olympics after a multiple skater pile-up at the last corner.
For your scribe, it happened to be a first-class debut in the unfamiliar environs afforded by Sabina Park, Jamaica, an unlikely start, thanks to the ‘last man standing’ principle.
From memory, it was April 1986, and Lancashire CCC was on a pre-season tour. I was both delighted and terrified to be summoned from the back benches. My passport—still in its wrapper— it tried to part ways early in the peace; thankfully, we were reunited later at the Norman Manley airport! A shaky start.
Games were played across Jamaica, with the locals showing Lancastrians scant regard; beers were inexpensive, rum went down like water, and there was a variety of chicken named ‘jerk’—which was new to me; it was a wonder and still is. Every game was party time. There was another constant; Kenneth McLeod, who would later become a team mate and life-long friend, raced in delivering his left arm rockets as if his life depended on it. McLeod hails from St.Elizabeth, and everywhere else we played!
The marquee game was to be a three-day, first-class fixture against Jamaica at Kingston’s, Sabina Park.
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After playing in some of the parish games I found my contributions surprisingly encouraging. Then, when looking forward to three days of interested viewing, I was floored when it became apparent that injuries and a ‘hot sauce’ tummy virus might mean I would be named in the final XI against Jamaica. We knew, and I knew, that Michael Holding was expected to captain the Jamaican XI. Surely not!
We were soundly beaten after being bundled out for 97 in the first innings. It was spin, not pace, that did the damage, with Robert Haynes and Nehemiah Perry sharing seven wickets. Yes he was there again; left-arm pacer Kenneth McLeod took the other three, me being one, and I was fortunate to make just four. This was my first-class debut. Mr. Holding bowled just four sets; what did I have to fear?
The second innings saw me add a blob, palpably LBW, to Kerrick Dennis. Four runs total, no more than 15 minutes at the crease, on the losing side, and as inconsequential as you could imagine. Slouched looking at a box of red stripes, unsure whether I should partake, it was Sir Clive Lloyd's momentarily intervention that made the trip worthwhile.
In short, Mr. Lloyd assured me that there will be many other opportunities; he urged me not to dwell on what’s gone, and then, paraphrasing his words, that are still with me today, he was saying, “Son, you must always look, listen, and learn.”
I would say every young Lancashire cricketer benefited in some way from Clive Lloyd’s wisdom during that period. He is an amazing man who did incredible things for West Indies cricket and Lancashire.
With my indulgence over, let’s take a look at the inaugural World Cup of 1975.
A Brief World Cup History.
Many traditionalists argue the Cricket World Cup (CWC) has been the premier event on the cricket calendar since its inception in 1975.
Today, we are on the cusp of the 13th iteration, which will be hosted by cricket’s superpower, India.
While Test cricket is rightly considered the purest form of cricket and the pinnacle of the sport, there is nothing greater for a nation and player than winning the World Cup.
The ICC, having become the International Cricket Council overseeing a rapidly growing sport in 1964, initially introduced the idea of a World Cup for cricket in 1971, with the logistics and framework assembled to enable the hosting of the first tournament in 1975. England would be the host.
60 over games coupled with all-whites clothing and the red cricket ball seem a long way removed from the current-day format.
The passage of the tournament has been slow and deliberate—we are talking about cricket, change can be a gradual process!
England hosted in 1975, 1979, and 1983. India and Pakistan co-hosted in 1987 (Australia’s first win—the overs being reduced to 50). 1992 saw the tournament shape to what we see today, Australia and New Zealand hosted with white balls and coloured clothing introduced. From the tournament travelled to Sri Lanka, back to the UK, Southern Africa, the West Indies, India, Australia and New Zealand, England and Wales, and now to India in 2023.
The CWC has never been more diverse or competitive than it is today. India will start home-town favourites, however, challenges will come from multiple fronts. 2023 promises to be an enthralling watch.
Back to 1975.
The genesis of cricket's World Cup began in modest vain, with just eight teams participating. Hosted in the empirical cloisters of a stoical England, there was little fanfare to accompany the embryo that has hence flourished into a place of global entertainment.
In all, 15 matches were played in the claustrophobic two-week window. Little garnish was on offer at the opening, just England and India meandering quietly out at Lord's before a deferential crowd more English than otherwise. As noted, it was an all-white clothing experience, a now inconceivable 60-over allocation, and a shiny red cricket ball. It is best not to antagonise the MCC egg and bacon brigade too much!
Matches took place at traditional English cricket grounds where their quirkiness remained overtly evident, humans operated scoreboards, and the egg-and-bacon brigade continued to rule the roost.
Truth be told, the 1975 World Cup was little more than a laboratory experiment. There was no trophy as such, just a crystal ashtray made for the occasion. Matches were located at traditional English cricket grounds where their quirkiness remained overtly evident, humans operated scoreboards, and the egg-and-bacon brigade continued to rule the roost.. “Surely this hit-and-giggle wouldn’t catch on, heaven forbid.”
Unlike today. ticket sales were slow, pre-booking was something still in the ether, and many folk were ambivalent as to the meaning of this whole ‘World Cup idea'.
It should also be said, to maintain absolute confusion, that the 1975 World Cup was called ‘The Prudential Cup ‘75’.
At this time, there were just six Test-playing countries: Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and the West Indies. The two leading associate countries were Sri Lanka and East Africa—here we have the eight competing teams.
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The Early Rounds.
Two groups of four were formed, with each country playing each other in their group once; the top two from each group advanced to the semi-finals, with the respective winners meeting in the final. In all there were just 15 matches.
In Group A, England and New Zealand finished first and second, while the West Indies were atop Group B, with Australia rounding out the final four.
In the early matches of the 1975 Cricket World Cup, several significant events unfolded. England opened the tournament with an impressive display, setting a new ODI record by scoring 334 in a 60-over match. Dennis Amiss dominated for England, scoring 137, with Keith Fletcher and Chris Old lending sound support, with both reaching half-centuries. However, Sunil Gavaskar, who was the tournament's official brochure cover star, promptly wrote his name in World Cup history by batting through 60 overs for 36 not out. Fast forward to the present; to listen to Gavaskar’s commentary with this in mind leaves a rather wry smirk.
Australia began their campaign with a victory against Pakistan, largely thanks to Dennis Lillee's five-wicket haul. Pakistan's hopes dwindled as they collapsed from a strong position of 181 for four to a total of 205 all out. Australia's Ross Edwards also played a pivotal role with a well-compiled 80. New Zealand and the West Indies secured straightforward wins in their respective matches.
Despite missing key personnel, Pakistan made a competitive score of seven for 266 against the West Indies in the second round of games, with Majid Khan leading the way with 60. Despite falling to eight for 166, the West Indies prevailed in the final over. Australia dominated their second game, despite the off-field controversy surrounding Jeff Thomson's no-ball issues.
Group A featured dominant performances by England and India, with Keith Fletcher leading England to victory and India recording a resounding 10-wicket win over East Africa.
In a sold-out match, the West Indies emerged triumphant against Australia, securing the top spot in Group B. Pakistan ended their tournament on a high note, defeating Sri Lanka convincingly, while New Zealand secured a semi-final berth with a win over India. England also registered a comprehensive victory against East Africa, highlighted by a strong opening partnership and an outstanding bowling display led by pacer John Snow.
The early matches set the tone for an exciting and competitive 1975 Cricket World Cup, showcasing outstanding individual performances and moments that would be integral to the overall narrative of the tournament.
The Finals.
Both semi-finals were played on the same day, June 18. Headingley hosted England and Australia, with the West Indies was afforded ‘home ground’ advantage at the Oval against New Zealand.
Australia's left-field selection of swing bowler Gary Gilmour dominated the first semi-final between England and Australia. Australia elected to field first on a grassy pitch, with Gilmour delivering a'man of the match' performance with figures of six for 14 as England were bowled out for just 93. In response, Australia struggled early in their chase, slipping to six for 39 before Gilmour stepped up again with the bat in a crucial partnership with Doug Walters. The pair piloted Australia to victory and a place in the final.
New Zealand started brightly against the West Indies at the packed Kennington Oval. At lunch—yes, there were lunch breaks—they had progressed to one for 92. However, they faltered in the afternoon session as the Windies spinners exerted control. New Zealand were eventually dismissed for just 158, with Geoff Howarth top-scoring with 51.
Chasing the total, the West Indies openers of Alvin Kallicharran and Gordan Greenidge put on a vital 125-run stand to lay the winning platform—Richard Collinge was impressive with three for 28—and the Windies would reach the target with five wickets in hand, joining Australia in the final.
On to Lord’s
The final was sold out early, with the unbeaten West Indies favoured to lift the Prudential Cup. Records say the crowd was 26,000; to the naked eye, it looked many more than that with every vantage point taken.
How refreshingly different the cricket was! As we’ve said before, there were no pyjamas or numbers to identify players; the ball was red and was entrusted to an Aussie duo that would strike the fear of god into any batter. But then those same batters didn’t have the certainty of helmets. One batter, the match-winning centurion, batted in glasses.
Australian captain Ian Chappell took a punt on asking the free-scoring West Indies to bat first; they obliged the offer, amassing an imposing eight for 291. After being dropped at mid-wicket, the West Indies captain, Clive Lloyd—the same Clive Lloyd—was in murderous form. Lloyd cut and pulled like a threshing machine and pounced on anything to drive in the same vein.
Watching the film back, you might notice a back-foot shuffle that Lloyd employed—now referred to as a ‘batting trigger’. His left foot takes a brief detour to the leg side before returning to a neutral position, almost like a tap-dance move. After that, it was all galloping footwork and flailing arms; Lloyd’s blade was an extension of his extraordinary reach, zipping through the hitting area with frightening speed. It was a joy to watch.
Gary Gilmour again bowled proficiently, finishing with five for 48. In reply, Ian Chappell’s half-century laid a solid foundation for Australia before three run-outs scuppered their chances—eventually, three of the five run-outs would be attributed to one, Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards. Later, The Wisden Almanack, unused to all this newfangled excitement, attributed them to Alvin Kallicharran.
A final-wicket partnership of 41 from Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson dragged Australia within 18 runs of victory. Alas, a fifth run-out of the innings saw Australia bowled out for 274, giving the deserving West Indies victory by 17 runs and claiming the first men's World Cup—Prudential Cup.
And it was that man, Sir Clive Lloyd, who first hoisted the trophy, paving the way for an era of West Indian dominance. The calypso kings had arrived.
What’s next
Cricket had a new flagship event and format, a shift as momentous as rugby league becoming rugby union, or Test cricket eventually shrinking to five days. Next time around, in 1979, there would be more cricket-playing nations wanting a piece of the action.
And the West Indies would be the team to beat.
I hope you enjoyed this first chapter of a look back at the evolution of cricket’s only true and authentic World Cup.
As always, thank you for being here.
Always a pleasure reading your cricket stories Nick keep at it and hope you are fit and well
PS Are you still in US and living there ---- for how long and how is your boy going ???
Regards and Best Wishes
Edwards