History of the ICC Cricket World Cup: West Indies’ performance (Part 1)
The standard of West Indies cricket has been falling at a rapid pace. Issues of players with the West Indies Cricket Board and politics within the Board have greatly hampered performances on the field. Hence, it is no surprise
that in recent years the team has failed to have any major impact in the greatest stage of the game, the World Cup. However, this has not always been the case: the two-time World Champions were once feared by every cricket-playing nation. Even now, many believe
that the West Indies side of the 70s and 80s was the best team to have ever played the game.
The West Indies team reached the final in 3 World Cup events staged from 1975 to 1983. However, they have failed to repeat that performance in the subsequent 6 World Cup events. Here is a look at the team’s performance in all the
9 World Cup competitions.
1975: West Indies came into the inaugural World Cup tournament, in 1975, as the outright favourites to win the trophy. Captained by the charismatic Clive Lloyd, West Indies stormed past the group stages, winning
all three matches.
In the semi-finals they faced a determined New Zealand side. The Kiwis, however, were no match for the fierce West Indies bowling attack and were bundled out for a low total of 158. At one stage the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 team was well on
course to post a challenging total with the score at 98/1. After the second wicket fell, the batting line up completely collapsed. In reply, West Indies achieved the target with five wickets in hand to book a place in the final.
West Indies were to contest with Australia, who destroyed home side England in the semi-final, for the World Cup trophy. Batting first, West Indies posted a hefty score of 291/8 with skipper Lloyd scoring 102 off 85 balls. Australia’s
reply with the bat started well and it seemed that a nail-biting encounter was unfolding. However, drastic running between the wickets by Australian players proved to be fatal. Five of the 10 Australian batsmen lost their wicket through run-outs. In the end,
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 by 17 runs to win the inaugural World Cup trophy.
1979: The 1979 tournament was once again staged in England. It was predicted that the reigning champions would have no difficulties in retaining their title. West Indies once again swiftly went through the group
stages unbeaten and qualified for the semi-finals, where they played against Pakistan.
West Indies batted first in the match between the two sides for a place in the final. The star-studded batting line-up delivered once again and the team was able to pile up a score of 293/6 in the allotted 60 overs. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 initially
batted well but eventually collapsed after the required run-rate started to creep up. They were sent packing at a score of 250 ensuring West Indies a berth in the final.
West Indies had to defend their title against the home team, England, in the final. The reigning champions batted first and posted a mammoth total of 286/9 after a faulty start. Vivian Richards scored 138 from 157 balls to steady
the innings. England’s approach to chase the total was highly questionable with openers Mike Brearley and Geoff Boycott sharing a partnership of 129 in little under 40 overs. Following their dismissal, the English team collapsed and was bundled out for 194
runs with the last 8 wickets going down for just 11 runs. Hence, West Indies successfully defended their title to win their second consecutive World Cup.
To be continued.
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