Of Caribbean Calypso,
Gavaskar's bizarre batting
(World Cup Special)
Three months after the death of legendary cricket wordsmith Neville Cardus, who vividly portrayed the romance of the traditional game, the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1975 held the first World Cup -- an event that in subsequent years catalysed mind-boggling changes in the 22- yard game, multiplying the thrill, money and appeal.
But 40 years back, it was virtually an experimental tournament, with most cricket lovers, including majority of the eight participating teams -- all babes in the new format, ignorant of the rules -- save England, which regularly staged one-day games.The 15 matches played in a 60-over format -- in conventional whites and
with the red cherry at six venues -- June 7-21, nevertheless, were a
roaring success, both in terms of spectator support as well as
entertainment.
The thrill that one-day cricket could provide was amply evident in Pakistan's Group A clash against the West Indies.
Pakistan posted a challenging score of 266, courtesy three half-centuries from Majid Khan, Zaheer Abbas and Wasim Raja.
In reply, the West Indies slipped to 99 for five, with Roy Fredericks,
Gordon Greenidge, Alvin Kallicharran, Vivian Richards and Rohan Kanhai back in the pavilion.
Pakistan pacer Sarfaraz Nawaz (4/44)
exploited the moisture to the full to create havoc in the West Indies
batting line up. The great Javed Miandad, making his ODI debut, bowled
his slow spin to get rid of the rival skipper Clive Lloyd.
with the red cherry at six venues -- June 7-21, nevertheless, were a
roaring success, both in terms of spectator support as well as
entertainment.
The thrill that one-day cricket could provide was amply evident in Pakistan's Group A clash against the West Indies.
Pakistan posted a challenging score of 266, courtesy three half-centuries from Majid Khan, Zaheer Abbas and Wasim Raja.
In reply, the West Indies slipped to 99 for five, with Roy Fredericks,
Gordon Greenidge, Alvin Kallicharran, Vivian Richards and Rohan Kanhai back in the pavilion.
Pakistan pacer Sarfaraz Nawaz (4/44)
exploited the moisture to the full to create havoc in the West Indies
batting line up. The great Javed Miandad, making his ODI debut, bowled
his slow spin to get rid of the rival skipper Clive Lloyd.
At 203 for nine in the 46th over, it seemed all was over for the
Caribbean outfit. But the last-wicket pair of wicketkeeper Deryck Murray and pacer Andy Roberts added 64 runs to put the West Indies in the semifinal with two balls to spare and send Pakistan packing.
However, to everybody's surprise, Murray's cool and unbeaten 61 in the most trying of circumstances failed to earn him the Man of the Match award,
with the honour going to Sarfaraz.
It is said the adjudicator of the award Tom Graveney had left the field before the match ended and thus missed Murray's batting.
India, then a novice in limited-over cricket, started off the tournament -
then called the Prudential Cup after its sponsors Prudential Assurance
Company - pathetically.
In the inaugural match, England batsmen beat Indian bowlers to pulp to record the first 300-plus score (334/4) in an ODI.
Dennis Amiss (137) notched up the maiden hundred of the big tournament. Chris Old scored the fastest 50 which came off only 30 balls.
In reply, India made a leisurely 132 for three after batting the full quota of 60 overs at a dismal run rate of 2.2.
Legendary opener Sunil Gavaskar played one of the slowest ODI knocks, as he carried his bat through the innings to score an unbelievable 36 (174 balls, 1 four).
To this day, the great batsman has failed to give a proper explanation for his excruciatingly slow effort, except attributing it to inexperience.
Caribbean outfit. But the last-wicket pair of wicketkeeper Deryck Murray and pacer Andy Roberts added 64 runs to put the West Indies in the semifinal with two balls to spare and send Pakistan packing.
However, to everybody's surprise, Murray's cool and unbeaten 61 in the most trying of circumstances failed to earn him the Man of the Match award,
with the honour going to Sarfaraz.
It is said the adjudicator of the award Tom Graveney had left the field before the match ended and thus missed Murray's batting.
India, then a novice in limited-over cricket, started off the tournament -
then called the Prudential Cup after its sponsors Prudential Assurance
Company - pathetically.
In the inaugural match, England batsmen beat Indian bowlers to pulp to record the first 300-plus score (334/4) in an ODI.
Dennis Amiss (137) notched up the maiden hundred of the big tournament. Chris Old scored the fastest 50 which came off only 30 balls.
In reply, India made a leisurely 132 for three after batting the full quota of 60 overs at a dismal run rate of 2.2.
Legendary opener Sunil Gavaskar played one of the slowest ODI knocks, as he carried his bat through the innings to score an unbelievable 36 (174 balls, 1 four).
To this day, the great batsman has failed to give a proper explanation for his excruciatingly slow effort, except attributing it to inexperience.