Cricket World Cup 1975
The first Cricket World Cup was held in the year 1975. Cricket World Cup 1975 was held in England. 1975 Cricket World Cup final was played between Australia and West Indies. Australia was chasing a victory target of 292 runs and fell short by 17 runs in the 1975 Cricket World Cup final. 1975 Cricket World Cup final was nicely poised when the last Australian pair was playing. The Australian fast bowling duo of Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee were the last two Aussie batsmen, attacking the West Indian bowlers with courage. They’ve already added 41 runs for the last wicket and at one stage seemed to steal the 1975 Cricket World Cup final from the jaws of West Indies.
There was no Man of the Series award in the Cricket World Cup 1975, as it was the first Cricket World Cup. The Man of the match award in the 1975 Cricket World Cup final was given to Clive Lloyd. Only 18 ODIs were played before the first Cricket World Cup - Cricket World Cup 1975. The first Cricket World Cup was an instant hit among the spectators.
 Cricket World Cup 1979 was held in England. 1979 Cricket World Cup final was played West Indies and England. England, under their shrewd captain, Mike Brearley, was fantastic throughout the tournament. Throughout the Cricket World Cup 1979, English team remained unbeaten; however, they lost the 1979 Cricket World Cup final against West Indies by a huge margin of 92 runs. In 1979 Cricket World Cup final, England was chasing a victory target of 287. They had a century stand for the first wicket between Geoff Boycott and Mike Brearley. However, they were too slow that some fans could have easily misunderstood, as if they were playing a five day match. West Indies bowlers bowled some tight spells of pace bowling, especially Joel Garner, who dismissed half the English side. Colin Croft took 3 and the rest two wickets were taken by ‘Whispering death’ Michael Holding. These fast bowlers were not only excellent in the Cricket World Cup final, but throughout the Cricket World Cup 1979. Cricket World Cup 1983  Indian team was charged up for Cricket World Cup 1983 final, as they couldn’t afford to lose after going that close. As the last West Indian wicket fell in the 1983 Cricket World Cup final, Indian fans present in the ground got crazy and came in the ground to touch their heroes. 1983 Cricket World Cup final was a memorable final. Indian victory in Cricket World Cup 1983 final also marked the rise of a team which was considered a weak side. Cricket World Cup 1987  1987 Cricket World Cup final was the most tensed and closest world cup final ever held. In 1987 Cricket World Cup final, Australia chose to bat and scored 253-5. England, while chasing a victory target of 254, fell short by 7 runs. If England would have won 1987 Cricket World Cup final, they would have justified that cricket is indeed, an English game. Cricket World Cup 1987 was the last world cup of Indian great Sunil Gavaskar. Gavaskar scored his only ODI century against New Zealand. What Australian team, everyone has witnessed in 2000s, is due to the victory in 1987 Cricket World Cup final. This victory in 1987 Cricket World Cup final was the entry gate for Australia in the Big League with West Indies, India, South Africa etc. Cricket World Cup 1992 Pakistani Cricket fans would like this section, as this section of Cricket World Cup 1992 talks about Cricket World Cup 1992 final, Cricket World Cup 1992 semi final, Cricket World Cup 1992 song, those close moments of 1992 Cricket World Cup final and other things about Cricket World Cup 1992. Pakistan was the winner of the Cricket World Cup 1992.  Just like Cricket World Cup 1992 final, Cricket World Cup 1992 semi final was also an enthralling one. The first Cricket World Cup 1992 semi final held between Pakistan and New Zealand. New Zealand was one of the exciting teams in the Cricket World Cup 1992. They reached the Cricket World Cup 1992 semi final defeating top teams of the tournament. Pakistan defeated New Zealand by 4 wickets in the first Cricket World Cup 1992 semi final. In the top order, Rameez Raja and Imran Khan, and in the middle order, Javed Miandad and the young force Inzamam-ul-Haq futile the efforts of Kiwi captain Martin Crowe and Ken Rutherford. This innings of Inzamam-ul-Haq in the Cricket World Cup 1992 semi final established him in the Pakistani team. The second Cricket World Cup 1992 semi final was between England and South Africa. Rain played ill-sport in that game and South Africa, having required 22 off 18 balls, were given a revised target of 19 runs in 1 ball. It was a fate of destiny for South Africa, as it was the start of many hiccups that they had to face after this debacle. Cricket World Cup 1992 song: Cricket World Cup 1992 song titled Who Rules the World was very famous among Pakistani cricket fans. Cricket World Cup 1992 song made them more excited after the victory of Pakistan in the Cricket World Cup 1992. However, Cricket World Cup 1992 song is hardly available these days. Cricket World Cup 1996  1996 Cricket World Cup song: 1996 Cricket World Cup song included cricketers like Salil Ankola, Ajay Jadeja, Vinod Kambli, Clive Llyod and the Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar. 1996 Cricket World Cup song was filled with excitement due to the presence of the master himself. It seems that 1996 Cricket World Cup song inspired Sachin to score most number of runs in the 1996 Cricket World Cup. 1996 Cricket World Cup matches: 1996 Cricket World Cup matches were mostly played in India and Pakistan. Though Sri Lanka also hosted some of the 1996 Cricket World Cup matches, but India and Pakistan were the major hosts of 1996 Cricket World Cup matches. Sachin Tendulkar was the highest run getter and Anil Kumble was the highest wicket taker in 1996 Cricket World Cup matches. 1996 Cricket World Cup semi final: The first 1996 Cricket World Cup semi final was played between India and Sri Lanka, in which Sri Lanka was awarded the match, as Indian supporters present in the Eden Gardens, Kolkata made it almost impossible for the match to continue. India, chasing a victory target of 252, was reduced to 120-8 in 34.1 overs. Due to crowd’s interference, 1996 Cricket World Cup semi final would always be counted in one of the darkest chapters of world cup cricket. 1996 Cricket World Cup semi final could have been exciting for India if the captain of India, Mohd. Azharuddin, having won the toss, chose to bat. It could have been a different story altogether. The second 1996 Cricket World Cup semi final was between Australia and West Indies. This 1996 Cricket World Cup semi final was an exciting game, as the victory margin in this 1996 Cricket World Cup semi final was just 5 runs. West Indies choked at the last moment and lost the game in the last over. 1996 Cricket World Cup final: 1996 Cricket World Cup final was an exciting game. 1996 Cricket World Cup final was played between Australia and Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka emerged as the winner in the 1996 Cricket World Cup final, defeating Australia by 6 wickets. 1996 Cricket World Cup final would always be remembered for the transformation of Sri Lankan team into a strong unit. Cricket World Cup 1999  This and other such interesting and unknown facts would be unveiled in this section of ICC Cricket World Cup 1999. ICC Cricket World Cup 1999 also marks the rising of a new star – South African Lance Klusener. Lance Klusener was the real star of the tournament and won many games for South Africa, almost single handedly. Some people thought that Klusener also became villain and should be held responsible for South Africa’s exit after playing a Tie game, i.e., Cricket World Cup 1999 semi final. Cricket World Cup 1999 semi final: Cricket World Cup 1999 semi final was the most exciting semi final, one could ever see in a World Cup. Cricket World Cup 1999 semi final was between Australia and South Africa. Australia defeated South Africa earlier in the World Cup in Super 8 stage. To reach Cricket World Cup 1999 final, Australia need to either win the match or have to play a tie. On the other hand, South Africa required victory and only victory. Australia batted first and scored 213. They limited South Africa to 205-9 in 49 overs. South Africa needed 9 runs off the last over to win Cricket World Cup 1999 semi final and enter Cricket World Cup 1999 final. Lance Klusener was on the strike along with Allan Donald at the non striker end. The last over was to be bowled by Damien Fleming. Klusener hit two brutal cover drives on the first two balls of the over to level the scores. South Africa then needed only 1 run off 4 balls. The third ball was a dot one and Allan Donald ran unusually on the fourth ball to run himself out. South Africa was not able to enter the Cricket World Cup 1999 final, as the match tied and Australia entered the Cricket World Cup 1999 final. Cricket World Cup 1999 final: In the Cricket World Cup 1999 final, Australia defeated Pakistan in the most one sided final, as it got over in 4 and a half hours. Pakistan batted first and managed to score only 132in 39 overs. Australia scored the needed runs in a mere 20.1 overs and lifted ICC Cricket World Cup 1999. Cricket World Cup 2003  ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 was the eight Cricket World Cup. ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 was held in South Africa – the land of diamonds. It was the most successful World Cup held ever held. People still remember the Cricket World Cup 2003 final, which was held at Johannesburg on 23rd March 2003 between India and Australia.That was Australia’s third World Cup title. On the other hand, India were the runner ups having lost the Cricket World Cup 2003 final by 122 runs. This was the second time an Indian team reached to the finals of Cricket World Cup. The other occasion was of course 1983 World Cup, where they defeated the mighty West Indies. Cricket World Cup 2003 final seemed to be a one sided affair, though India fought really hard to sec ure the victory and win the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003. However, they fall short by 122 runs, chasing a victory target of 360 runs. 2003 Cricket World Cup final scorecard looked hugely in favour of Australia. 2003 Cricket World Cup final scorecard shows the dominance of Australia in the Cricket World Cup 2003 final. 2003 Cricket World Cup final scorecard showed that India lost because of poor bowling and the initial onslaught done by Adam Gilchrist. Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn continued attacking Indian bowlers. Official Cricket World Cup 2003 song: Cricket World Cup 2003 song was sung by Pakistani Pop Band Strings. The title of Cricket World Cup 2003 song was “Hai Koyi Hum Jaisa”. Cricket World Cup 2003 song featured students aspiring to become Cricketers in Pakistani team. Cricket World Cup 2003 song got immensely popular in Pakistan. Cricket World Cup 2007  Cricket World Cup 2007 final: Cricket World Cup 2007 final was played between the finalists of 1996 World Cup, Australia and Sri Lanka. Cricket World Cup 2007 final was a rain curtailed match and was of 38 overs only. Australia won the toss in the Cricket World Cup 2007 final against Sri Lanka and decided to bat first. Opening batsman and wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist was in a blazing form and scored 149 runs off just 104 balls with 13 fours and 8 sixes. Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting and Andrew Symonds played useful innings to take Australia to a massive 281. Sri Lanka, in reply chased the total bravely, as veteran batsman Sanath Jayasuriya scored 63 runs off 67 balls and shared a century stand for the second wicket with Kumar Sangakkara, who scored 54 off just 52 balls. But as soon as these two departed, Sri Lankans seemed to lose their way and lost the Cricket World Cup 2007 final by 53 runs.Though, Sri Lanka lost the Cricket World Cup 2007 final by a big margin, still authorities were questioned as Sri Lankans have to play most part of their innings under dark. The flood lights were not installed in the stadium. This incident tainted the image of Cricket World Cup 2007 West Indies. Official Cricket World Cup 2007 song: Official Cricket World Cup 2007 song was titled "THE GAME OF LOVE AND UNITY". The song was sung by Jamaican-born Shaggy, Barbadian entertainer Rupee and Trinidadian Faye-Ann Lyons. Cricket World Cup 2007 song became popular overnight and Cricket World Cup 2007 song was acclaimed all over the globe. Cricket World Cup 2007 song was aimed at global unity, peace and togetherness. ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 song lyrics Chorus (at the start) Play, in this beautiful game Where the rules and aim Remain the same It's the game of love unity Play, in this beautiful game Where the rules and aim Will never change It's the game of love unity Verse 1 Sending out invitations All over the world Every race, every class, Every man, every girl Whether near, whether far Come and join in the fun (Oh na na na) This is it, one big game that you cannot miss No matter who you are - everyone’s on the list This is the game of life and we all are one (So come along) Chorus (repeated twice) Play, in this beautiful game Where the rules and aim Remain the same It's the game of love unity Play, in this beautiful game Where the rules and aim Will never change It's the game of love unity Dancehall breakaway (repeated twice) We run the place We set the pace We lead the chase Everybody participate and… No time to waste Lift up the pace and celebrate It’s our obligation We fascinate, we captivate Your mind, your heart, soul and Rhythm of the nation We play, we play We feel the game Come on, come on Let me see you gyrate Verse 2 Bring along all your friends And tell them join in Cause this game never ends Once it begins We will spread peace and love For eternity All your worries and stress Let them all go We won't settle for less Cause we're all MELLO Bring your heart and your soul and set your mind free Chorus (repeated twice) Play, in this beautiful game Where the rules and aim Remain the same It's the game of love unity Play, in this beautiful game Where the rules and aim Will never change It's the game of love unity Bridge We will rejoice And sound our voice Cause we are one together L.O.V.E. and unity, Forever Chorus (repeated to the end) Play, in this beautiful game Where the rules and aim Remain the same It's the game of love unity Play, in this beautiful game Where the rules and aim Will never change It's the game of love unity Revenue wise, Cricket World Cup 2007 West Indies, or officially speaking ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, was not a big hit, as the advent of T20 Cricket made people a bit disinterested in ODIs. Also, due to the poor performance of West Indian team, the local crowd was not much interested in the matches of ICC Cricket World Cup 2007. The weather was also not Cricket friendly. Due to this, some games of Cricket World Cup 2007 West Indies were curtailed. Many teams, including India lost their captain after the world cup debacle. Rahul Dravid was the Indian captain and he was removed from captaincy and wicketkeeper batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni was made the Indian captain. Overall, Cricket World Cup 2007 West Indies was not a flop, neither a hit. ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 would be remembered as the first hattrick of any international Cricket team to win 3 World Cups in a row. Also, ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 would be remembered for bringing the World Cup to the group of Islands – West Indies. | |||||