How the Cricket World Cup evolved

Cricket’s biggest tournament – the World Cup – will be held in the West Indies between 13 March and 28 April.

A total of 16 teams will vie for cricket’s most illustrious prize.

It will be the ninth time the tournament has been staged since the first one was held in England 32 years ago in 1975.

We look back at the history of the one-day international competition and its mixture of magic moments, shocks and controversies.

Winners: West Indies beat Australia by 17 runs
The first World Cup included the six Test nations of the time, minus the excluded South Africa, plus Sri Lanka and East Africa.
Some teams struggle with the 60-over format. In one game against hosts England, India got it totally wrong – failing to realise you could not play for a draw!
The West Indies, featuring stars Gordon Greenidge, Viv Richards and Clive Lloyd, won a great final on a balmy evening at Lord’s. They beat an Australian side, including Ian and Greg Chappell and Dennis Lillee, by 17 runs.

Winners: West Indies beat England by 92 runs

Kerry Packer’s World Series had dramatically changed the cricketing landscape but a truce was agreed before the World Cup – players signed to the rival could take part.
Australia were not at full strength and Canada replaced East Africa but the same format remained. Hosts England made the final against a backdrop of lower crowds and indifferent weather.
West Indies piled on 286-9 in their 60 overs, with Viv Richards hitting 138. England’s Mike Brearley and Geoff Boycott put on 127 in reply for the first wicket but were skittled for 194, Joel Garner claiming 5-38.

Winners: India beat West Indies by 43 runs

One-day cricket’s popularity led to the event expanding. Teams faced each other twice in their groups.
England, West Indies and Sri Lanka fielded weakened sides as players had defected to rebel tours in South Africa but the World Cup still grossed £1m for the first time.
There were still eight sides, with Sri Lanka a Test team in their own right and ICC Trophy winners Zimbabwe making their debut.
India gained momentum and stunned England in the semis before the West Indies suffered a similar fate in the final.

Winners: Australia beat England by seven runs

The World Cup was staged outside England for the first time and proved another success despite initial problems with the Indian government threatening to refuse visas to players who had toured South Africa.
The games were reduced to 50 overs because of shorter daylight hours and neutral umpires were introduced.
Australia triumphed by seven runs in a tense final. England had looked well place at 135-2 chasing 256 but Mike Gatting’s dismissal attempting a reverse sweep saw England’s hopes evaporate.

Winners: Pakistan beat England by 22 runs

Coloured clothing made its debut, day-night matches were played and South Africa returned from an international sport ban as Australia and New Zealand hosted the Cup.
All nine teams played each other in a round-robin, which worked but has never been repeated.
South Africa beat Australia on their way to the semis, but lost controversially – rain rules at the time meant they needed 22 off only one ball.
England, including the likes of Alec Stewart and Graham Gooch, were favourites to win but Imran Khan’s 72 helped Pakistan to victory.

Winners: Sri Lanka beat Australia by seven wickets

The format was changed with two groups of six playing each other as Holland, Kenya and the United Arab Emirates were added.
Sri Lanka easily beat England in the quarter-finals and made their first final by default when the semi was stopped.
They were on top against India when parts of the crowd at Eden Gardens in Calcutta vented their disgust by setting fire to seats and throwing objects onto the field.
The final in Lahore belonged to Aravinda de Silva, whose unbeaten 107 from 124 balls secured an emphatic win.

Winners: Australia beat Pakistan by eight wickets

Shocks ensued as a Super 6 round was created.
Hosts England did not make the Super 6s after finishing fourth – below Zimbabwe – in Group A and Australia nearly lost out as well before beating West Indies in the final game.
In the semi, South Africa’s Allan Donald was run out with one run needed. The match was tied – but the Aussies progressed after a better Super 6 record.
Shane Warne’s 4-33 in the final saw Pakistan fall for 132 as Australia won in 20.1 overs.

Winners: Australia 359-2 beat India by 125 runs

The tournament in South Africa was increased to 14 teams and there was another Super 6 stage.
Australia spinner Shane Warne pulled out beforehand after failing a drugs test.
England refused to play in Zimbabwe for political and security reasons. New Zealand did the same in Kenya and India almost did not turn up at all after a sponsors’ dispute.
Hosts South Africa exited early after misreading their Duckworth/Lewis chart while Ricky Ponting’s outstanding 140 helped Australia crush India in the final.

Images courtesy of BBC Online