| The Cricket World Cup is the biggest event held in international cricket. It is a quadrennial event played under the auspices of the International Cricket Council. The first edition of the World Cup was held in 1975 in England. Infact, England hosted the first three editions. All three were named the Prudential Cup, after the sponsor’s name. Only Test playing nations could compete in the first World Cup but later the ICC introduced an ICC Trophy. Non-Test playing countries participate in the ICC Trophy and compete for a slot in the ICC World Cup. This concept was put in place from the very next edition in 1979. Canada and Sri Lanka were the first two countries to qualify for the World Cup under this format.
In all, 9 World Cups have been played since 1975. West Indies won the 1975 and the 1979 World Cups. They beat Australia in the 1975 final at Lord’s and England in the 1979 World Cup final. But, in 1983 underdogs Team India upset world champions West Indies at Lord’s. The first three editions comprised 60-overs-a-side matches but they were reduced to the current 50-over game from 1987.
The 1987 World Cup was jointly hosted by India and Pakistan. Australia won their first World Cup defeating England. The 1992 World Cup was jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand. It was won by Pakistan under the able leadership of Imran Khan. A string of changes were ushered from this edition. Coloured clothing were used in addition to white balls, day/night matches, and an alteration to the fielding restrictions.
Sri Lanka beat Australia to lift the 1996 World Cup jointly hosted by India, Pakistan and Lanka. But, the next three editions were completely dominated by Australia. They won the 1999 World Cup held in England crushing Pakistan in the final. The 2003 World Cup held in South Africa saw tremendous performance by the Aussies wherein they beat India in the final. They struck a hat-trick by winning the 2007 World Cup held in the Caribbean. They routed Sri Lanka in the final under the controversial Duckworth-Lewis method.
The next edition of the World Cup is scheduled for 2011 and will again be jointly hosted by India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
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