On This Day In 1979: West Indies Crowned Cricket World Cup Champions At Lord's
On This Day In 1979: The mighty West Indies playing under their inspirational skipper Clive Lloyd were crowned World Cup champions on this day. The Calypso Kings flexed their dominance in world cricket by lifting the prestigious trophy for the second consecutive time. Lloyd's men hammered England in the 1979 Prudential World Cup final played at Lord's after a comprehensive display.
Unleashing their battery of renowned quicks and flamboyant set of batters, West Indies pulverised the Englishmen, who were left regretting the decision to bowl first on a good batting surface on this day in 1979.
The legendary Sir Vivian Richards bossed the England attack in one of the most memorable knocks played in World Cup history. The charismatic right-hander was at his freeflowing best as he smashed138 not out off 157 deliveries, including 11 fours and 3 maximums.
Richards sent the Mike Brearley-led England side on a leather hunt and recorded a strike rate of 87.89, which was unheard of in the early years of One-Day Internationals. It was the most glorious innings that helped West Indies overcome multiple hiccups at the other end.
Reduced to 4 down for 99 at one stage, West Indies had Richards combining with the aggressive Collis King in the most brutal counterattacking stand of 139 runs for the fifth wicket. Notably, King dominated the partnership with the maestro and ended with an amazing 86 off 66 deliveries.
Even as King fell after his breathtaking knock, Richards stood in no mood to relent and kept attacking the English attack that needed to create inroads into the lower order to restrict the West Indies to an imposing 286/9 after 60 overs in the second World Cup final played. Sir Ian Botham took 2 for 44 for England in his 12 overs.
During the run-chase, the stark difference between the two teams' powerhitting game stood exposed.
Captain Brearley and Geoffrey Boycott batted painstakingly slow at the top of the innings. In a 129-run opening partnership that would've fit perfectly in a Test match against the new, moving ball, Brearley took 130 deliveries to make 64 while Boycott ended with 57 off his 105-ball stay.
That pushed the asking rate through the roof against a Caribbean attack that offered no respite. Both Brearley and Boycott were removed by the great Michael Holding before the tall Joel Garner got into the act and scripted a fifer in a World Cup final for the West Indies.
The fiery spell ran through the English middle-order as Graham Gooch's 32 ended up being the third-highest score on a disappointing scorecard. England could only muster 194 all out in their response in 51 overs, not even managing to bat the full quota of overs.
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June 23, 2025, 07:20 IST
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