The 1975 Prudential World Cup marks the first biggest tournament in the history of world cricket. Windies Cricket team led by the legendary Clive Lloyd entered into the tournament as the favourites and rightly so emerged victorious beating Australia in the final at Lords.
Meanwhile, the deciding factor was the wonderful hundred by Clive Lloyd after Ian Chappell had won the toss and invited the West Indies to bat. Until Lloyd arrived at 50 for three, Chappell had set a fairly tight field and his battery of quick seam bowlers had kept the West Indies under subjection. Australia gained the initiative when Fredericks hooked a bouncer high over fine leg for 6 only to lose his balance and tread on his wicket. Greenidge spent 80 minutes crawling to 13 and a rash cut by Kallicharran ended in a flick to the wicketkeeper.
Then Lloyd partnered with Rohan Kanhai as a willing anchorman – he did not score for 11 overs – and the pair put on 149 together in 36 overs. Lloyd scored 102 runs off just 82 balls including 12 boundaries and two sixes while a late cameo from Keith Boyce propelled Windies to 292 runs.
However, the Australian run chase began steadily enough; at the 20-over mark, the Aussies were at 80/1 with Alan Turner and captain Ian Chappell taking advantage of an easy pitch and fast outfield. Viv Richards, who failed to make a mark with the bat made an impact with three runouts. Australia tried to provide a good challenge to Windies bowlers but no batsmen managed to bat long and take their side to victory. Boyce after his significant contribution with the bat picked four wickets to script victory for Windies by 17 runs in front of a packed Lord’s crowd.
Meanwhile, Sportzwiki reveals where are the players of the Windies side now, who were there in the finale of IPL 2008.
Windies Cricket Team – 1975 Prudential World Cup Winners – Where Are They Now?
ROY FREDERICKS
A small left-hander from Berbice, Frederick made his ODI debut for Windies in 1973, five years after his Test debut. Although he provided the Caribbeans with a solid opening option, Frederick struggled for runs during the 1975 World Cup campaign. During the event, he became the first batsman to get out hit wicket in the history of ODI cricket and World Cup as well.
His poor run with the continued as he managed to score only seven runs before getting out in the mega final. However, it didn’t matter as Windies lifted the inaugural World Cup, then known as Prudential World Cup Trophy.
After his retirement from cricket, Roy Frederick served as the Minister for Youth, Sport and Culture in Guyana in the Forbes Burnham regime. He eventually died on September 5, 2000, at the age of 57 years of throat cancer.