The 2nd ICC ODI Cricket World Cup: A Pioneering Journey

The 2nd ICC Cricket World Cup (One Day International – ODI) took place in 1979. The tournament was held from June 9 to June 23, 1979. It was hosted by England, and West Indies emerged as the champions, defeating England in the final. This was the second edition of the Cricket World Cup, and it marked a significant moment in the history of limited-overs cricket. The First ODI World Cup was held in 1975

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2nd ICC ODI Cricket World Cup Centuries (100s):

During the 2nd ICC ODI Cricket World Cup in 1979, there were several notable centuries scored by batsmen. Here are some of the first centuries recorded during that tournament:

1. Clive Lloyd (West Indies):
   • Clive Lloyd was the first batsman to score a century in the 1979 World Cup.
   • He scored an unbeaten 102 runs against India in the group stage match on June 9, 1979, at Old Trafford, Manchester.
     
2. Gordon Greenidge (West Indies):
   • Gordon Greenidge was another West Indian batsman who shone in the 1979 World Cup.
   • He scored 106 runs against India in the same group stage match as Clive Lloyd, also at Old Trafford, Manchester.
     
3. Alvin Kalicharan (West Indies):
   • Alvin Kalicharan was yet another West Indian cricketer who made a significant impact.
   • He scored 78 runs against Pakistan in the group stage match on June 16, 1979, at The Oval, London.
     
4. Roy Fredericks (West Indies):
   • Roy Fredericks played a crucial role in West Indies’ success during the tournament.
   • He scored 105 runs against England in the group stage match on June 18, 1979, at Lord’s, London.

These centuries by West Indian batsmen played a pivotal role in their team’s journey to winning the 1979 ICC ODI Cricket World Cup. They not only showcased the talent of West Indies’ top-order batsmen but also set the tone for an exciting and historic tournament.

2nd ICC ODI Cricket World Cup Fifties (50s):

During the 2nd ICC ODI Cricket World Cup in 1979, many batsmen scored half-centuries (fifties) as well. Here are some of the notable fifties recorded during that tournament:

1. Dennis Amiss (England):
   • Dennis Amiss scored 88 runs against Australia in the opening match of the tournament on June 9, 1979, at Lord’s, London.
     
2. Clive Lloyd (West Indies):
   • In addition to his century, Clive Lloyd scored 55 not out against Australia in the group stage match on June 20, 1979, at The Oval, London.
     
3. Mike Brearley (England):
   • Mike Brearley contributed with a crucial 64 runs against Australia in the opening match on June 9, 1979, at Lord’s, London.
     
4. Alvin Kallicharran (West Indies):
   • Apart from his century, Alvin Kalicharan also scored a half-century, making 78 runs against India in the group stage match on June 9, 1979, at Old Trafford, Manchester.
     
5. David Gower (England):
   • David Gower played an important role in England’s campaign with a 65-run knock against West Indies in the group stage match on June 16, 1979, at The Oval, London.
     
6. Vivian Richards (West Indies):
   • The legendary Vivian Richards also had some notable contributions with the bat. He scored 51 runs against England in the final match on June 23, 1979, at Lord’s, London.

These fifties showcased the batting talent and resilience of various players in the 1979 ICC ODI Cricket World Cup. They played crucial roles in their respective teams’ performances and added excitement to the tournament.

The Inaugural Match: England vs. India

The 2nd ICC ODI Cricket world Cup kicked off on June 9, 1979, with the inaugural match between hosts England and India at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. This encounter was laden with historical significance. It was the first-ever ODI World Cup match to be played, marking the birth of a new era in cricket.

India’s Kapil Dev became the first bowler to take a wicket in ODI World Cup history by dismissing England’s Mike Brearley. In a closely contested match, England emerged victorious by 35 runs, setting the tone for an exhilarating tournament.

The Advent of Floodlights: Semi-Final and Final

The 1979 World Cup witnessed another pioneering moment when the semi-final and final matches were played under floodlights. This was a first not only for the World Cup but for international cricket as a whole. The semi-final between Pakistan and West Indies at The Oval and the final between England and West Indies at Lord’s were both day-night matches.

In the 2nd ICC ODI Cricket World Cup final, West Indies successfully chased down England’s target of 286 runs, securing their second consecutive World Cup victory. This match showcased the electrifying atmosphere that floodlit cricket could create, and it paved the way for the development of day-night cricket matches around the world.

The Final Match of 2nd ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 1979

The final match of the 1979, 2nd ICC ODI Cricket World Cup took place on June 23, 1979, at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, England. It was a highly anticipated clash between the West Indies and England, and it was played as a day-night match, making it one of the first-ever day-night matches in cricket history.

Match Summary:

• West Indies Innings: West Indies batted first and posted a total of 286 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their allotted 60 overs. Vivian Richards was the top scorer for West Indies, making a vital contribution with 138 not out of 157 balls.
  
• England Innings: England faced a challenging target of 287 runs to win the World Cup. However, they were bowled out for 194 runs in 51 overs. Joel Garner was the standout bowler for the West Indies, taking 5 wickets for just 38 runs.

Result: West Indies won the final match of the 1979, 2nd ICC ODI Cricket World Cup by 92 runs. This victory marked their second consecutive World Cup win, solidifying their dominance in the cricketing world at the time.

Vivian Richards’ brilliant century and Joel Garner’s exceptional bowling performance were the standout moments of the final, and they played a crucial role in West Indies’ success in the tournament. The 1979, 2nd ICC ODI Cricket World Cup final remains a memorable chapter in cricket history and is remembered as a historic day in the sport.

In the final match of the 1979 ICC ODI Cricket World Cup between West Indies and England, here are the total statistics for runs, boundaries (4s and 6s), and wickets:

• Total Runs Scored: West Indies scored a total of 286 runs in their innings.
• Total Boundaries (4s and 6s): West Indies hit a total of 31 boundaries, which included both fours (4s) and sixes (6s).
• Total Wickets Taken: England took a total of 9 wickets while bowling against West Indies.
• Total Runs Scored by England: England, in their chase, scored a total of 194 runs before getting bowled out.

Please note that the final match was played with a total of 60 overs per side as was the norm for ODIs at that time. West Indies’ strong batting performance and England’s inability to reach the target allowed West Indies to win the match by 92 runs and clinch their second consecutive Cricket World Cup title.