World Cup Flashback: Let’s flip through the pages of history – 1979 World Cup

The second World Cup was a huge success that witnessed some memorable and mind-blowing performances by the players. The tournament took place from June 9 to June 23, 1979. Winners of the first edition retained the title after lifting the World Cup trophy for the second time in 1979, thanks to the sensational knock of 138 runs by Sir Viv Richards in the finals against England. 

Like the inaugural season, it was also held in England in the same format. Total eight teams participated in the tournament, which were divided into two groups – Group A and Group B. But, this time East Africa was not a part of the tournament, instead Canada team made its debut in the World Cup. The eight teams that were a part of the competition were Australia, England, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, and Canada.

From the first group, England and Pakistan qualified for the semi-finals, while West Indies and New Zealand made it to the semi-finals from the second group. The first semi-final took place between England and New Zealand at Manchester in which England emerged victoriously. In the second semi-final played between Pakistan and West Indies at The Oval, West Indies became the second finalist of the tournament defeating Pakistan. 

Key stats

1. West Indies right-handed batsmen, Gordon Greenidge, was the leading run scorer of the tournament (253 runs)
2. Sir Viv Richards’s unbeaten 138 runs in the finals against England was the highest individual score of 1979 World Cup.
3. West Indies team held the record of the highest team total of 1979 World Cup. They scored 293/6 against Pakistan.
4. England’s right arm medium pacer, Mike Hendrick, took the most number of wickets in the tournament (10).
5. Australian right-arm fast bowler, Alan Hurst’s bowling figures against Canada (5/21) were the best in the tournament.

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