ChronoFive
Play today’s puzzle
Setting the scene
One-day limited-overs cricket was gaining television audiences in England, and the sport's governing bodies gambled that a knockout World Cup could rival football's global tournaments.
What happened
The first Cricket World Cup was held in England in 1975, with eight teams playing 60-over matches; the West Indies beat Australia in the final at Lord's under Clive Lloyd's captaincy.
Why it still matters
The tournament validated one-day cricket as a commercial spectacle and set the template for future World Cups across formats. Memorable detail: the final featured a dramatic Lloyd century and a famous Viv Richards run-out throw.
Background
West Indies won the inaugural tournament.