On this day in 1979, the mighty West Indies etched their name in cricketing history by winning their second consecutive ICC Cricket World Cup, defeating England by 92 runs in a dominant final at Lord’s. Led by the charismatic Clive Lloyd, the Caribbean side showcased their all-round supremacy in the Prudential Cup final, cementing their legacy as the undisputed kings of one-day cricket in the 1970s.
🏏 Viv Richards’ Masterclass and Collis King’s Carnage
After being reduced to 99/4, the West Indies staged a stunning recovery thanks to a legendary unbeaten 138 off 157 balls by Sir Vivian Richards, supported by a blistering 86 off 66 from Collis King. Their 139-run fifth-wicket stand turned the tide, propelling the Windies to a formidable 286/9 in 60 overs.
“It was one of the most glorious innings in World Cup history,” cricket historians recall of Richards’ knock, which included 11 fours and 3 sixes.
🔥 Joel Garner’s Fiery Five-Wicket Haul
England’s chase began cautiously, with Mike Brearley (64 off 130) and Geoff Boycott (57 off 105) adding 129 for the first wicket. However, their slow scoring rate backfired as the required run rate soared. The West Indies pace battery, led by Joel Garner’s 5/38, ripped through the middle order, bundling England out for 194 in 51 overs.
🏆 West Indies’ World Cup Dominance
The 1979 triumph followed their inaugural World Cup win in 1975, making the West Indies the first team to win back-to-back World Cups. The victory underscored their dominance in the early era of ODI cricket, combining explosive batting with fearsome fast bowling.
Stay tuned for more moments from cricket’s golden archives.
