Cricket, often referred to as a gentleman’s game, has a glorious history that culminates in the grandeur of the Cricket World Cup. While cricket enthusiasts worldwide passionately follow the event, there are some intriguing, lesser-known facts that add a unique flavor to this prestigious tournament.
Lesser-Known ICC World Cup Cricket Facts
Delve into the intriguing world of the Cricket World Cup with these lesser-known facts. From its inception to unexpected twists, explore the hidden stories of cricket’s grandest event.
1. Smallest Margin of Victory in a world cup final
In the 1992 World Cup, Pakistan won the final by just 22 runs against England, making it the World Cup final with the smallest margin of victory.
2. Maiden Century in a World Cup
The first-ever century in a World Cup was scored by Dennis Amiss of England in the inaugural 1975 tournament. He made 137 runs against India.
3. Lowest Team Total in a Final
In the 1983 final, India bowled the West Indies out for just 140 runs, the lowest team total in a World Cup final. India went on to win its first-ever World Cup.
4. Unique Bowling Record
In 1987, Australian bowler Craig McDermott took a wicket with his first ball of the tournament and his last ball. He remains the only bowler to achieve this in a single World Cup.
5. Shortest World Cup Match
The 1979 World Cup witnessed the shortest ODI match in World Cup history. Canada faced England, and the match lasted only 8.5 overs before England secured victory.
6. Only World Cup Held Twice in a Row
The 1996 World Cup co-hosted by India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka holds a unique record. It’s the only World Cup that was held twice consecutively, having been postponed in 1995 due to the Sri Lankan civil war.
7. Zimbabwe’s Opening Record
In 1983, Zimbabwe’s team stunned everyone by winning their first-ever ODI World Cup match against Australia. This marked their debut appearance in the World Cup.
8. Runners-Up Curse
No team that has won the ICC Champions Trophy (known as the ICC KnockOut before 2002) has ever won the World Cup in the same year.
9. Rain Influence
Rain has often played a role in World Cup matches. The 1992 World Cup saw the first-ever rain-rule (Duckworth-Lewis) being applied.
10. Australia’s Dominance
Australia holds the record for the longest winning streak in World Cup history, with 25 consecutive victories between 1999 and 2011.
11. Kapil Dev’s Unbroken Bat
In the 1983 World Cup final, Kapil Dev played a legendary innings of 175 not out against Zimbabwe. What’s lesser known is that he used the same unbroken bat throughout the tournament, a testament to his skill and attachment to his equipment.
12. Bowler’s Delight – 1975 World Cup
The first-ever ODI World Cup in 1975 was dominated by the bowlers. There were no centuries scored.
13. India’s Youngest Captain
In 1982, India’s Kapil Dev became the youngest captain to lead his team in a World Cup at the age of 24. He would later lead India to victory in the 1983 World Cup.
14. World Cup Hat-Trick
In the 1987 World Cup, Indian bowler Chetan Sharma became the first player to take a hat-trick in a World Cup match. He achieved this feat against New Zealand.
15. Highest Partnership in a Final
During the 1979 World Cup final, West Indies openers Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes put on a record 132-run partnership, which remained the highest partnership in a World Cup final for several years.
16. The ‘Ball of the Century’
Shane Warne’s delivery to Mike Gatting in the 1993 Ashes series is widely regarded as the ‘Ball of the Century.’ This exceptional leg-break delivery is an iconic moment in cricket history, though it happened outside the World Cup.
17. Ireland’s Remarkable Debut
In the 2007 World Cup, Ireland made a spectacular debut by defeating Pakistan in a group match. It was a monumental upset and a testament to the unpredictable nature of cricket.
18. Non-Test Nation’s Progress
Kenya’s journey to the semi-finals in the 2003 World Cup was a remarkable feat for a non-Test nation. They beat some strong teams on their way, including Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
19. Tied Semi-Final
The 1999 World Cup semi-final between Australia and South Africa ended in a dramatic tie. Australia advanced to the final because of its superior net run rate, highlighting the importance of run rate in the tournament.
20. Sachin Tendulkar’s Ferrari
After India’s victory in the 2011 World Cup, Sachin Tendulkar was gifted a brand-new Ferrari by the team’s sponsor. He auctioned this car and donated the proceeds to charity.
These additional facts add more depth and intrigue to the rich history of the ODI World Cup, showcasing the extraordinary moments and achievements that have shaped the tournament over the years.
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