Kerry Packer made it colourful
Since the inception of the World Cup Cricket in 1975 in England, the continent of Oceania is hosting the competition for the second time (the first one in 1992 won by Pakistan beating England). By countries, these are Australia and New Zealand though the distance between the two countries is about 1,500 miles by sea.
The international one-day (ODI) game is a late twentieth-century development. The first ODI was played on January 5 in 1971 between Australia and England at the Melbourne cricket ground. When the first three days of the third Test were washed out, officials decided to abandon the match, and, instead, went on to organize a one-off one day game consisting of 48 ball overs per side. Australia won the game by 5 wickets. ODIs were played in white kits with a red ball.
In 1979, it is Australian’s business tycoon Kerry Packer established the rival World Series Cricket (WSC) competition, and it introduced many of the features of One Day International cricket that are now commonplace, including coloured uniforms, matches at night under floodlights with a white ball and dark sight screens, and, for television broadcasts, multiple camera angles, effects microphones to capture sounds from the players on the pitch, and on-screen graphics. Three sides-hosts Australia, West Indies and the World X1 took part in the WSC-the first match being played at VFL Park in Melbourne on 17 January 1979.
All leading cricketers from all over the world agreed to make them available for the WSC, ignoring the respective country’s cricket board’s warning of suspension. Kerry Packer made both cricket and players rich, and expanded its area beyond the borders.
Inspired by the WSC, the ICC decided to hold World Cup Cricket, which took place in England from June 7 to 21 in 1975 won by the West Indies beating Australia by 17 runs. Eight nations divided into two groups of four vied for the world title. The first match was played between hosts England and India at Lord’s.
Abdullah Akber
Dhaka
