2011 World Cup will have new exciting features like UDRS and ‘Super over’ in its folds. This is the latest in a series of changes to formats over the years. Did you know the first 3 World Cup events were played with 60-over innings? Did you know that World Cup was played with red balls till 1987? Did you know 30-yard circle was first introduced in the 1983 World Cup? There are so many changes that have taken place over the years as cricket’s premier event kept marching ahead.

1975 World Cup


No. of teams: 8
Winner: West Indies
Tournament duration: 15 days
Format: Two groups and top two in semi finals
Clothing: White clothing and red balls
Overs per inning: 60
Field restrictions: No
Biggest change in format: NA
Highest score: 334/4 by England against India in Group A
Lowest team score: 86 by Sri Lanka against West Indies in Group B
Unforgettable moment: Dennis Amiss making the first ever World Cup century when he scored 137 off just 147 balls. Another unforgettable moment was Sunil Gavaskar scoring 36 off 174 balls while batting out the 60 overs


1979 World Cup

Winner: West Indies
No. of teams: 8
Tournament duration: 15 days
Format: Two groups and top two in semi finals
Clothing: White clothing and red balls
Overs per inning: 60
Field restrictions: No
Biggest change in format: No change
Highest score: 286/9 by West Indies against England in the final
Lowest team score: 45 by Canada against England in Group A
Unforgettable moment: A great knock of 138 by Vivian Richards in the final at Lord's


1983 World Cup


Winner: India
No. of teams: 8
Tournament duration: 17 days
Format: Two groups and top two in semi finals
Clothing: White clothing and red balls
Overs per inning: 60
Field restrictions: 30-yard circle introduced in cricket for the first time. Minimum of 4 fielders inside it throughout the innings
Biggest change in format: Introduction of 30-yard circle
Highest score: 338/5 by Pakistan against Sri Lanka in Group A
Lowest team score: 136 by Sri Lanka against England in Group A
Unforgettable moment: India beating the tournament favourite West Indies in a dramatic final at Lord's


1987 World Cup



Winner: Australia
No. of teams: 8
Tournament duration: 31 days
Format: Two groups and top two in semi finals
Clothing: White clothing and red balls
Overs per inning: 50
Field restrictions: Yes. 30-yard circle
Biggest change in format: Reduction in number of overs from 60 to 50 plus introduction of neutral umpire concept
Highest score: 360/4 by West Indies against Sri Lanka in Group B
Lowest team score: 135 by Zimbabwe against India in Group A


1992 World Cup



Winner: Pakistan
No. of teams: 9
Tournament duration: 32 days
Format: Round robin. All teams played each other once and top four went through to the semi finals
Clothing: Coloured clothing and white balls
Overs per inning: 50
Field restrictions: Only 2 fielders allowed outside 30-yard circle in the first 15 overs
Biggest change in format: Day-night matches. Coloured clothing and white balls
Highest score: 313/7 by Sri Lanka against Zimbabwe
Lowest team score: 74 by Pakistan against England
Unforgettable moment: South Africa rejoining mainstream cricket after the end of apartheid


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