When a rain ruined Test between Australia and England in 1971 that resulted in the first one-day international at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The first one-dayer was not a pre-planned affair as it was arranged on the last scheduled day of the rain-hit Test to appease the public. It was an instant success, attracting nearly 46,000 spectators at the MCG. It was a 40-overs-a-side match with eight balls in an over and played more like Test cricket.

Ray Illingworth’s England were all out for 190 after being put in to bat, with John Edrich top-scoring with 82 off 119 balls. Australia never looked in trouble, riding on Ian Chappell’s half-century to win by five wickets. The authorities were slow to wake up to the possibility of the new format as only 18 ODIs were played before the World Cup made its debut in England in 1975 with eight teams.

The first World Cup in England was different as white balls, coloured clothing, black sight-screens, day-night matches and TV viewership were unheard of. The West Indies had their date with destiny sealed when they lifted the Cup on June 21.

The 60-overs-a-side final at Lord’s was a close, tense match with fortunes fluctuating till the end before Australia (274) fell 17 runs short of the West Indies’ total (291-8).

Put in to bat, the West Indies began on a sensational note when opener Roy Fredericks hooked paceman Dennis Lillee for a six, but started returning to the pavilion. It took a while to realise he had stepped on to his stumps. The West Indies were struggling at 50-3 before skipper Clive Lloyd restored his team’s fortunes with a 85-ball 102. He put on 149 for the fourth wicket with Rohan Kanhai (55).

Australian captain Ian Chappell scored an impressive half-century, but the asking-rate kept climbing. The run-outs kept Australia pushing back. The West Indies had virtually wrapped up the game when they reduced their opponents to 233-9.