Almanac Book Reviews: ‘Cricket World Cup: A Celebration of the ODI and T20 Games’ by Liam Hauser

 

 

 

Cricket World Cup: A Celebration of the ODI and T20 Games
by Liam Hauser
Gelding Street Press 2025
RRP $49.99

 

Review by Barry Nicholls

 

Growing up as a sports fan in the 1970s, I witnessed the start of limited-overs international cricket. But even as a passionate young supporter, I hardly paid attention to what’s now generally considered the first one-day international— between Australia and England at the MCG (there was also a less well-known match between Australia and South Africa during their 1970 tour).

 

On January 5, 1971, a crowd of 46,000 people helped boost the Australian Board of Control’s coffers after the Melbourne Test was washed out. The game was more of a novelty than a serious contest, played over 40 overs per side with tactics similar to any other match, but in a shorter format.

 

When Australia toured England in 1972, three one-day games were played at the end of the five-Test series. Ian Chappell, in his book Tigers among the Lions called these encounters ‘One-day Tests’ and described them as very ‘light-hearted affairs,’ showing how the players viewed these clashes.

 

Australia toured New Zealand in 1974 and played two limited-overs internationals. Still, the real breakthrough in the new format came the following year with the inaugural Men’s World Cup (the first Women’s World Championship was held in England in 1973). The 1975 tournament acted as a warm-up to a strangely scheduled four-Test Ashes series and got off to a slow start.

 

Sunil Gavaskar scored an unbeaten 36 from 60 overs in the opening match against England at Lord’s, drawing criticism for his slow batting and inability to chase the host team’s total.

 

Most of the early reports on the Australians’ progress centred on Jeff Thomson’s no-balls and his active social life, which overshadowed the cricket. Nonetheless, interest at home in the World Cup started to grow.

 

The sight of the small West Indian Alvin Kallicharran hooking and pulling Dennis Lillee over the mid-wicket boundary at the Oval added to the excitement in a match marking Australia’s first loss of the tournament. Then Gary Gilmour’s swinging 6 for 14 in the semi-final against England at Leeds attracted everyone’s attention.

 

The final was a memorable event, held in the middle of summer before a packed crowd at Lord’s. The game was broadcast live into Australian homes, mainly watched on black-and-white TVs (colour television was officially launched in Australia in March that year). The sights and sounds of the crowd, including many West Indian supporters banging drums and blowing horns, added to the atmosphere. Clive Lloyd’s remarkable century and Australia’s ultimately unsuccessful run chase made it one of the longest days in cricket history, ending at twilight with Jeff Thomson’s run out.

 

Details of this inaugural World Cup and all subsequent events involving one-day and T20 cricket are thoroughly described in Liam Hauser’s Cricket World Cup: A celebration of the ODI and T20 games. It provides a comprehensive view of how the game’s formats have developed. The book offers all you need to know, highlighting key matches and performances in a beautifully presented manner.

 

Cricket World Cup is comprehensive and should appeal to all cricket fans, especially younger supporters who follow T20 matches closely. Hauser effectively highlights the most memorable games and vividly describes them. The book also features a range of photos and statistical tables—perfect for flicking through during innings breaks or unexpected pauses in the game.

 

Finally, an oral history with key participants could also one day provide valuable insights into this period of international cricket.

 

Editor’s note – Liam’s book is available at all good bookstores, online and direct from the publisher HERE.

 

 

Barry Nicholls is ‘on tour’ in South Australia next week. You can hear him speak at:

 

Nov 4   State Library of SA
More info:  https://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/events/tuesday-talks-books-my-life-barry-nicholls

 

Nov 5   ASSH
Details and RSVP: Bernard Whimpress       [email protected]

 

Nov 6   Payneham CC
Details and RSVP: Malcolm Ashwood          [email protected]

 

You can read more from Barry Nicholls Here

 

 

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