Lloyd put West Indies on the right track by AFP

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Event:

ICC World Cup 2006/07

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DateLine: 23rd February 2007

 

When Clive Lloyd lifted the inaugural World Cup in 1975 in England, he was just a few years away from making the West Indies undisputed masters of the game in international cricket.

 

The captain was the most prominent player of the first edition as he not only led from the front but also played a big role in the final with a century against Australia.

 

Lloyd batted in only three of the five matches, which only underlined the strength of his side which played consistent cricket throughout the tournament to emerge deserving winners.

 

He proved his mettle with two crucial innings, scoring a half-century against Pakistan in a nailbiting group match at Edgbaston and a classy hundred in the final at Lord's.

 

Lloyd was to reveal later that both the victories richly contributed to making his side a force to reckon with in coming years.

 

"(The win against Pakistan) helped to erase the age-old feeling that the West Indies were no good fighting from behind," he said after his team snatched a one-wicket win from the jaws of defeat.

 

The victory against Australia came at a time when the West Indies cricketers needed it most.

 

"I was fortunate enough to enjoy a lot of successful times with the West Indies, but winning the first World Cup stands out as a special achievement," he said.

 

"It meant so much for our cricket and fans. Suddenly we were the world champions and that considerably improved our bargaining power when it came to negotiating tours."

 

Lloyd had the fortune of leading a talented side having the experience of playing in English conditions. He only had to mould them into a fighting unit, which he did successfully.

 

Andy Roberts spearheaded a sharp pace attack, with Keith Boyce, Vanburn Holder, Bernard Julien and the captain himself playing excellent roles. Lloyd's stress on an all-pace attack was to make his side a major force.

 

The West Indies had exciting stroke-players, starting with Roy Fredericks who stepped on to his stumps in the final while hooking Australian paceman Dennis Lillee for what would have been a memorable six.

 

Alvin Kallicharran, Viv Richards and Rohan Kanhai were the other batsmen capable of dominating any attack, while Deryck Murray and Julien chipped in useful runs down the order.

 

Barring England, no other team had as many players plying their trade in English conditions as the West Indies and this turned out to be a major factor in their success.

 

But the success brought little joy for Lloyd's men.

 

"I was more than a little disappointed at the (West Indies) board's response - or lack of it - to our success," said Lloyd.

 

"The team members never received any recognition from the board, apart from the agreed fee of 350 pounds, and this left a somewhat bitter feeling."

 

Lloyd retired in 1985 as the most successful West Indies Test captain, with 7,515 runs in 110 matches with 19 centuries. He also served as an International Cricket Council match-referee.

(Article: Copyright © 2007 AFP)