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The cricket World Cup has evolved, changing with times and needs. Even while growing as the premier one-day competition, it has often reinvented itself. Consequently, the dynamics of a contest were impacted.
For instance, an innings comprised 60 overs in the first three World Cups – 1975, '79 and '83. All the three editions were played in the English summer where the days were long. Yet, given the vagaries of weather, several matches spilled over to the second day.
The pacing of an innings was different in a 60-over innings; with the ball swinging in the English conditions, wickets had to be preserved. And the fields were a lot more attacking, particularly early in the innings.
Each bowler could send down a maximum of 12 overs, giving him more space to showcase his skills. On the flip side, it was harder for the captain to hide a weak link in the attack as England's celebrated Mike Brearley discovered in the '79 final against the West Indies; the host blundered by entering the summit clash without a fifth specialist bowler.
And there were no field restrictions vis a vis the circle in '75 and '79. It was only in '83, when Kapil's Devils triumphed, that it became mandatory to have four fielders in the 30-yard inner ring during all stages of the innings.
The World Cup witnessed a significant shift in the '87 event, jointly hosted by India and Pakistan. The overs were reduced to 50 per innings. In a more compressed format, the matches gained in speed and tempo. The concept of neutral umpires was also introduced.
In the first four editions, the matches were played in whites with the traditional red ball. Under the circumstances, the 1992 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand was a path-breaking event.
Day/night games
The day/night matches made their entry which meant coloured clothing and white ball came into play.
It was believed that it would be easier for the cricketers to spot the white sphere under the lights.
The white ball was glossier compared to the red one which had a more leathery finish.
The white ball also felt lighter in hand and several leading pacemen were of the opinion that it swung more, especially early in the innings.
Since the white ball could also deteriorate quicker by picking up dirt, the authorities decided to use two balls in an innings for the '92 event.
There was a new ball from either end and the batsmen faced a severe test all through the innings while coping with balls that retained their hardness. The pacemen achieved swing, seam and bounce.
For the first time, field restrictions in the early phase of the innings came into force. Only two fielders were allowed outside the 30-yard circle in the first 15 overs.
Teams eyed these overs differently. The top order batsmen, turning more adventurous, pierced the in-field or went over the top. New Zealand's Mark Greatbatch encapsulated the new approach. The concept of hitting out only in the slog overs was old theory now.
The 1992 edition had the fairest format with all teams playing each other once before the semifinals. The field was smaller but a lot more competitive. With the format undiluted there were hardly insignificant matches.
However, the rain rule for the tournament came in for harsh criticism after the England-South Africa semifinal saw a farcical finish. The ‘Best Scoring Overs' rule meant South Africa needed 21 runs off one ball. Actually, when inclement weather halted proceedings, South Africa required 22 runs from 13 balls.
D/L method
The more acceptable Duckworth and Lewis method became a part of the tournament in the 1996 World Cup held in the subcontinent. For the first time, the quarterfinals were introduced. Importantly, the standing umpires could now refer a decision to the third umpire for line decisions. The footage from television had become an integral part of the tournament. And only one ball was used in an innings.
Subsequently, the biggest change in the World Cup format has been the formation of the Super Six and the Super Eight stages. The competition expanded to include more teams. The 2007 edition in the Caribbean saw the introduction of Power Play overs. Teams had to rethink tactics.
In the 2011 edition, the quarterfinals will be back. The Umpire Decision Review System will be employed for the first time and the Super Over will decide tied matches in the knock-out phase. Indeed, the World Cup continues to evolve.
For instance, an innings comprised 60 overs in the first three World Cups – 1975, '79 and '83. All the three editions were played in the English summer where the days were long. Yet, given the vagaries of weather, several matches spilled over to the second day.
The pacing of an innings was different in a 60-over innings; with the ball swinging in the English conditions, wickets had to be preserved. And the fields were a lot more attacking, particularly early in the innings.
Each bowler could send down a maximum of 12 overs, giving him more space to showcase his skills. On the flip side, it was harder for the captain to hide a weak link in the attack as England's celebrated Mike Brearley discovered in the '79 final against the West Indies; the host blundered by entering the summit clash without a fifth specialist bowler.
And there were no field restrictions vis a vis the circle in '75 and '79. It was only in '83, when Kapil's Devils triumphed, that it became mandatory to have four fielders in the 30-yard inner ring during all stages of the innings.
The World Cup witnessed a significant shift in the '87 event, jointly hosted by India and Pakistan. The overs were reduced to 50 per innings. In a more compressed format, the matches gained in speed and tempo. The concept of neutral umpires was also introduced.
In the first four editions, the matches were played in whites with the traditional red ball. Under the circumstances, the 1992 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand was a path-breaking event.
Day/night games
The day/night matches made their entry which meant coloured clothing and white ball came into play.
It was believed that it would be easier for the cricketers to spot the white sphere under the lights.
The white ball was glossier compared to the red one which had a more leathery finish.
The white ball also felt lighter in hand and several leading pacemen were of the opinion that it swung more, especially early in the innings.
Since the white ball could also deteriorate quicker by picking up dirt, the authorities decided to use two balls in an innings for the '92 event.
There was a new ball from either end and the batsmen faced a severe test all through the innings while coping with balls that retained their hardness. The pacemen achieved swing, seam and bounce.
For the first time, field restrictions in the early phase of the innings came into force. Only two fielders were allowed outside the 30-yard circle in the first 15 overs.
Teams eyed these overs differently. The top order batsmen, turning more adventurous, pierced the in-field or went over the top. New Zealand's Mark Greatbatch encapsulated the new approach. The concept of hitting out only in the slog overs was old theory now.
The 1992 edition had the fairest format with all teams playing each other once before the semifinals. The field was smaller but a lot more competitive. With the format undiluted there were hardly insignificant matches.
However, the rain rule for the tournament came in for harsh criticism after the England-South Africa semifinal saw a farcical finish. The ‘Best Scoring Overs' rule meant South Africa needed 21 runs off one ball. Actually, when inclement weather halted proceedings, South Africa required 22 runs from 13 balls.
D/L method
The more acceptable Duckworth and Lewis method became a part of the tournament in the 1996 World Cup held in the subcontinent. For the first time, the quarterfinals were introduced. Importantly, the standing umpires could now refer a decision to the third umpire for line decisions. The footage from television had become an integral part of the tournament. And only one ball was used in an innings.
Subsequently, the biggest change in the World Cup format has been the formation of the Super Six and the Super Eight stages. The competition expanded to include more teams. The 2007 edition in the Caribbean saw the introduction of Power Play overs. Teams had to rethink tactics.
In the 2011 edition, the quarterfinals will be back. The Umpire Decision Review System will be employed for the first time and the Super Over will decide tied matches in the knock-out phase. Indeed, the World Cup continues to evolve.