5 Batters who scored individual hundred in inaugural men’s ODI World Cup in 1975
The first ever men’s ODI World Cup was played in the year 1975. It was a big step towards the expansion of the sport globally. Back in time, there were mostly 6-7 teams that used to play cricket regularly at the highest level like India, Pakistan, Australia, England, New Zealand, and West Indies. Just at the start of the 1970s, South Africa was banned from international cricket.
The maiden ODI World Cup was played between 8 teams. A total of 5 batters scored an individual hundred in the tournament, which was considered a sensational achievement in the format back then. One of these 5 batters scored two hundred in the same tournament. ODIs were not a regularly played format back then. Not everyone was familiar with the format back then.
ODIs used to be 60 overs per side in the maiden tournament. For the following two seasons, England hosted the tournament. 5 batters from 4 teams scored a hundred in the inaugural edition of the tournament. Batters from England, New Zealand, Australia, and the West Indies scored individual hundreds. Two different batters from England scored individual hundreds in the tournament.
Here are the batters who scored a hundred in the 1975 ODI World Cup:
5. Alan Turner
Alan Turner was the first and only Australian batter to score a hundred in the tournament. The Southpaw scored a fabulous hundred against Sri Lanka in the group stage match of the tournament. On a good batting surface at The Oval in London, Turner scored 101 runs in 113 balls, which included 9 fours and a six. The knock came at a good strike rate of 89.38. Australia posted 328 runs in their 60 overs. In turn, Sri Lanka managed to score 276 runs in their 60 overs. Australia won the match by 52 runs.
