'Warm up Test (Quiz) ' on the day WC commences !

1) What was the venue of the Inaugural WC in 1975 ? How Gavaskar became famous in the wrong way in this First WC ?

2) Outline the format of WC? (like how many overs, colour of the ball, etc...?)

3) Who captioned the winning team in the first WC and what was his outstanding contribution?

4) What was the change introduced in the 1983 WC format? Which Team spoiled the possible hatrick win in WC by West Indies ? What was the venue in 1983?

5) Who was the man of the match in 1983 Final and what was his contribution?

6) What change was introduced in the number of overs in the 4th WC in 1987 ? Which two countries sponsored the event ? Which Team won the cup for the first time ?

7) What were the changes introduced in 1992 WC ? Name the winner and runner up in 1992 Cup ?

8) Eden Gardens became infamous as a venue in 1996 - why ? Where was the final held who won the cup?

9) In the 7th WC in 1999 'Super-6' format was introduced and most of the matches took place in England. How Super-6 concept helped Australia to march into finals beating South Africa ?

10) What was the feat Sachin held in 2003 WC ? Which Team won in the finals against India and what was great about that (winning event)

11) 2007 WC, the 9th one, saw 16 teams as participants and the first two teams of the four marched into the 'Super-8'. Where this was held for the first time ? Bob Wolmar was found dead in the Hotel - What was the verdict of the Jamaican Police about his death?

12) The 10th WC takes place in India. India is in Group B of 7 while Australia who is in Group A of 7 is contesting to win the cup for the 5th time. India enters as a hot favourite. What is your view though there is a general opinion that the 10th WC is wide open.

The question No.12 is what is the cost of the World Cup? What amount the winning Team gets? How much for the runner-up? Which Team holds the record for maximum runs scored? Who holds the record for most runs? Who holds record for most hundreds and most wickets? Who holds the record for the highest Score? How many days the 10th WC last and where and when the final takes place?

Do you like to know whether your score is thrills to a centum or stops with a half century or with only some sixes and fours. In other words how you have scored in this FINAL? See for yourself please. Thank you for your valued participation or partnership in the Game of Cricket.

pn




ANSWERS:-

1) First WC's venue was England. Gavaskar played a very slow game hitting 36 runs only in 174 balls though remained not out.India lost to England by 202 runs. England scored 334 to a partly score of 132 by I. Dennis Amis scored the first 100 for England in the history of World Cup.

2) Format:- 60 overs, palayers in Traditional White Uniform, Red Ball, Game in Day only.

3) Clive Lloyd - captain of the winning West Indies Team in the first WC. At Lords Lloyd hit 102 runs in 85 balls, 12-4s, 2-6s; and clean bowled Australia's star batsman Dough Walters and won the man of the match award. Australia lost to WI by 17 runs in the first final.

4) The participating Teams were divided into two teams and league system was introduced. Each Team played twice against the others. Kapil's Devil India made history on 25-06-1983 by winning the World Cup in 1983 (183runs), thus spoiling the hatrick chance to West Indies by 43 runs. The venue England.

5) Mohinder amarnath was the Man of the Match contributing 26 runs out of India's Total 183, and took 3 wkts.

6) India and Pakistan were the sponsors of the 1987 WC. 60 overs format was brought down to 50 overs. Alan Border's Australian 11 won the cup for the first time beating England at Eden Gardens in Calcutta by 7 runs.

7) The changes in the format:- (1) Players had the option to wear colour uniform instead of the traditional White. White Balls came into being in the place of red. The matches had Day and Night schedules instead of Days only. South Africa came out of its ban of 21 years and participated for the first time in WC. The Winner of 1992 Cup was Imran's Pakistan. Runner up was South Africa. South Africa was to make 22 runs in 13 balls but rains spoilt its bid and by Dough's short method SA were to score 21 runs in 1 ball and lost miserably.

8) India encountered Sri Lanka in 1996 semis. in Eden Gardens. Sachin gave a flying start but the suceeding batsmen failed giving room to unrest in the midst of one lakh of spectators . The spectators behaved violently and the game grinded to dead stop. Sri Lanka was declared the Winner.The final was held in Lahore, pakistan. Sri Lanka won the Cup beating Aussies by 7 wkts.

9) Australia vs South Africa match ended in a historic Tie (213 runs each) in 1999 Semifinal.
But in the Super 6 league Australia was adjusted to have had a better run rate and thus the Super 6 league helped Australia to enter the final. It also won the cup at Lords beating Pak.by 8 wkts.

10) Sachin took India upto the finals in 2003. In 11 matches, Sachin scored 100 once, 50s-6times, total 673 runs, averaging 61.88, thus creating a record for maximum runs in 2003 Series. He won the man of the Series award also. australia beat India in 2003 finals and thus the event proved great to Australia as they won the cup for the third time in continuity - a hatrick.

11) The world Cup took place in West Indies for the first time in 2007. Suspense shrouded Bob Wolmer's death in a hotel room. The Jamaican police who held investigations anounced its judgement that it was a natural death and put a full stop.

12) 14 Nations and One Cup - Total Prize:-Rs.46 Crores. Winner takes: Rs.14crores, Runnerup - Rs.7Crores. India holds the higest total : 413/5; Most Runs by Tendulkar: 1796 runs, 57.93 ave.; Highest score: G.Kristen(sa):188not out.; Most Wkts: 71 in 39 matches, Best Bowling McGrath 9 (aus) 7/15 versus Nambia, Most Hundreds Ganguly 4 in 21 matches. Best Wicket Keeper GGilchrist, Most Catches Ponting.

10th WC duration: 43 days, 49 Matches, April 2 will be the final in Wankede stadium Mumbai. 'Stumpy' an elephant cartoon is the officiating symbol of 2011 World Cup which is 7 years old and is believed to be very fond of Cricket.

Now the suspense starts and may keep many fingers crossed ! Let's hope for the best!

pn