History of the ICC Cricket World Cup a composite team from East Africa. One notable omission was the South African cricket team who were not competing due to the international sports boycott. West Indies won the first Cricket World Cup by defeating Australia by 17 runs in the final. The next two World Cups held in 1979 and 1983 were again hosted by England. The 1979 Cricket World Cup saw the introduction of the ICC Trophy, a competition used to select non-Test playing teams for the World Cup. Sri Lanka and Canada qualified through the ICC Trophy in 1979. West Indies again won the World Cup tournament,
1996 Benson & Hedges Cup 1996 Benson & Hedges Cup The 1996 Benson & Hedges Cup was the twenty-fifth competing of cricket’s Benson & Hedges Cup. It was an English limited overs county cricket tournament which was held between 26 April and 13 July 1996. The competition was won by Lancashire County Cricket Club for a record fourth time, defeating Northamptonshire County Cricket Club by 31 runs in the final at Lord's on 13 July 1996. At the TCCB's winter meeting on 13 December 1995, it was agreed to reduce the format of the cup from 55 to 50 overs a side. Source: Source: Source: