w0EGQrvn9bj When a rain-ruined Test between Australia and England in 1971 resulted in the first one-day international at Melbourne, few believed that this new form of cricket would become a global, money-spinning affair

The first one-dayer was not a pre-planned affair as it was arranged on the last scheduled day of the rain-hit Test to appease the public

It was an instant success, attracting nearly 46,000 spectators to the MCG

It was a 40-overs-a-side match with eight balls in an over and played more like Test cricket because one-day specialists, like Australian Michael Bevan, were to arrive decades later

It was just a coincidence that the game was played between the same opponents at the same venue where Test cricket began

The winners were also the same - Australia

Ray Illingworth's England were all out for 190 after being put in to bat, with John Edrich top-scoring with 82 off 119 balls with just four fours

Australia never looked in trouble, riding on Ian Chappell's half-century to win by five wickets

His brother and India's current coach, Greg, remained unbeaten with 22

The authorities, however, were slow to wake up to the possibility of the new format as only 18 one-day internationals were played before the World Cup made its debut in England in 1975 with eight teams

It is something unthinkable in the modern marketing era when one-dayers are everywhere and attract a global television audience

The authorities now just look for an opportunity to hold a one-day series, thanks to sponsorship and spectators' response

Players do complain about the taxing schedules, but the caravan just rolls on

The first World Cup was different as white balls, coloured clothing, black sightscreens, day-night matches and worldwide television viewership were unheard of

England enjoyed one of their best summers in years as none of the 15 games was ruined by rain, while the West Indies had their date with destiny sealed when they lifted the Cup on the longest day -- June 21

The 60-overs-a-side final, at a packed Lord's, was also one of the longest, starting at 11 in the morning and finishing at 20:42 in the evening when Australian tail-ender Jeff Thomson was run out trying to steal a bye

It was the best advertisement for one-day cricket

It was a close, tense match with fortunes fluctuating till the end before Australia (274) fell 17 runs short of the West Indies' total (291-8)

Viv Richards was the first to stress the significance of fielding in the shorter version of the game, bringing off three of the five run-outs in the Australian innings

Teams were to give special attention to this aspect in coming decades, with South African Jonty Rhodes taking fielding to a new high

Put in to bat, the West Indies began on a sensational note when opener Roy Fredericks hooked paceman Dennis Lillee for a six, but started returning to the pavilion

It took a while to realise he had stepped on to his stumps

The West Indies were struggling at 50-3 before skipper Clive Lloyd restored his team's fortunes with a quickfire 85-ball 102

He put on 149 for the fourth wicket with veteran Rohan Kanhai (55) to help his team set a stiff target

Australian captain Ian Chappell scored an impressive half-century, but the asking-rate kept climbing

The run-outs kept Australia pushing back

The West Indies had virtually wrapped up the game when they reduced their opponents to 233-9

Thomson and Lillee then underlined the Australian resilience, adding 41 for the last wicket

The West Indies supporters also figured in the drama, once rushing on to the field in jubilation when Fredericks caught Lillee

They had to retreat soon as umpire Tom Spencer signalled it a no-ball

They did not have to wait long for the celebrations

The final still ranks as one of the best in the World Cup history, although the tournament has gone through many changes since then

Its appearance has changed as it is no longer played in whites

Tactics have developed as pinch-hitters have arrived following fielding restrictions and more batsmen are now willing to play unorthodox shots, like a reverse-sweep

One thing that has not changed is that excellence is still required to win matches