England hosted the first three World Cup tournaments, but it
has since been shared between test playing nations; often co-hosted by
geographical neighbours.  Australia
remains the most successful team in the history of the World Cup, winning on
four occasions.  England have hosted or
co-hosted the event on four occasions, but are yet to taste victory.

England staged the first World Cup in 1975, which featured
eight teams.  By 1979, a secondary
tournament was played between teams that did not figure in test cricket, with
the best second tier teams gaining entry into the World Cup.  It has remained a feature of the World Cup,
and has seen teams from Scotland, Afghanistan, Kenya, the United Arab Emirates,
Canada and others compete with the lies of Australia, England, West Indies, Pakistan,
India, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and South Africa.  Zimbabwe and Bangladesh became test playing
nations after first competing in the qualifying stages of the World Cup.

A History of the Cricket World Cup tells the story of Cricket’s
World Cup, which began in 1975.  The
first tournament was staged just four years after the first One Day
International match was played between Australia and England to appease crowds
after a test match was ruined due to inclement weather.  The tournament is played every four years,
and is one of the most prestigious trophies in international cricket.

Relive every game of every tournament in A History of the Cricket World Cup.  Featuring match results and statistical
information, this is a must for cricket fans everywhere.