The inaugural World Cup competition was held in 1975, with just eight teams competing; the six major Test nations of the day, plus Sri Lanka and East Africa.
Prudential Assurance sponsored the event and the tournament logo was a red cricket ball being used to represent a classic globe of the world.
The event was also marketed with the use of a ‘Disney-type’ Jiminy Cricket caricature.
Trent Bridge was allocated two matches, both at the group stage, with warm sunshine and a full house greeting the new event.
England opened the tournament with an extraordinary victory over India at Lord’s, which saw the hosts make 334-4 and then limit India to 132-3.
Matches were of 60 overs per side and very few games of that length had been played at international level by then.
India’s outstanding opening batsman Sunil Gavaskar batted throughout his side’s entire 60 overs reaching 36 not out, from 174 balls. He hit one boundary during his marathon stay.
The hosts then arrived in Nottingham for a fixture against New Zealand, a contest that was viewed as being the one to determine the finishing order in the group.
New Zealand had swept aside East Africa in their opening match, with Glenn Turner hitting 171.
The Black Caps won the toss in Nottingham on 11 June 1975 and opted to field. Thanks to an innings of 131 by Essex’s Keith Fletcher, England made 266-8.
Included in the visiting line-up were three brothers, Barry, Dayle and Richard (later Sir Richard, of course) Hadlee.
Amongst their bowling unit was also Brian McKechnie, who went on to become a dual-international, representing the All Blacks in 10 rugby union Tests.
John Lever removed the dangerous Turner early in the run chase and only John Morrison, with 55, offered any significant resistance as the New Zealand innings folded for 186. Tony Greig took four for 45.
Both sides went on to reach the semi-finals, where England lost to Australia and New Zealand went down to eventual winners, the West Indies.
The second match Trent Bridge hosted in 1975 was something of a dead rubber.
By 14 June, Pakistan and Sri Lanka had both been eliminated after losing their matches against Australia and the West Indies.
Pakistan put on a show against the inexperienced Sri Lankans, making 330-6.
Three top order batsmen, all used to playing limited-overs matches in county cricket, made the most of the occasion.
Gloucestershire’s Zaheer Abbas hit 97, his county teammate Sadiq Mohammed scored 74 and Pakistan’s captain, Majid Khan of Glamorgan, hit 84.
Sri Lanka were no match for the powerful Pakistan pace attack and were bowled out for only 138 with Imran Khan taking three for 15.
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A Notts Outlaws squad brimming with international talent will commence their T20 Vitality Blast campaign against Worcestershire Rapids at Trent Bridge on Thursday 1 July, with adult tickets priced at £10. Secure your seats…