Cricket West Indies (CWI) will pay tribute to a defining moment in Caribbean sporting history with a special celebration marking the 50th anniversary of the West Indies’ 1975 Prudential World Cup victory—a triumph that laid the foundation for decades of regional cricketing greatness.
The commemorative event is scheduled to take place in Barbados on the eve of the upcoming first Test match against Australia, set for later this summer. The event will honour the surviving members of the 1975 squad who famously lifted the inaugural Cricket World Cup trophy at Lord’s, defeating Australia in a pulsating final by 17 runs under the leadership of the great Sir Clive Lloyd.
Announcing the plans during a press conference on Monday, CWI President Dr. Kishore Shallow said the event was nearing final confirmation and would be a central highlight on the organization’s 2025 calendar.
“This year we celebrate our 50th anniversary of the first World Cup success we had in 1975,” Dr. Shallow said. “We are in advanced planning stages… just a few things left to finalize. It will be a key feature of our annual calendar.”
He continued, “We have some 12 of those legends still alive, and we are going to celebrate their success at an event hosted in Barbados. That is another fantastic event for us to look forward to this year, along with all the home series.”
The West Indies’ 1975 World Cup win remains a cornerstone of regional cricket pride. Led by Lloyd’s commanding century in the final and backed by Keith Boyce’s four-wicket haul and a formidable squad that included greats such as Andy Roberts, Gordon Greenidge, and Alvin Kallicharran, the team announced the Caribbean’s arrival as a global cricket powerhouse.
That landmark achievement not only brought glory to the region but ignited a golden era of West Indies dominance that spanned more than a decade, including back-to-back World Cup finals victories and numerous Test series triumphs.
The planned celebration in Barbados will serve as a tribute to the legacy of those pioneers and a reflection of their enduring impact on generations of Caribbean players and fans. It will also coincide with the West Indies’ ongoing efforts to rejuvenate its cricketing identity, both on and off the field.
The 50th anniversary commemoration forms part of a wider series of CWI events in 2025, which includes a packed home season, continued governance reform, and commercial partnerships aimed at strengthening the foundation of West Indies cricket for the future.