India could upset in final

Press, 25 June 1983, Page 60

India could upset in final

NZPA London India, overcoming all the odds to reach the final, aim to humble the mighty West Indies again to prevent the holders winning the one-day World Cricket Cup for the third time tonight (N.Z. time). India made a mockery of its 40-1 outsider status with the bookmakers by beating the West Indies in its opening Cup match two weeks ago. No team had got the better of the masters of one-day cricket in the two previous World Cups in 1975 and 1979. West Indies returned to its irresistible best after that upset, quelling all opposition in its six subsequent matches, including an eightwicket victory over Pakistan in the semi-final. India produced its second surprise when it beat Australia to finish second behind West Indies in their qualifying group. It capped it with a six-wicket semifinal win over England. But the West Indies remain favourites to retain the trophy against India. The Indian captain, Kapil Dev, who rescued his side against Zimbabwe last week with a Cup-record 175 not out, is unperturbed by the prospect of the clash at

Lords. The West Indies captain, Clive Lloyd, who led his country in its first two victorious campaigns, hopes to be fully recovered from a groin strain which virtually reduced him to a spectator in the semi-final. The West Indies captain praised India. “They are a good side and playing very well. They have beaten some good teams to get there and good luck to them,” he said. India will certainly need luck if it is to do well against the four-man West Indies pace attack, which overwhelmed Pakistan in the semi-final. It will also have to find a way of curbing the brilliant Viv Richards, who hit an unbeaten 80 in the semifinal to add to his 119 against India and 95 not out against Australia. The West Indies are to offer its World Cup cricket squad three-year contracts in a bid to fight off the South African threat, the “Sun” has reported. The contracts will provide the players with security “although we cannot match the money South Africa can offer,” said the West Indies manager, Mr Steve Camacho.