Hosts England were just a step away to win the 1979 World Cup and only had West standing Indies between them and the podium.

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In the final, things started according to the hopes of home fans as West Indies lost their opening duo of Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes early while Alvin Kallicharan and skipper Clive Lloyd also perished without doing significant damage.

But England received a dent on their hopes when Sir Vivian Richards scored an unbeaten century to take his team to a respectable total of 286 for nine in 60 overs.

Viv struck 11 boundaries and three sixes in his 157-ball bravado and was involved in a 239-run fifth-wicket stand with Collis King, who made a 66-ball 85 studded with three sixes and 10 strikes to the fence.

The damage had already been because the target of 287 was too much against the deadly bowling attack of Michael Holding, Joel Garner, Andy Roberts and company.

England got all out for 194 with nine overs left as Garner — the big bird — picking up a five-wicket haul.

Interestingly, England lost lost their last eight wickets for just 11 runs as they fall from 183 for two to 194 all out.

Viv made the first century in a World Cup final and took the game away from England because had he got out without hitting his 11 boundaries and three sixes, England would have cruised to a world cup title at Lord's.

SPORT360's CRICKET WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN

– 10 days to go: Chris Old's record still new 
– 11 days to go: Viv Richards wins it for West Indies
– 12 days to go: The support from outside the rope
– 13 days to go: O'Brien storm blows England away
– 14 days to go: Arvinda de Silva in world of his own
– 15 days to go: Australia bamboozle the Namibians
– 16 days to go: New format catches out India, Pakistan
– 17 days to go: Madan Lal’s 17 wickets help India to triumph
– 18 days to go: Dennis delight at first World Cup century
– 19 days to go: Economical Imran Khan of Pakistan
– 20 days to go: Bichel cleans up against England
– 21 days to go: Sachin Tendulkar the runs machine
– 22 days to go: The unwanted record of Nathan Astle
– 23 days to go: Nehra rattles England in South Africa
– 24 days to go: The great Kapil Dev's strike rate for India
– 25 days to go: Australia's Invincibles dominate for eight
– 26 days to go: Glenn McGrath's wicket-taking exploits
– 27 days to go: Zaheer Khan's striking ability
– 28 days to go: Herschelle Gibbs just loves sixes
– 29 days to go: Australia's 29-ball haul destroys India