Perth: The iconic Clive Lloyd, who doesn't really need an introduction, spoke to The Telegraph at the Waca on Thursday.
Lloyd, the West Indies' chief selector, is now 70.
Excerpts...
Q Forty years down the line, how do you reflect on the very first World Cup and the West Indies' win?
A Those were exciting days, wonderful days... Cricket in the Caribbean changed after that. I hope those days come back soon.
How did you and your team approach the inaugural World Cup?
Quite a few of us had played the limited overs game at the County level and, so, had a fair idea of how to go about the World Cup.
Did the West Indies start as the favourites?
No. England, Australia, Pakistan and even New Zealand had good teams. We were regarded as being good, but weren't the favourites.
How did the West Indies' matches go?
We had a close match against Pakistan and beating them, at Edgbaston, gave us enormous confidence.
What were your thoughts on the eve of the final, against Australia?
We were excited... We were exuberant... I had a good partnership with Rohan Kanhai and we posted a very good total --- 291... In those days, that was regarded as intimidating... We were able to restrict Australia and won a close final. Actually, we ended up winning all the matches.
[MoM Lloyd scored 102, while Kanhai got 55. The West Indies won by 17 runs.]
How did that win change cricket in the West Indies?
It was a huge moment... In those days, we were pretty down the ladder where finances were concerned and the win, I understand, helped the Board get out of the red... Then, we could begin commanding a fee on tours, for we were the world champions. There was, then, a significant financial angle... At the end of the day, winning the first World Cup gave the West Indies a lot more respect.
The respect bit must have meant the most...
Absolutely.
What did that win teach the players?
The importance of gelling and playing like a team.
In 1979, the West Indies must have been the favourites...
Yeah, we were... Quite a few of the players of 1975 were still there and we had some very good first-time players, like Desmond Haynes, Michael Holding and Joel Garner.
Just how much of planning was there?
Oh, we did plan. Of course, we didn't have the benefit of technology, so couldn't programme things. But it's not that we ever took the field without a strategy.
Like in 1975, the West Indies didn't lose a match...
Indeed, though the match against Sri Lanka was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
As captain, did you approach the 1979 World Cup any differently?
Not really. We wanted to win and winning is a nice habit to have. You'd rather be winning than not be winning. It was in 1983 that we lost two matches (including the final), both to India. Till then, we had an incredible World Cup record.
What do you remember of the 1979 final?
We faced England and England's players had the experience of quite a few limited overs matches. We weren't pushed, though, and won by 92 runs. Viv (Sir Vivian Richards) had a great hundred --- 138 not out.
You've left such a rich legacy... It's inspirational stuff...
It's not for me to dwell on what my players and I did. But, yes, we ensured that we got respect.
Does losing to India in the 1983 final still hurt?
India had beaten us twice that year, before the final, including once in the West Indies (Berbice)... Despite that, we got complacent and paid the price. Having said that, India had been playing well. On the day it mattered, we weren't up to it and couldn't get to the target of 184.
[The West Indies, in fact, were bowled out for 140.]
Cricket in India went to another level after that 1983 win...
Yes, I'm aware of that and good for India... There have been periods when you have dominated the limited overs game... You have won another World Cup. Well, credit to Kapil Dev and his men for doing what they did.
Ricky Ponting has emulated your feat of winning two World Cups. Could Mahendra Singh Dhoni join the two of you in that most exclusive of clubs?
India have a very good team, so it's possible. India's advantage is that most of their players have spent over three months in Australia and are absolutely familiar with the conditions... They're the defending champions.
Jason Holder is new to the captaincy. What have you been telling him?
Letting him know the finer points of captaincy. Jason's a bright guy, an intelligent guy. Should the West Indies do well in this World Cup, he could be there for a long time. Remember, he's young (23).
How should captains approach a World Cup?
To start with, they've got to have the desire to win it. That urge, that desperation... That must be there.
Your advice?
Captains must be innovative and aggressive. They've also got to get their players all on the same page... Got to have the respect of their players.
The West Indies' priority...
To qualify for the knockout stage.
What's the No.1 reason for the West Indies' inconsistency?
Perhaps, we haven't harnessed our talent well. We have many raw players... Also, nowadays, hardly anybody plays County cricket. In our time, almost all of us did and gained. Exposure over a period of time, exposure to different conditions is needed.
Is there pressure associated with your latest role - chairman of selectors?
Yes... You can't please everybody. However, that shouldn't stop you from doing what you should be doing.
You made a big call by dropping Dwayne Bravo and Keiron Pollard...
That's over with and I wouldn't like to talk about it. We've picked the best team.
Limited overs cricket has seen many changes from the first World Cup. Your take?
You have to get used to the changes in rules... Have to move on. I don't like short boundaries... The boundaries shouldn't be pulled in.
Are you still an advisor to the government of Guyana?
To the President, on matters related to sport.
The final one... You've worn so many hats...
( Laughs) You're right... The only hat I haven't worn is that of a President or Prime Minister.
