1975 World Cup final: The Bird view

While umpire Bird keeps his watchful eye to the proceedings, we see Australia’s Gary Gilmour having just released the ball as the non-striker Viv Richards looks on.

A photographer from Central Press captures a moment where umpire Dickie Bird behind the wicket watches the action in the first ever World Cup final between West Indies and Australia at Lord’s in June 1975.

While umpire Bird keeps his watchful eye to the proceedings, we see Australia’s Gary Gilmour having just released the ball as the non-striker Viv Richards looks on. Gilmour was one of the heroes of the final; he continued his golden run with the ball that began in the semi-final against England.

Gilmour, who picked up six for 14 in the semi-final against England at Leeds, claimed five wickets for 48 runs against the strong West Indian batting line-up in the final. However, his efforts still fell short; as the team from Caribbean went on to win the encounter by 17 runs to lift the World Cup for the first time.