The Cricket World Cup was once a far-smaller, protected and demure animal than the rampant commercial beast we know it as today. The first three World Cups – in 1975, 1979 and 1983 – were all hosted by England, with the first three finals being played at Lord’s. The qualifying events for the 1979 and 1983 World Cups were also played in England. It was the home of cricket, after all, and cricket needed to stay put. If it didn’t stay at home, it might be carried, well, you know, away, watered down by tropical flavours and un-cricket-like attitudes. Moral codes might be stretched. Weird and wonderful things might happen. It might struggle in the equatorial sun.Get full written episodes of the show a day early on Substack.Check out The Luke Alfred Show on: Facebook YouTube