The first three editions of the Cricket World Cup were played in England and were played over 60 overs. There were eight teams in each of those World Cups, with six of them qualifying directly in 1975 and 1979 and seven teams in the 1983 tournament. The other teams made it through a qualifier.

West Indies won the 1975 and 1979 World Cup and looked favourites to beat India in the final of the 1983 but they went down in a hurry to the innocuous Indian medium-pacers.

The 1987 World Cup was brought to the sub-continent, with India and Pakistan playing hosts to the eight teams. The one difference in this tournament was that the games were a 50-over a side matches in the tournament because of the early reduction of the natural light. Australia and England were surprise finalist in the tournament, after two-time champions West Indies crashed out of the tournament in the first round and defending champions India losing in the semi-final. Australia beat England in a close final, to capture their first World Cup.

In 1992, the tournament was played in Australia and New Zealand, and Pakistan went on to capture their first World Cup, while the 1996 edition was back in the sub-continent. Sri Lanka became the third co-hosts and went on to become the first team to win the tournament as hosts, defeating Australia in the final.

England hosted the 1999 World Cup and Australia began their run of three success World Cup wins by defeating Pakistan in the final in a lopsided encounter. Then, in the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, they beat India in the final while overcoming Sri Lanka in the 2007 tournament in the West Indies.

India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh co-hosted the 2011 edition of the World Cup, with Pakistan been stripped of their hosting status because of the security issues. India became the second side after Sri Lanka to win a World Cup at home, defeating the 1996 champions in the final at the Wankhede Stadium.

The 2015 World Cup will be held down under, with Australia and New Zealand to host the tournament.