The 1983 World Cup followed on from the successes of the first two events and was run along similar lines.

Zimbabwe competed for the first time, alongside the six Test powerhouses and newly-appointed full ICC member Sri Lanka.

This event was lengthened, with each nation playing two matches against all the others. Several new venues, including Taunton, Leicester, Bristol, Worcester, Swansea, Derby, Tunbridge Wells, Southampton and Chelmsford were used.

Trent Bridge was allocated three matches once more and all featured outstanding individual performances.

9 June 1983 saw Zimbabwe play its first official One-Day International, so with 11 debutants on show, it remains one of cricket’s fairy-tale moments when they defeated Australia by 13 runs at Trent Bridge.

Duncan Fetcher, later to become England’s Head Coach, was their hero, following up his unbeaten 69 with bowling figures of 4-42.

Zimbabwe made 239-6 and hung on, narrowly, despite 76 from Kepler Wessels and 50 not out from Rod Marsh.

Australia bounced back emphatically, thrashing India by 162 runs on 13 June 1983 in Nottingham.

Trevor Chappell, younger brother of Ian and Greg, scored 110 out of 320-9.

Ken MacLeay then became the first bowler to take six wickets (for 39) in an ODI at Trent Bridge as India were bowled out for only 158.

India would have happier days, they went on to end West Indies’ dominance by winning the final at Lord’s 12 days later.

For the third tournament in a row, Pakistan won their group match at Trent Bridge.

On 20 June they lined up against New Zealand here, with a simple equation for both sides; win and a semi-final against the West Indies lay just around the corner; lose and your coach to Heathrow will be outside the Dixon Gates.

Pakistan scored 261-3, again aided by two of their big stars.

Zaheer Abbas hit 103 not out and shared in an unbroken stand of 147 for the fourth wicket with Imran Khan, who made 78 not out.

New Zealand ran them close but lost their final wicket when Jeremy Coney was run out for 51 at the start of the final over, with 12 needed.

*******
A Notts Outlaws squad brimming with international talent will commence their T20 Vitality Blast campaign against Worcestershire Rapids at Trent Bridge on Thursday 1 July, with adult tickets priced at £10. Secure your seats…