Each of the succeeding World Cup competitions has developed its own character, personalities, records, upsets, controversies, thrills and spills apart from magnificent cricket. The Cricket World Cup - Cherish and Relish offers the reader a sneak peek at the events that shaped the first nine editions of Cricket's premier event.

Devendra Prabhudesai, in his introduction, says, "There is uniformity on the view that the last thirty-five years witnessed cricket's progression from the realms of the static, to the dynamic. Indeed, the evidence to that effect is overwhelming and ubiquitous. However, if at all there are people who still think otherwise, they could be convinced to change their minds by simply being reminded of all that happened in the first nine editions of the sport's premier quadrennial event.

The book is a sincere attempt to tell the story of cricket's premier event, from 1975 to 2011, in as succinct a manner as possible."

According to Devendra, the present world cup competition would be the first to confront the 'Twenty20' phenomenon. While there is no doubt that recent reports of the 'demise' of fifty-over cricket are generally exaggerated, the fact remains that what transpires in the upcoming tournament will have a direct bearing on the long-term future of the format.

Cricket enthusiasts would find the review of each tournament, apart from the quiz and the trivia, the highest scorer and the highest wicket-taker in the book.

Under cricket trivia section, the readers are informed that the first world cup final got off to a dramatic start. West Indies opener Roy Frederics hooked Dennis Lillee for six, but he lost his balance while finishing the stroke, and dislodged his wicket. He was hit wicket as a result.

The Waugh twins had to cut their celebrations after winning the 1999 World Cup short, as their grandfather died the same day.

Former Australian cricketer-turned TV expert Dean Jones proclaimed that he would 'streak' on the streets of Mumbai if Kenya were to beat India in the Super Six clash between the two teams in 2003. India slipped to 24 for three, chasing 226, but Jones was 'saved' by Sourav Ganguly and Yuvraj Singh, who added an unfinished 118 for the fifth wicket.

'The only time an Australian walks is when his car runs out of petrol,' Barry Richards, the former South African great, had famously quipped in the 1970s. It was, therefore, ironic that he of all people were doing commentary when Adam Gilchrist, the Australian vice-captain, 'walked' after nicking Aravinda De Silva to the Sri Lankan keeper Kumar Sangakkara, in the 2003 semi-final!

An Excellent book indeed. Cricket enthusiasts would have loved to see a consolidated world cup records' section.

Devendra is presently Manager, Media Relations and Corporate Affairs at the Board of Control for Cricket in India, and the LOC Media Manager (India) for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.