1979 ICC Trophy
| Administrator(s) | International Cricket Council |
|---|---|
| Cricket format | Limited overs cricket |
| Tournament format(s) | Round-robin and Knockout |
| Host(s) |
 England
|
| Champions |
 Sri Lanka (1st title) |
| Participants | 15 |
| Most runs |
Duleep Mendis (221) |
| Most wickets |
 John Vaughan (14) |
The 1979 ICC Trophy was a limited overs cricket tournament held in England between 22 May and 21 June 1979. It was the first ICC Trophy tournament to be staged, with matches between the 15 participating teams played over 60 overs a side and with white clothing and red balls. All matches were played in the Midlands.
The two finalists, Sri Lanka and Canada, qualified to take part in the 1979 World Cup. which began on 9 June, just three days after the ICC Trophy semi-finals. The ICC Trophy final was held on 21 June at Worcestershire's ground at New Road, two days before the World Cup final.
East Africa who played in the first World Cup didn't qualify this time, which meant there would be no nation from the African region participating in the 1979 World Cup.
The 15 teams were divided into three groups of five. Each team played each other team in its group once in matches played between 22 May and 4 June, scoring four points for a win and two for a no-result (match started but not finished) or abandoned entirely without a ball being bowled. The three group winners and the team with the fourth-highest points total after the group stage went forward to the semi-finals, the top team playing the fourth-ranked side and the team with the second-highest number of points playing the third. Where teams finished with equal points totals, run rate was used to separate them.
Note: A number of matches used their allotted reserve day.
A close opening-day match saw Singapore manage a nail-biting one-wicket victory over Argentina. The Argentines had made a respectable 154/9 from their 60 overs, their total restricted by a fine 5–44 from Young Ken Sen. In reply, Singapore slumped to 43/4 before the middle order steadied the ship, Goh Swee Heng proving the key man with 40 not out as they overhauled their opponents' total with four balls to spare.
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