The first three Cricket World Cups used 60 overs per team. The 1975, 1979 and 1983 tournaments were played in England under the Prudential Cup name, with each side allocated 360 deliveries in a full innings.
This format reflected the early shape of one-day international cricket. Matches were played in daylight, players wore traditional white clothing, and red balls were used. England’s long June days made it practical to stage 60-over matches in a single day.
The competition changed to 50 overs per side from the 1987 World Cup, which was hosted in India and Pakistan. That reduction became the standard for men’s World Cup cricket. A common mix-up is to remember the modern 50-over format and apply it to the inaugural tournaments; the first three editions were longer.