The current ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy was first presented in 1999.
It was created for the 1999 World Cup and became the tournament’s first permanent prize. Earlier editions used separate trophies linked to sponsors: the Prudential Cup was used from 1975 to 1983, followed by different designs for the 1987, 1992 and 1996 tournaments.
The trophy was designed by Paul Marsden of Garrard & Co and produced in London. Its silver-and-gilt design features a golden globe held above three silver columns shaped like stumps and bails. The columns symbolize cricket’s core skills—batting, bowling and fielding—while the globe represents the world and a cricket ball.
The original trophy remains with the ICC rather than travelling permanently with champions. Winning teams receive a replica that differs mainly in its inscriptions. The 1999 tournament was therefore a turning point: it replaced a succession of sponsor-branded awards with a consistent symbol of the men’s Cricket World Cup. The 1999 champion was Australia, which defeated Pakistan in the final at Lord’s.