“I also claim some credit for Kapil’s success. If my words goaded them into taking the World Cup more seriously, then I am delighted. No non-Indian was more thrilled than I was with that victory at Lord’s.

“When it was suggested that I eat my words, I was very happy to do so—and even arranged a photograph for Wisden Cricket Monthly [which he edited, having founded the magazine four years earlier],” Frith said.

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‘Not forced to eat my words’ 

“My role in India’s 1983 World Cup triumph has been misrepresented. I was not forced to eat my words. It was suggested that I might do so after India’s victory, and I was very glad to do so,” he said.  

Frith said he enjoyed celebrating the historic victory with the Indian team. “That evening, I joined the Indian players and a crowd of fans in the hotel across the road and enjoyed the celebrations. My friend Kapil danced to bhangra [beats] which was memorable. I then got all the players to sign my match programme, which remains a prize among my cricket collection,” Frith said.