Cricket's own crown Trophy is first permanent prize in game's history Click here for more on this story Posted: Tuesday September 07, 1999 01:44 PM   After the final match, the trophy will remain in the possession of the International Cricket Council. Graham Chadwick/Allsport LONDON (CNN/SI) -- Crafted in silver and gilt, the World Cup trophy may be valued monetarily at just 27,000 pounds (US43,200), but to the World Cup teams and cricket fans around the world it is priceless. Garrad, the crown jewelers, took two months to prepare the trophy, which is the first permanent prize in the history of the 24-year-old tournament. The trophy features a golden globe shaped as a cricket ball that is held up by three silver columns that are fashioned as stumps and bails. Each column has the World Cup logo on the inside. Apart from the trophy, the 12 teams in the tournament played for a total of US$1 million -- the biggest prize money in the history of the game. US$300,000 was allocated for the winner, US$150,000 for the runners-up and US$100,000 each for the losing semifinalists. The remaining money was split between the other teams. A team of craftsmen spent more than 500 man hours in the Garrad workshop to create the 60-centimeter (2-feet) trophy, engraving and gilding the globe and turning the wood for the base, which is inscribed with the names of the previous champions: the West Indies (1975 and 1979), India (1983), Australia (1987), Pakistan (1992) and Sri Lanka (1996). There is room for the next 12 champions. Although the trophy will remain in the possession of the International Cricket Council, a replica identical in every detail except for the inscription of the previous winners will be presented to the 1999 champion to keep permanently.   Related information Stories Notebook: Pakistan's famous fan; final betting Notebook: Betting firms in a fix; final security Unprecedented enthusiasm among fans Multimedia Click here for the latest audio and video Search our site Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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