History Of Cricket World Cup (2003)

The 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup was the eighth version of the Cricket World Cup and was played in South Africa/Zimbabwe/Kenya from 9 February to 24 March. 2003 was the first time that the Cricket World Cup had been held in Africa. The tournament featured 14 teams and 54 matches, the most in the tournament history up to that time.

                The tournament followed the format introduced in the 1999 Cricket World Cup with the teams divided into 2 groups, and the top three in each group qualifying for the Super Sixes stage. The tournament saw upsets in the first round with South Africa, Pakistan, West Indies and England failing to make it to Super Sixes stage while Zimbabwe and Kenya made it to Super Sixes stage and Kenya, a non-Test playing nation, made the semi-finals of the tournament.

                Australia met India in the finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup; which was a one sided match thanks to brilliant batting performance from Australian players Hayden, Ponting and Martin. Indians were really never in the battle in that game.

TEAMS PLAYED IN 2003 WORLD CUP

·         Australia

·         Bangladesh

·         England

·         India

·         Kenya

·         New Zealand    

·         Pakistan

·         South Africa

·         Sri Lanka

·         West Indies

·         Zimbabwe

·         Canada

·         Namibia

·         Netherlands