The 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup was the eighth version of the head 50-over event. From February 9 to March 23, 2003, it was co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Kenya. This 12 months’s World Cup was the primary to be held within the African continent.

The event featured 14 groups, probably the most in World Cup historical past on the time, which competed in 54 matches. The system was just like the one utilized in the 1999 version, with groups divided into two teams and the highest three from every group qualifying for the Tremendous Sixes stage.

Australia finally gained the event, successful all 11 of their matches and defeating India within the remaining on the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. Now, let’s see how the 2003 World Cup progressed.

The Construct-Up

Format

The 2003 World Cup format included 14 groups divided into two teams of seven, with the highest three from every group qualifying for the Tremendous Sixes stage and carrying by means of their factors in opposition to different qualifiers from their group. The highest 4 Tremendous Six groups superior to the semi-finals, and the winners of these matches competed within the remaining.

Venues

A complete of 15 venues throughout South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Kenya hosted 54 World Cup matches. 13 South African venues hosted 46 matches mixed; 2 venues from Zimbabwe hosted 6 video games, whereas Nairobi Gymkhana Membership from Kenya hosted 2 matches. Port Elizabeth and Durban performed host to 2 semi-finals, whereas Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg hosted the ultimate match.

Groups:

The 2003 World Cup included 14 groups, which on the time was probably the most ever seen in a Cricket World Cup. Aside from 10 full members, Kenya, Namibia, Canada, and the Netherlands certified for the occasion.

Groups that participated within the 2003 Cricket World Cup:

• Australia
• England 
• India 
• New Zealand 
• Pakistan
• South Africa
• Sri Lanka
• West Indies
• Zimbabwe
• Bangladesh
• Kenya
• Namibia
• Canada
• Netherlands

Favourites

The previous champions, Australia, and the hosts, South Africa, have been the favourites for this World Cup.

2003 World Cup Group Matches

Match 1: February 09 | South Africa vs West Indies

Within the opening sport, the hosts, South Africa, took on the two-time world champions, the West Indies. The Windies batted first and posted 278/5 on the scoreboard. In response, South Africa got here near victory; nevertheless, they misplaced the match by 3 runs as they have been docked one over because of a sluggish over-rate.

Match 2: February 10 | Zimbabwe vs Namibia

Craig Wishart’s unbeaten 172 off 151 balls took Zimbabwe to an enormous whole of 340 runs. Throughout Nambia’s chase, the rain interrupted the match within the twenty sixth over and didn’t resume additional, leading to Zimbabwe successful the match by 86 runs by means of the DLS technique.

Match 3: February 10 | New Zealand vs Sri Lanka

Batting first, Sri Lanka misplaced an early wicket; nevertheless, captain Sanath Jayasuriya (120) and Hashan Tillakaratne (81*) steered the innings and went on to publish 272 on the board. In response, New Zealand’s Scott Styris (141) didn’t get a lot assist from different batters, and Sri Lanka gained by 47 runs.

Match 4: February 11 | Australia vs Pakistan

Driving on Andrew Symonds’ unbeaten 143 off 125 balls, Australia managed to attain 310 runs in 50 overs. Then Ian Harvey (4 wickets) and Brad Hogg (3 wickets) strangled the Pakistani batting lineup, serving to Australia win by 82 runs.

Match 5: February 11 | Bangladesh vs Canada

In a sport that noticed bowlers from each side dominate the batters, Canada triumphed over Bangladesh by 60 runs. Canada elected to bat first and managed to publish 180 runs. In defence, Austin Codrington picked up a 5-fer, dismissing Bangladesh for 120 runs.

Match 6: February 12 | South Africa vs Kenya

Apart from Ravi Shah (60), no different batter gave a struggle from Kenya consequently they have been bowled out for a mere 140 runs. Whereas chasing, South African openers had no hassle as they cruised to the goal with 10 wickets in hand.

Match 7: February 12 | India vs Netherlands

The Netherlands’ bowler Tim de Leede (4 wickets) produced a efficiency to recollect in opposition to India, proscribing them to 204 runs. Nevertheless, the good bowling efficiency went in useless as India knocked out the Dutch batters for 136 runs and gained the match by 68 runs.

Match 8: February 13 | Zimbabwe vs England

England forfeited the match, and Zimbabwe gained by default.

Match 9: February 13 | West Indies vs New Zealand

With helpful contributions from center and lower-order batters, New Zealand managed to attain 241 runs in 50 overs. Regardless of Ramnaresh Sarwan’s 75 and Ridley Jacobs’ 50, the Windies fell brief by 20 runs.

Match 10: February 14 | Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh

Chaminda Vaas’ breathtaking 6-wicket haul, together with Muthiah Muralidaran’s 3 wickets, bundled the Bangladeshi facet on 124 runs. Sri Lanka chased down the goal quite simply with 10 wickets to spare.

Match 11: February 15 | Australia vs India

The Australia tempo trio Brett Lee (3 wickets), Jason Gillespie (3 wickets), and Glenn McGrath (1 wicket) overpowered the Indian batting lineup and bowled them out for a meagre 125 runs. Whereas chasing, the Indian bowlers didn’t create a lot hassle for Australia they usually gained by 9 wickets.

Match 12: February 15 | Kenya vs Canada

Sparing a number of batting performances, Canadian batters didn’t put up a struggle in opposition to the Kenyan bowlers and scored 197 runs. Whereas chasing, Kenya misplaced an early wicket, however that didn’t cease them from successful the match by 4 wickets.

Match 13: February 16 | England vs Netherlands

Aside from Tim de Leede (58*), different batters couldn’t stand in entrance of the English bowling assault and the Netherlands scored 142/9. In the course of the chase, England confronted a number of jolts, however they chased down the goal with 6 wickets to spare.

Match 14: February 16 | Pakistan vs Namibia

Regardless of dropping wickets on the fag finish of their innings, Pakistan managed to publish 255 runs on the board, due to essential contributions from the highest and middle-order batters. In response, the Namibian batters had no reply to the sheer tempo of Wasim Akram (5 wickets) and Shoaib Akhtar (4 wickets) and Pakistan gained by 171 runs.

Match 15: February 16 | South Africa vs New Zealand

Herschelle Gibbs’ 143 took South Africa’s whole to 306/6 in 50 overs. New Zealand’s captain Stephen Fleming (134*) was main from the entrance within the chase; nevertheless, three rain interruptions diminished the match to 39 overs and the goal was revised to 226 runs. The Kiwis chased down the goal within the thirty seventh over with 9 wickets in hand.

Match 16: February 18 | West Indies vs Bangladesh

Bangladesh elected to bowl first and restricted the Windies to 244/9 in 50 overs. Throughout Bangladesh’s chase, rain interrupted the match within the ninth over. Ultimately, the sport was known as off with each groups incomes 2 factors.

Match 17: February 19 | Zimbabwe vs India

Sachin Tendulkar’s 81 helped India publish a complete of 255/7 in 50 overs. In response, Zimbabwe’s opening batters failed; their center and decrease order stored the struggle going, however India managed to win the sport by 83 runs.

Match 18: February 19 | Sri Lanka vs Canada

Prabath Nissanka (4 wickets) and Chaminda Vaas (3 wickets) skittled the Canadian facet for simply 36 runs, the bottom whole within the World Cup historical past. Sri Lanka chased down the overall within the fifth over with 9 wickets to spare.

Match 19: February 19 | England vs Namibia

After being invited to bat first, England managed to attain 272 runs in 50 overs. Jan-Berrie Burger (85) fought from Namibia within the chase however it wasn’t sufficient and England gained by 55 runs.

Match 20: February 20 | Australia vs Netherlands

In a 36 overs per facet sport, Australia posted 170/2 on the scoreboard. In response, the Netherlands was skittled on 122 runs and Australia registered a win by 75 runs.

Match 21: February 21 | New Zealand vs Kenya

New Zealand forfeited the match, and Kenya gained by default.

Match 22: February 22 | South Africa vs Bangladesh

Makhaya Ntini (4 wickets), together with Shaun Pollock (2 wickets) and Andrew Corridor (2 wickets), wreaked havoc on the Bangladeshi batting lineup, bowling them out for a mere 108 runs. South Africa, then chased down the goal in 12 overs and gained the match by 10 wickets.

Match 23: February 22 | England vs Pakistan

England gained the toss and determined to bat first. The English facet went on to attain 246 runs in 50 overs. The Pakistani batters have been clueless in entrance of a younger James Anderson, who scalped 4 wickets, serving to England win by 112 runs.

Match 24: February 23 | West Indies vs Canada

John Davison’s fast knock of 111 runs off 76 deliveries enabled Canada to publish 202 runs on the scoreboard. However the goal wasn’t too huge for the Windies batters as they chased it down within the twenty first over with 7 wickets to spare.

Match 25: February 23 | India vs Namibia

Driving on the again of an excellent 152 from Sachin Tendulkar and 112* from captain Sourav Ganguly, India posted an enormous rating of 311 on the board. Tendulkar and Ganguly stitched collectively a strong partnership of 244 runs for the second wicket, making it one of many highest in ODI World Cup historical past. In the meantime, the goal was mammoth for Namibia they usually have been troubled from the beginning by the Indian bowlers consequently India gained by 181 runs.

Match 26: February 24 | Sri Lanka vs Kenya

The Sri Lankan bowlers took common wickets, proscribing Kenya to a complete of 210/9. Nevertheless, Kenya pulled off a main upset in World Cup historical past and defeated the 1996 champions by 53 runs.

Match 27: February 24 | Zimbabwe vs Australia

After electing to bat first, Zimbabwe scored an honest whole of 246 runs. In response, Australia confronted no main troubles and registered a victory by 7 wickets.

Match 28: February 25 | Pakistan vs Netherlands

Mohammad Yousuf’s 58 runs took Pakistan’s whole to 253/9 in 50 overs. The Pakistani bowlers left no stone unturned, bowling the Netherlands on 156 runs and Pakistan gained by 97 runs.

Match 29: February 26 | New Zealand vs Bangladesh

Bangladesh determined to bat first; nevertheless, they might solely publish 198/7 on the board. Craig McMillan’s 75 made the chase simple for New Zealand and the Kiwis gained by 7 wickets.

Match 30: February 26 | England vs India

Sourav Ganguly gained the toss and determined to bat first. His males in blue managed to publish a preventing whole of 250/9 on the scoreboard. Later, Ashish Nehra rattled by means of the English facet, choosing up 6 wickets for 23 runs, serving to India win by 82 runs.

Match 31: February 27 | Australia vs Namibia

Batting first, Australia posted an enormous whole of 301 runs in 50 overs. Then, Glenn McGrath produced the greatest bowling figures within the World Cup historical past (7/15) as he ran by means of the Namibian facet, serving to Australia register an astounding win of 256 runs.

Match 32: February 27 | South Africa vs Canada

Boeta Dippenaar’s 80 runs took South Africa to a rating of 254 runs. In response, Canada may solely handle to succeed in 136/5 in 50 overs and South Africa gained by 118 runs.

Match 33: February 28 | Zimbabwe vs Netherlands

The Netherlands elected to bowl first; nevertheless, the choice didn’t go effectively for them as Zimbabwe smashed the Dutch bowled and scored 301/8 in 50 overs. In reply, the Netherlands was restricted to 202/9, leading to Zimbabwe successful by 99 runs.

Match 34: February 28 | Sri Lanka vs West Indies

In a carefully contested sport, Sri Lanka posted an honest whole of 228 runs on the board. Whereas chasing, the Windies batters struggled and misplaced the match by 6 runs.

Match 35: March 01 | Kenya vs Bangladesh

Kenya sprung one other shock within the 2003 World Cup by defeating Bangladesh. Batting first, Kenya scored 217 runs, due to Maurice Odumbe’s unbeaten 52 runs. Later, Maurice Odumbe showcased his all-round abilities with the ball by choosing up 4 wickets and serving to Kenya win by 32 runs.

Match 36: March 01 | Pakistan vs India

Saeed Anwar’s 101 powered Pakistan to a rating of 273 runs in 50 overs. In response, Sachin Tendulkar’s 98 off 75 balls made the chase simpler, serving to India beat the archrivals with 6 wickets in hand.

Match 37: March 02 | Australia vs England

England elected to bat first; nevertheless, they might solely handle to attain 204 runs as Andy Bichel (7/20) produced a mindblowing bowling efficiency for Australia. Later, Andrew Caddick (4/35) did hassle the Australian batting lineup, however Michael Bevan’s 74* runs ensured a 2 wicket win for Australia.

Match 38: March 03 | New Zealand vs Canada

New Zealand gained by 5 wickets

Match 39: March 03 | Namibia vs Netherlands

Feiko Kloppenburg’s 121 and Klaas-Jan van Noortwijk’s 134* took the Netherlands whole to 314 runs. Each constructed a 228-run partnership for the second wicket, which is the very best for the Netherlands in World Cup. Namibia received off to an excellent begin with essential contributions from the batters; nevertheless, they misplaced bunch of wickets ultimately and Netherlands gained by 64 runs.

Match 40: March 03 | South Africa vs Sri Lanka

After electing to bat first, Sri Lanka posted 268 runs, due to Marvan Atapattu’s 124 runs. Attributable to rain interruption, the goal was revised to 230 runs in 45 overs. The match dramatically led to a tie as South Africa may solely rating 229 runs in 45 overs.

Match 41: March 04 | Zimbabwe vs Pakistan

The match may solely see 14 overs bolwed because of rain interruptions and led to no end result.

Match 42: March 04 | West Indies vs Kenya

The Universe Boss Chris Gayle’s 119 runs took the West Indies whole to 246 runs. In response, Kenya was bowled out for 104 runs and West Indies gained by 142 runs.

Tremendous Six

Match 1: March 07 | Australia vs Sri Lanka

After deciding to bat first, Australia posted 319 runs, due to Ricky Ponting’s captain’s knock of 114 runs. In reply, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 223 runs, leading to Australia successful by 96 runs.

Match 2: March 07 | India vs Kenya

Kenya gained the toss and determined to bat first. Kennedy Otieno 79 helped Kenya publish 225 runs on the board. Whereas chaseing, captain Sourav Ganguly led from the entrance by scoring an unbeaten 107 runs, serving to India win by 6 wickets.

Match 3: March 08 | Zimbabwe vs New Zealand

Heath Streak’s 72* helped Zimbabwe attain a preventing whole of 252/7 in 50 overs. In response, New Zealand didn’t face a lot troubles and registered a win by 6 wickets.

Match 4: March 10 | India vs Sri Lanka

In a one-sided sport, India posted 292 runs on the board. Later, Ashish Nehra troubled the Sri Lankan batters, serving to India India win by 183 runs.

Match 5: March 11 | Australia vs New Zealand

Shane Bond’s 6-wicket haul restricted the Australian facet to 208 runs. Then Brett Lee got here up together with his 5-wicket haul, skittling the Kiwis for 112 runs and Australia gained by 96 runs.

Match 6: March 12 | Zimbabwe vs Kenya

Zimbabwe determined to bat first; nevertheless, the choice didn’t materialise of their favour as Kenya bowled Zimbabwe for 133 runs. Kenya gained the match by 7 wickets and booked their place within the semi-finals.

Match 7: March 14 | India vs New Zealand

Zaheer Khan (4 wickets), together with different Indian bowlers, stored the New Zealand batters in verify and bowled them out for 146 runs. Later, Mohammad Kaif’s 68 helped India gained by 7 wickets.

Match 8: March 15 | Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka

Marvan Atapattu’s 103 runs took Sri Lanka to a complete 256 runs in 50 overs. In response, Zimbabwe was bundled out for 182 runs and Sri Lanka gained by 74 runs.

Match 9: March 15 | Australia vs Kenya

After being requested to bat first, Kenya managed to attain 174 runs. Later, Australia chased down the goal within the thirty second over and gained the sport with 5 wickets to spare.

Knockout Stage

1st Semi-Closing: March 18 | Australia vs Sri Lanka

Australia introduced on 212/7 in opposition to tight Sri Lankan bowling on a tough, sluggish pitch in Port Elizabeth, however largely due to a superb efficiency from Andrew Symonds (91*), confirming captain Ricky Ponting’s religion in him as soon as extra. Chaminda Vaas collected 3 wickets to proceed his excellent efficiency.

The Australian tempo assault then ripped by means of Sri Lanka’s high order, with Brett Lee (3/35) and Glenn McGrath (1/20) accumulating 3 early wickets. By the point rain arrived within the thirty ninth over, sustained tight bowling had diminished Sri Lanka to 123/7, significantly wanting the Duckworth-Lewis whole. The match couldn’t resume, and Australia gained by 48 runs.

2nd Semi-Closing: March 20 | India vs Kenya

Kenya’s story as the one non-test-playing nation to succeed in a World Cup semi-final got here to an finish. Sachin Tendulkar (83) and Sourav Ganguly (111) batted India out of the sport as India reached 270/4.

The formidable Indian seam assault of Zaheer Khan (3/14), the veteran Javagal Srinath (1/11), and Ashish Nehra (2/11) ripped by means of Kenya’s high order underneath the Durban lights. Kenya was bowled out for 179, with simply Steve Tikolo (56) placing up a struggle.

Closing: March 23 | Australia vs India

India gained the toss and determined to subject in an effort to make the most of a pitch that had been moist from dew and rain. Batting first, Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden gave Australia an excellent begin, scoring 105 runs in 14 overs of their opening stand. Ricky Ponting then hammered a superb 140* off 121 balls with 4 fours and eight huge sixes to carry Australia to an enormous 359-2 in 50 overs.

Sachin Tendulkar, who had a terrific event up till that time, carried 1 billion hopes on his shoulders. Nevertheless, Glenn Mcgrath’s mistimed draw within the first over almost shattered a billion desires. Virender Sehwag’s 82 (81) offered some resistance, however India was finally swept out for 234.

That match additionally gave rise to absurd rumours comparable to Ponting having a spring in his bat, the World Cup being shared, a rematch, and so forth.

Particular Moments within the Cricket World Cup of 2003

Zimbabwe and Kenya Face Safety Challenges that Result in the Largest Upsets

Earlier than the event, there was some fear concerning the safety and political state of affairs in Zimbabwe, in addition to the appropriateness of enjoying there given the sins of Robert Mugabe’s dictatorship. Two Zimbabwean gamers, Andy Flower and Henry Olonga, wore black armbands of their first sport to protest Zimbabwe’s nondemocratic rule.

England obtained intense home strain to boycott their match in Zimbabwe on political grounds, they usually refused to take part, citing considerations for the gamers’ security. The boycott proved pricey, as Zimbabwe superior to the Tremendous Sixes solely two factors forward of England, due to the walkover. Equally, New Zealand selected in opposition to enjoying in Kenya because of safety considerations, which value them a semifinal place.

Shane Warne Failed a Drug Check

Shane Warne, Australia’s star participant, was despatched dwelling from the event in humiliating circumstances simply at some point earlier than their first sport after a optimistic drug check within the lead-up to the competitors revealed that he had taken a banned diuretic. In line with the leg spinner, he took a ‘fluid tablet’ on the suggestion of his mother.

South Africa Suffers within the Rain

South Africa has a strained reference to the World Cup. Regardless of fielding a number of the best gamers, they’ve but to win the final word prize. Generally it’s as a result of they’ve been outplayed, however on multiple event, it’s as a result of they’ve come up brief themselves, most notably on dwelling soil in 2003 after they received their Duckworth-Lewis calculations mistaken and left the pitch with a tie quite than a win in opposition to Sri Lanka. Shaun Pollock by no means recovered as captain, and the chokers regained management.

Canada Suffers with the Lowest Rating In World Cup Historical past 

Sri Lanka has historically been the staff to bowl out the opposition for modest scores. This time, Canada needed to take care of the warmth as Sri Lanka humiliated the second-time World Cup entrant, Canada, with the lowest-ever rating in World Cup historical past. 

Chaminda Vass received 3 wickets and Prabath Nissanka took 4 because the Canadian staff was bowled out for 36 in 18.4 overs. The Canadians’ batting resembled an 11-digit cellphone quantity that learn ‘9 0 0 1 0 9 0 6 6 0 0‘.

There have been no double-digit scores within the innings, with 9 being the very best. In response, Sri Lanka chased the goal with 272 balls to spare.

Some Information

The one staff to have gained 3 World Cups is Australia. Shoaib Akhtar of Pakistan additionally established a world document, changing into the quickest bowler in cricket historical past with a high pace of 161.3 km/h (100.23 mph) in a pool match in opposition to England.

Closing Ideas

The 2003 Cricket World Cup will all the time be remembered as a contest of monumental significance within the historical past of cricket. It was a show of expertise, fervour, and sportsmanship that united nations and captivated spectators all through the world.

It was a cricket spectacle to recollect due to Australia’s victory, India’s valiant effort, and the excellent particular person performances of the gamers. Along with being a turning level for the game, the 2003 World Cup additionally created an enduring legacy, motivating future generations of cricket gamers and spectators and serving as a continuing reminder of the unifying nature of the sport.