Australia's moment of joy
For the first time the ICC world cup was shifted to the African continent. South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya together hosted the 2003 World Cup. A total of 14 teams took part in the tournament with Australia, England, India, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, the Netherlands and debutants Namibia being placed in Pool A while Pool B consisted of South Africa, Sri Lanka, the West Indies, New Zealand, Canada, Kenya and Bangladesh.
The top three from each pool were to qualify for the super sixes with the rules and formats remaining the same as that of 1999 World Cup. The tournament were marred with controversies as England refusing to play in Zimbabwe and New Zealand were reluctant to play in Kenya due to security concerns. Last but not the least, Late Shane Warne was suspended from the world cup as he took a banned substance.
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South Africa, Pakistan, England and West Indies played poor cricket and were eliminated in the group stages. The only shocker in the group stage was when Kenya outclassed Sri Lanka in their own backyard. Kenya went on to beat Zimbabwe as well in the super sixes.
Australia were the team who actually dominated as the team recorded all win record. In the absense of late Shane Warne skipper Ricky Ponting reposed faith on late Andrew Symonds who duly respected Ponting’s faith.
Australia, India and Zimbabwe qualified in the super sixes from Pool A while Sri Lanka, Kenya and New Zealand qualified from Pool B. The Semi-final like up were as follows Australia vs Sri Lanka in the first semi finals while India took on Kenya in the other semi finals. Both Australia and India recorded easy wins and advanced to the Grand Finale.
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In the finals Australia put up a mammoth 2/359 with a brisk 140 not out (121) from skipper Ricky Ponting and 88 not out (84) from Damien Martyn (playing with a broken thumb). Chasing 360 to win the World Cup India began disastrously with their star batsman with peak form Sachin Tendulkar skying an easy caught and bowled by Glenn McGrath. Virendra Sehwag 82(81) and Rahul Dravid 47(57) put up some resistance and after their dismissals India lost wickets at regular intervals to hand Australia their third world cup beating West Indies’ record.
Sachin Tendulkar was adjudged the player of the world cup.
