The best team won the world cup. Clearly, any person seeing Australia bat, bowl and field can say they were the best team of the tournament. Though they had a miserable tournament against the Black Caps, a clean white wash and losing the Hadlee - Chapell trophy, they provided some outstanding cricket all through this tournament. As a result they strech their world cup winning record to 29 matches on the row. Yes 29 matches, so they were last defeated in a world cup match only in 1999. Spectacular and brilliant, the way they have been consistent for the past 11 to 12 years shows their calibre, mind you they lost to Sri Lanka in 1996 world cup final and the revenge has been taken now. So, for the last 4 editions of the world cup they have been into the finals.
1996 - India, Srilanka & Pakistan
I personally feel that the reason why Srilanka won the 1996 world cup is because of 2 personalities. One their former coach, Dav Whatmore and second Aravinda De Silva. Whatmore bought about this strategy of lofting the ball beyond the 30 yards circle, where in only 2 players are allowed beyond for the first 15 overs and Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwartana capitalised to the fullest possible extent. Aravinda is technically the most prolific batsman of the time and its thanks to his innings in the final, that they were able to chase Australia's score.
1999 - England
For the first time after the World Cup started in 1975 - the world cup was held within the span of 3 years, normally its held every 4 years like any other major tournaments of the world. People say different views about it, but I think England wanted to hold the World Cup before the 21st centuary. They hosted in 1975, 1979 and before the end of the centuary they wanted to hold and so perhaps the world cup was preponed by a year and so in 1999 world cup was held. Another exception is 1992 world cup, held after a gap of 5 years.
During the world cup, Sachin Tendulkar's father expired and he flew back and came back to hit a massive hundred against Kenya.. Truely.. a superb knock. Another major highlight was the semi - final between Australia and South Africa. The match ended in draw and Australia scrape through to the finals because of a better run rate. The final ball when Allan Donald ran out by Lance Klusener still is fresh in my mind, I seriously think they shouldn't have ran that single instead Zulu could have hit the ball over the park as he did the over before. So, Australia went to the final and literally tore apart Pakistan for the loss of a single wicket.
2003 - South Africa
The Indian team were a total under dogs (I seriously find this term stupid !!!) before they went to the tournament. No one expected them to be in the finals, they however still managed to reach the finals and got pulverised in the hands of Australia again. The major highlight would be India reaching the finals, because after 1983 's win they never managed to reach the finals in any other edition of the cup. So, exactly after 20 years they reached but only difference and major difference, they lost in the finals.
2007 - West Indies
This was the recently ended one which clearly stands out for all the unlikely events. First India lost to Bangladesh, second Pakistan lost to Ireland who were playing for the first time and the following day Bob Woolmer expired (Pakistan coach) first reports suicide and later confirmed as murdered. Still after the world cup, no clear picture as to who murdered him or how he was murdered. Next, Ireland got one day status because they defeated 2 Test playing nation, namely Pakistan and Bangladesh. By this, both South Asian giants were out of the tournament namely Pakistan and India who didn't manage to go to the Super 8. And once again Australia won the world cup for the third time on the row making it a hat trick of world cup wins.
With this we can see that during the last four editions of the world cup its been Australia vs some Asian country, leaving the first its been Australia all the way. Another way this WC would be memorable is that almost all the coaches are retiring after this WC.
John Buchanen of Australia is giving way to Tim Nielsen.
Duncan Fletcher of England gives way to Steve McClaren
Bennett King of West Indies, Tom Moody of Sri Lanka, Dav Whatmore of Bangladesh, Greg Chapell of India all have retired. Pakistan have lost their coach in the sad way. Mickey Arthur coach of South Africa is under the scanner. Its more likely that John Bracewell will continue as New Zealand's coach. Zimbabwe's coach Kevin Curran, I seriously dont have any clue whether he will continue as coach or ..... And South African Adrian Birrell will most likely be taking over as coach of Ireland who got one day status recently. I think I have covered all the ODI playing countries. Next, coming to the players retirement list...
From the Indian Cricket Team, the first player to retire from the ODI was Anil Kumble.
Brian Lara, Inzamum-ul-Haq, Russell Arnold, Ian Bradshaw and Glenn McGrath have already announced their retirement. Stephen Fleming, Sanath Jayasuriya announced their retirement from ODI's for the time being.
I definitely believe Marvan Attapattu, Michael Vaughan, Jacques Kallis will and many more will call it a day soon. In a few weeks time we could see many players following suit.
Whats your say? Am I missing out somebody?
Brian Lara, Inzamum-ul-Haq, Russell Arnold, Ian Bradshaw and Glenn McGrath have already announced their retirement. Stephen Fleming, Sanath Jayasuriya announced their retirement from ODI's for the time being.
I definitely believe Marvan Attapattu, Michael Vaughan, Jacques Kallis will and many more will call it a day soon. In a few weeks time we could see many players following suit.
Whats your say? Am I missing out somebody?
On the whoe, though the tournament was very long, it was a treat especially to all the Aussie fans atleast. The sponsors of the tournament made a huge loss, thanks mainly to India's and Pakistan's early exit, it was a tournament well fought and the best team eventually won it.
HATS OFF TO AUSTRALIA... !!!
They truely deserve the cup.. (though it contradicts my earlier post, happy because the best team won).
