Matches (21)
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WI Women vs SA Women (1)
2003

Unstoppable Australia register third World Cup win

The action began off the field, with money-issues - ambush marketing and a controversy over India's team sponsorship - overshadowing the cricket. England and New Zealand expressed reservations about playing in Zimbabwe and Kenya, forcing the ICC into long discussions. Here Malcolm Speed, the chief executive, addresses the media after one such board meeting.
The action began off the field, with money-issues - ambush marketing and a controversy over India's team sponsorship - overshadowing the cricket. England and New Zealand expressed reservations about playing in Zimbabwe and Kenya, forcing the ICC into long discussions. Here Malcolm Speed, the chief executive, addresses the media after one such board meeting. •Getty Images
Allan Donald went wicketless for 54 runs in nine overs in that game. His tournament did not improve and he went for nearly 10 an over against New Zealand. He ended the tournament a shadow of the bowler he used to be and with just one wicket to show for his efforts.
Allan Donald went wicketless for 54 runs in nine overs in that game. His tournament did not improve and he went for nearly 10 an over against New Zealand. He ended the tournament a shadow of the bowler he used to be and with just one wicket to show for his efforts. •Getty Images
By the time a Harbhajan Singh delivery hit Edgar Schiferli in the face, India's victory against Netherlands was a formality. A few hours earlier, things were different: India's illustrious batsmen struggled against Netherlands' journeyman bowlers and were dismissed for 204. Sachin Tendulkar, who scored 52, overtook Javed Miandad as the highest run scorer in World Cups, but Roland Lefebvre, the Netherlands captain, had this to say: "Tendulkar looked very tame to me."
By the time a Harbhajan Singh delivery hit Edgar Schiferli in the face, India's victory against Netherlands was a formality. A few hours earlier, things were different: India's illustrious batsmen struggled against Netherlands' journeyman bowlers and were dismissed for 204. Sachin Tendulkar, who scored 52, overtook Javed Miandad as the highest run scorer in World Cups, but Roland Lefebvre, the Netherlands captain, had this to say: "Tendulkar looked very tame to me." •Getty Images
Andy Flower, pictured here, and Henry Olonga took a courageous stand during Zimbabwe's match against Namibia. Before the game, they issued statements saying they would be sporting black armbands to mourn the "death of democracy" in Zimbabwe. They duly did so, and neither ever played for Zimbabwe again after the World Cup.
Andy Flower, pictured here, and Henry Olonga took a courageous stand during Zimbabwe's match against Namibia. Before the game, they issued statements saying they would be sporting black armbands to mourn the "death of democracy" in Zimbabwe. They duly did so, and neither ever played for Zimbabwe again after the World Cup. •Getty Images
That match wasn't as pleasant for Inzamam-ul-Haq, though; he was trapped leg-before for a duck and by the end of the World Cup his scores read 6, 4, 0, 0, 6, 3. He was axed from the team after returning home
That match wasn't as pleasant for Inzamam-ul-Haq, though; he was trapped leg-before for a duck and by the end of the World Cup his scores read 6, 4, 0, 0, 6, 3. He was axed from the team after returning home •Getty Images
By the time Shoaib Akhtar got Sachin Tendulkar to fend a nasty bouncer to point, the batsman had turned this massively hyped India-Pakistan encounter in Centurion almost irreversibly in India's favour, with perhaps the tournament's most memorable innings. In his first over Shoaib banged one in short and wide, and Tendulkar unleashed a ferocious cut that sent the ball sailing over the third-man fence. That over went for 18 runs, including two more fours.
By the time Shoaib Akhtar got Sachin Tendulkar to fend a nasty bouncer to point, the batsman had turned this massively hyped India-Pakistan encounter in Centurion almost irreversibly in India's favour, with perhaps the tournament's most memorable innings. In his first over Shoaib banged one in short and wide, and Tendulkar unleashed a ferocious cut that sent the ball sailing over the third-man fence. That over went for 18 runs, including two more fours.•Getty Images
The Sri Lanka fixture was a must-win game for South Africa to progress to the Super Six stage. Old hands Marvan Atapattu and Aravinda de Silva had taken Sri Lanka to 242 for 3, but a lower-order collapse, sparked by Shaun Pollock's bowling, restricted them to 268.
The Sri Lanka fixture was a must-win game for South Africa to progress to the Super Six stage. Old hands Marvan Atapattu and Aravinda de Silva had taken Sri Lanka to 242 for 3, but a lower-order collapse, sparked by Shaun Pollock's bowling, restricted them to 268.•Getty Images
With Adam Gilchrist in form, Australia reached 34 after five overs against Sri Lanka. Aravinda de Silva was given the ball and with his second delivery he induced Gilchrist to sweep. The ball lobbed towards Sangakkara, who caught it. Sri Lanka roared an appeal, and then pleaded. Rudi Koertzen was unmoved but Gilchrist walked - for which he was praised and pilloried in about equal measure.
With Adam Gilchrist in form, Australia reached 34 after five overs against Sri Lanka. Aravinda de Silva was given the ball and with his second delivery he induced Gilchrist to sweep. The ball lobbed towards Sangakkara, who caught it. Sri Lanka roared an appeal, and then pleaded. Rudi Koertzen was unmoved but Gilchrist walked - for which he was praised and pilloried in about equal measure. •Getty Images
India never had a realistic chance in the final, but there was always hope that Tendulkar, the batsman of the tournament till then, would conjure up the impossible. Those dreams were dashed in the first over of the chase, when Tendulkar attempted to pull Glenn McGrath and ended up offering a simple return catch. He had scored 673 runs in the tournament, but only four in its biggest match
India never had a realistic chance in the final, but there was always hope that Tendulkar, the batsman of the tournament till then, would conjure up the impossible. Those dreams were dashed in the first over of the chase, when Tendulkar attempted to pull Glenn McGrath and ended up offering a simple return catch. He had scored 673 runs in the tournament, but only four in its biggest match•Getty Images
The first match, between South Africa and West Indies, was a cracker, thanks to a superb innings from Brian Lara, who walked in at 7 for 2 and edged his second ball, only to watch Jacques Kallis dive full length and grass a difficult chance. Thereafter the runs flowed and Lara scored his second World Cup hundred as West Indies beat the hosts by three runs.
The first match, between South Africa and West Indies, was a cracker, thanks to a superb innings from Brian Lara, who walked in at 7 for 2 and edged his second ball, only to watch Jacques Kallis dive full length and grass a difficult chance. Thereafter the runs flowed and Lara scored his second World Cup hundred as West Indies beat the hosts by three runs.•Getty Images
More off-field drama: Hours before Australia's first match, news emerged that Shane Warne had returned home after failing a drugs test. His samples showed traces of two banned diuretics, which Warne claimed were given to him by his mother as a weight-reducing measure. Warne received a one-year ban and never played another ODI for Australia.
More off-field drama: Hours before Australia's first match, news emerged that Shane Warne had returned home after failing a drugs test. His samples showed traces of two banned diuretics, which Warne claimed were given to him by his mother as a weight-reducing measure. Warne received a one-year ban and never played another ODI for Australia. •Getty Images
The 2003 edition had so many minnows that some mismatches were on the cards. Against Bangladesh, Chaminda Vaas became the first bowler ever to take a hat-trick with the first three balls of the match. Hannan Sarkar was bowled, Mohammad Ashraful was caught and bowled and Ehsanul Haque nicked to second slip. The <i> Wisden Almanack</i> said Vaas celebrated "like an aeroplane piloted by a drunkard"”
The 2003 edition had so many minnows that some mismatches were on the cards. Against Bangladesh, Chaminda Vaas became the first bowler ever to take a hat-trick with the first three balls of the match. Hannan Sarkar was bowled, Mohammad Ashraful was caught and bowled and Ehsanul Haque nicked to second slip. The Wisden Almanack said Vaas celebrated "like an aeroplane piloted by a drunkard"” •Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
South Africa, meanwhile, were being undone by another one-man show. Herschelle Gibbs powered them to 306 against New Zealand but his effort was overshadowed by a masterpiece from Stephen Fleming. A power failure and two rain breaks meant that New Zealand had to keep an eye on the Duckworth-Lewis sheet, but Fleming ensured that they were almost always ahead of the equation. He finished unbeaten on 134 as New Zealand won by nine wickets.
South Africa, meanwhile, were being undone by another one-man show. Herschelle Gibbs powered them to 306 against New Zealand but his effort was overshadowed by a masterpiece from Stephen Fleming. A power failure and two rain breaks meant that New Zealand had to keep an eye on the Duckworth-Lewis sheet, but Fleming ensured that they were almost always ahead of the equation. He finished unbeaten on 134 as New Zealand won by nine wickets.•Getty Images
When it was announced that Sachin Tendulkar would open against England, Andrew Caddick said it gave them a good chance of getting him out early with the new ball. Tendulkar responded with a half-century that included one of the most savage pull shots you will see.
When it was announced that Sachin Tendulkar would open against England, Andrew Caddick said it gave them a good chance of getting him out early with the new ball. Tendulkar responded with a half-century that included one of the most savage pull shots you will see.•Getty Images
Andy Bichel was Australia's unlikely hero. He destroyed England's batting with figures of 7 for 20 in ten overs, reducing them to 204. Then, with Australia tottering at 135 for 8, he joined Michael Bevan at the crease, and when they needed 14 off the last two overs, swung James Anderson for a six and followed up with a four. The game was up for England.
Andy Bichel was Australia's unlikely hero. He destroyed England's batting with figures of 7 for 20 in ten overs, reducing them to 204. Then, with Australia tottering at 135 for 8, he joined Michael Bevan at the crease, and when they needed 14 off the last two overs, swung James Anderson for a six and followed up with a four. The game was up for England. •Getty Images
When rain interrupted South Africa's chase against Sri Lanka, Mark Boucher and Lance Klusener, in the middle, were told that after the 45th over, South Africa needed 229, provided they lost no more wickets. Boucher smashed the penultimate ball of the 45th for six to reach 229 and pumped his fists before calmly defending the last ball. Only after returning to the dressing room did the batsmen realise that the equation had been read wrong: they needed 230 to make the Super Six.
When rain interrupted South Africa's chase against Sri Lanka, Mark Boucher and Lance Klusener, in the middle, were told that after the 45th over, South Africa needed 229, provided they lost no more wickets. Boucher smashed the penultimate ball of the 45th for six to reach 229 and pumped his fists before calmly defending the last ball. Only after returning to the dressing room did the batsmen realise that the equation had been read wrong: they needed 230 to make the Super Six. •Getty Images
The final featured the two best teams of the tournament. Australia, who'd simply steamrolled everyone in their path, and India, who'd begun badly but quickly found their momentum. After the first over, though, you knew that India had no chance. Zaheer Khan bowled ten balls and conceded 15 runs, eight of which were extras.
The final featured the two best teams of the tournament. Australia, who'd simply steamrolled everyone in their path, and India, who'd begun badly but quickly found their momentum. After the first over, though, you knew that India had no chance. Zaheer Khan bowled ten balls and conceded 15 runs, eight of which were extras. •Getty Images
After Virender Sehwag's brief resistance, the Australian celebrations began. Ponting was deservingly crowned Man of the Match and Australia became the first team to win the World Cup three times.
After Virender Sehwag's brief resistance, the Australian celebrations began. Ponting was deservingly crowned Man of the Match and Australia became the first team to win the World Cup three times.•Getty Images
If Pakistan thought the Warne fiasco would weaken Australia, they thought wrong. Darren Lehmann was banned, Michael Bevan was injured, and Australia had slipped to 86 for 4. Enter Andrew Symonds, selected ahead of Steve Waugh, to prove his worth by playing an innings that would have made Tugga applaud. His 143 off 125 balls included this little face-off with Waqar Younis.
If Pakistan thought the Warne fiasco would weaken Australia, they thought wrong. Darren Lehmann was banned, Michael Bevan was injured, and Australia had slipped to 86 for 4. Enter Andrew Symonds, selected ahead of Steve Waugh, to prove his worth by playing an innings that would have made Tugga applaud. His 143 off 125 balls included this little face-off with Waqar Younis. •Getty Images
Sri Lanka feasted on minnows; the unfortunate opponents this time were Canada, who were decimated for 36, the lowest ODI total at the time. Sri Lanka needed just 4.4 overs to reach the target. The whole match lasted 23.2 overs, making it the shortest game in World Cup history.
Sri Lanka feasted on minnows; the unfortunate opponents this time were Canada, who were decimated for 36, the lowest ODI total at the time. Sri Lanka needed just 4.4 overs to reach the target. The whole match lasted 23.2 overs, making it the shortest game in World Cup history. •Getty Images
It wasn't a very happy competition for Pakistan but the one bright spot was Wasim Akram becoming the first, and to date only, player to take 500 one-day-international wickets. He got to the landmark during Pakistan's game against Netherlands
It wasn't a very happy competition for Pakistan but the one bright spot was Wasim Akram becoming the first, and to date only, player to take 500 one-day-international wickets. He got to the landmark during Pakistan's game against Netherlands •Getty Images
After India posted 250, Ashish Nehra took 6 for 23 - a career best - to roll England over for 168.
After India posted 250, Ashish Nehra took 6 for 23 - a career best - to roll England over for 168.•Getty Images
Canada's John Davison liked to do things in style, like this attempted save on the boundary. He also scored what was the fastest century in World Cup history at the time - off 67 balls - against West Indies.
Canada's John Davison liked to do things in style, like this attempted save on the boundary. He also scored what was the fastest century in World Cup history at the time - off 67 balls - against West Indies. •Getty Images
Australia always brought out the best in Shane Bond, and this World Cup was no different. By the end of his first spell Bond had reduced Australia to 41 for 3, and when he finished his second they were reeling at 88 for 7. Bond finished with 6 for 23. His impact was magnified by what happened after his spell: Andy Bichel struck a half-century from No. 9 to take Australia to 208, a target that proved beyond New Zealand's reach.
Australia always brought out the best in Shane Bond, and this World Cup was no different. By the end of his first spell Bond had reduced Australia to 41 for 3, and when he finished his second they were reeling at 88 for 7. Bond finished with 6 for 23. His impact was magnified by what happened after his spell: Andy Bichel struck a half-century from No. 9 to take Australia to 208, a target that proved beyond New Zealand's reach. •Getty Images
Ricky Ponting delivered the defining performance of the final. So brutal was his assault that the Indians were stunned into serving up juicy full-tosses, which Ponting despatched over the leg-side boundary. He faced 121 balls and scored 140 runs with four fours and eight sixes to take Australia to 359 and win them the trophy.
Ricky Ponting delivered the defining performance of the final. So brutal was his assault that the Indians were stunned into serving up juicy full-tosses, which Ponting despatched over the leg-side boundary. He faced 121 balls and scored 140 runs with four fours and eight sixes to take Australia to 359 and win them the trophy.•Getty Images