The greatest one-dayer and other tales
The confusion of the league stage was all but forgotten by the time the last ball was bowled in the semi-final at Edgbaston
ESPNcricinfo staff
03-Nov-2014
Australia again: Waugh and Co get their team their second World Cup title • Getty Images
World Cup No. 7
Minnows Bangladesh, Kenya, Scotland
Format
The 12 entrants were split into two groups, and the top three in each group went into the Super Six, carrying with them the points they had earned against the two teams who had also qualified from their group. They then played the qualifying teams from the other group, creating a final all-played-all league table, with the top four going into the semi-finals. Confused? So was everyone else.
The 12 entrants were split into two groups, and the top three in each group went into the Super Six, carrying with them the points they had earned against the two teams who had also qualified from their group. They then played the qualifying teams from the other group, creating a final all-played-all league table, with the top four going into the semi-finals. Confused? So was everyone else.
Innovations
The Super Sixes were enough for everyone. Zimbabwe qualified at the top of their group as their defeats in the first stage came against sides who were eliminated.
The Super Sixes were enough for everyone. Zimbabwe qualified at the top of their group as their defeats in the first stage came against sides who were eliminated.
Early running
Australia, the favourites, struggled, losing to Pakistan and New Zealand, and thereafter needed to win every game to avoid elimination. However, their match against West Indies was a coordinated farce, with the complex points system persuading Australia to aim for a narrow win to ensure both of them went through at New Zealand's expense. England, with home advantage, were surprisingly eliminated, mainly because Zimbabwe sprang two major upsets, defeating India and South Africa, while Sri Lanka, the holders, never remotely looked like staging anything resembling a meaningful defence. Bangladesh's defeat of Pakistan in a dead rubber sparked justified celebrations, but suspicion has since been cast over the result.
Australia, the favourites, struggled, losing to Pakistan and New Zealand, and thereafter needed to win every game to avoid elimination. However, their match against West Indies was a coordinated farce, with the complex points system persuading Australia to aim for a narrow win to ensure both of them went through at New Zealand's expense. England, with home advantage, were surprisingly eliminated, mainly because Zimbabwe sprang two major upsets, defeating India and South Africa, while Sri Lanka, the holders, never remotely looked like staging anything resembling a meaningful defence. Bangladesh's defeat of Pakistan in a dead rubber sparked justified celebrations, but suspicion has since been cast over the result.
Super Six
The system of carrying forward points earned against other qualifiers meant Zimbabwe headed the table before a match had been played, although they were beaten in all three games and eliminated. India, handicapped by qualifying without a point, went out despite a convincing victory over Pakistan, and Australia also had to come from a standing start, only securing a semi-final place against South Africa with a five-wicket win in their final match against... South Africa. Pakistan topped the group, despite only winning one Super Six match (against Zimbabwe). New Zealand also went through with a solitary win.
The system of carrying forward points earned against other qualifiers meant Zimbabwe headed the table before a match had been played, although they were beaten in all three games and eliminated. India, handicapped by qualifying without a point, went out despite a convincing victory over Pakistan, and Australia also had to come from a standing start, only securing a semi-final place against South Africa with a five-wicket win in their final match against... South Africa. Pakistan topped the group, despite only winning one Super Six match (against Zimbabwe). New Zealand also went through with a solitary win.
The semis
Pakistan humbled New Zealand in the first while South Africa and Australia played out a thrilling tie. The game ended in heartbreak for South Africa, who were knocked out because they had lost to Australia earlier in the tournament.
Pakistan humbled New Zealand in the first while South Africa and Australia played out a thrilling tie. The game ended in heartbreak for South Africa, who were knocked out because they had lost to Australia earlier in the tournament.
The final
Pakistan were at the receiving end of a humbling. The contest began half an hour late but ended at 4.35pm, well before the scheduled close.
Pakistan were at the receiving end of a humbling. The contest began half an hour late but ended at 4.35pm, well before the scheduled close.
Controversies
South Africa experimented with a radio system in their first game against India. Hansie Cronje and Allan Donald were wired up to coach Bob Woolmer in the dressing room to communicate when on the field. The match referee intervened during the drinks break and the ICC stepped in to bar the method.
South Africa experimented with a radio system in their first game against India. Hansie Cronje and Allan Donald were wired up to coach Bob Woolmer in the dressing room to communicate when on the field. The match referee intervened during the drinks break and the ICC stepped in to bar the method.
This article was first published in 2014