Roar Guru
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The 16-team format used for the 2007 World Cup proved to be short-lived, as the tournament reverted to a two-group structure of 14 teams (as was the case in 2003, but with quarter-finals instead of the Super Six) for the next two editions.
In this fifth and concluding part of our series on the matches that shaped the 1999 World Cup, we look back at the highly significant last game of the Super Six stage, the two semi-finals – one of which was arguably the best ODI of all time – and the final at Lord’s.
Having looked back at the best from the group stage of the 1999 World Cup in the first three parts of this five-part series, we move on to some of the memorable matches seen in the second round of the tournament.
Bangladesh’s elevation to Test status in 2000, coupled with the increase in the number of participating teams by two, led to room for four Associates at the 2003 World Cup in Africa.
In this third of a five-part series on the matches that shaped the 1999 edition of the World Cup, we look back at the best that the final phase of the tournament’s group stage had to offer.
As the 2019 World Cup rolls on, we continue our five-part series on the matches that shaped the 1999 edition of the tournament.
As seen in Part 2, Zimbabwe became the ninth Test nation in 1992, thus opening up further opportunities for the Associates to partake in the World Cup.
Having revisited the fortunes of associate nations at the first two World Cups in 1975 and 1979 in Part 1 of this five-part series, we move ahead to the next editions.
Thanks to the International Cricket Council’s retrograde decision to reduce the number of teams at the 2019 World Cup, the 12th edition of the showpiece event – set to begin in England on May 30 – will feature only ten teams, the fewest since the 1992 edition.
With the 2019 World Cup almost upon us, it is great time to rewind to two decades back, when England last hosted the showpiece event.
Namibia played their first ODI in more than 16 years when they squared off against Oman in the final of the ICC World Cricket League Division Two at Windhoek’s Wanderers Cricket Ground on April 27.
Close on the heels of an insipid World Series Cup campaign in Australia in 1988-89 where they failed to reach the finals after having won only two out of eight league games, Pakistan hopped across the Tasman Sea for a full tour of New Zealand.
The arrival of Perth’s Optus Stadium on the international scene in January 2018 increased the total number of men’s ODI grounds in Australia to 19.
England came into the 1989-90 Caribbean tour on a streak of 29 winless Tests against the West Indies. Their last win against the islanders had come in 1973-74; since then, they had lost 20 and drawn nine Tests.
Sri Lanka have begun the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy off the wrong foot, as they got skittled for 144 on the first day at the Gabba.
The Test team that I have picked for the year 2018 features two players each from India, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and one each from England, South Africa and the West Indies.
The final day of the Melbourne Test, which saw India seal a resounding 137-run win, was the last piece of action in what was a riveting year for Test cricket.
The fifth round of the ongoing Ranji Trophy saw Madhya Pradesh’s Ajay Rohera achieve a remarkable feat at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore.
In 1992, Scotland broke away from the Test and County Cricket Board (TCCB), thus creating their own cricketing identity separate from England.
With a successful chase of 272 that brought a three-wicket win against hosts Worcestershire, Surrey ended a 16-year wait to claim their 19th County Championship title on 13 September.
Indeed. Zimbabwe nearly reached the semifinals of the 1999 World Cup, and also won a Test series in Pakistan in 1998-99. That team was as good as any on their day.
Associate nations at the World Cup: Part 2
Sri Lanka’s target was 507, and Sangakkara was ninth out at 364. So a Sri Lankan win was highly unlikely, irrespective of the umpiring gaffe.
Sri Lankan Test centurions in Australia
Indeed. Rudi Koertzen was the umpire in question.
Sri Lankan Test centurions in Australia
Yes, hope Sri Lanka can put up a better display at Canberra. The batting needs to fire collectively.
Sri Lankan Test centurions in Australia
Yes, as I mentioned at the outset, Cummins and de Villiers missed out very narrowly. Did not see any reason to drop either of Rabada, Abbas or Bumrah.
The 2018 Test team of the year
Yasir missed the England tour due to injury, so I thought it would have been unfair to drop him just because he played only overseas Test. Numbers-wise, he out-bowled Lyon.
The 2018 Test team of the year
Thanks, glad you liked it.
Indeed, Muzumdar was quite unfortunate in that regard.
A look at the ten highest scores on first-class debut
Indeed, it’s a travesty that the World Cup has been reduced to an extended Champions Trophy. A minimum of 14 teams ought to be there in a true ‘World’ Cup. Would have been delightful to see the Scots in next year’s edition, and they could have been allotted home fixtures as well, like 1999.
Unfortunately, the lure of the greenback has prevailed over the expansion of the sport.
Here’s hoping we get to see a lot more of Scotland, especially after their win over England. They deserve to play a lot more.
Rewind to 1999: When Scotland faced Australia in their first ODI
So, it’s two out of two for the Scots now. I won’t be surprised if they scalp Zimbabwe too (they beat them just last year) and end up topping the group. It would be a huge boost going into the Super Six round.
Ten players to watch at the World Cup Qualifier
Thanks, Kersi. I’m glad you liked it.
That’s an interesting bit of trivia. I have definitely heard of Talyarkhan, but never got to listen to his famed radio commentary.
Not too many Vijays to form an international XI I’m afraid, but I’ll probably be taking up a David XI soon 🙂
An all-time international XI of Steves
Thanks, Anindya.
Most them picked themselves. Saha was the better keeper, but it was hard to look past Rahim’s average. The only other dilemma was the third pacer, for which I overlooked Starc and Hazlewood to include Morkel.
The 2017 Test team of the year
Hi Dave, thanks for your suggestions.
The criteria was international cricket, at least ODIs if not Tests. Unfortunately, Jeffries couldn’t make the cut.
Rixon and Boock were were both considered for selection. The latter would replace Elworthy on a turning surface.
An all-time international XI of Steves
Yes, England were beaten by a whopping 329 runs at the WACA, getting bowled out for 123 (Craig McDermott 6/38) in the fourth innings.
England's match-winners at the Adelaide Oval over the years
That certainly seems like an extraordinary match. Thanks for the snippet.
Blast from the past: A wonder at the WACA
Thanks beepee, glad you liked it.
You are correct; Ogilvie was always known by his second name David.
Blast from the past: A wonder at the WACA
That surely was a special innings. Something to cheer about for the Windies on an otherwise forgettable tour.
Blast from the past: A wonder at the WACA
Hi Kersi, glad you liked it. Indeed, Christchurch would make for a perfect venue:)
Cricket's Christmas XI
Thanks, Kersi. Nice to hear from you. Indeed, it was a historic moment that has become quite forgotten over the years.
Revisiting India's first ever win against Australia
Cheers, Anindya. Glad you liked it.
Revisiting India's first ever win against Australia
Yes. The lack of Associates this time is frustrating. There ought to be at least 14 teams to constitute a World Cup in its true sense.
Associate nations at the World Cup: Part 2