2003 Cricket World Cup
Australia's third World Cup triumph, won with an undefeated record, making them the second team to win three World Cups.
The 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup was the eighth Cricket World Cup, co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya from 9 February to 23 March 2003. It was the first World Cup played in Africa, featuring 14 teams—the largest number at the time—playing 54 matches. The tournament followed the format introduced in 1999, with two groups and the top three from each advancing to the Super Sixes stage.
Quick Facts
- Year
- 2003
- Captain
- Ricky Ponting
- Matches won
- 11 (Undefeated)
- Final opponent
- India
- Final venue
- Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
- Result
- Champions
Lore & Background
Australia won the tournament, winning all 11 of their matches, and beat India in the final at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. This was Australia's third World Cup win, making them the second team to achieve that feat after the West Indies, who had won two earlier. Shane Warne was sent home in disgrace after testing positive for a banned substance. Host South Africa was eliminated in the group stage; Pakistan and England were eliminated in the group stage, while West Indies advanced to the Super Sixes. England forfeited their match with Zimbabwe due to political unrest, but Zimbabwe also won other group matches to help secure their place in the Super Sixes. New Zealand forfeited their match with Kenya for security reasons, but Kenya also won other matches to help reach the semi-finals—the only non-Test-playing nation to do so. Shoaib Akhtar set a world record for fastest delivery, bowling 161.3 km/h (100.23 mph) in a pool match against England.
Reader's Guide
The 14 teams were divided into two groups of seven; the top three from each group qualified for the Super Sixes, carrying forward results against other qualifiers. The top four in the Super Sixes advanced to the semi-finals. Australia defeated Sri Lanka in the first semi-final, and India defeated Kenya in the second. In the final, Australia scored 359/2 in 50 overs, their then-highest ODI total, and bowled India out for 234 to win by 125 runs. Ricky Ponting was named Man of the Match, and Sachin Tendulkar was Player of the Series.
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