Amazing and Interesting Facts about Cricket World Cups
Now-a-days we are enjoying the ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP 2011, which is at its full swing. The matches really have been an excellent treat to the viewers of the ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP. Being flattened by this show-stopper ‘Cricket World Cup’, I think its time to recall some of the great memories from some previous Cricket World Cups as well.
Not only had this World cup brought us some great cricket moments. Those previous ICC Cricket World Cups also have some amazing facts in them, which are really interesting to read. I have compiled some of the most amazing 'Facts about Cricket World Cups'.
FACTS ABOUT THE CRICKET WORLD CUPS:
Let’s read and know some of the most amazing moments or facts of the ICC Cricket World Cups.
1. The very first World Cup in the history of cricket was held in 1975 in England.
2. The first three World Cups were hosted by England.
3. The 4th ICC Cricket World Cup that was held in 1987 was co-hosted by India and Pakistan.
4. The 5th ICC Cricket World Cup (1992) was the first one to be held in the Southern Hemisphere, co-hosted by Austrlia in New Zealand.
5. The 1992 Cricket World Cup proved to be a platform for many of the changes in ODI cricket, many of those changings are still applicable in the modern day cricket.
6. Some of the important changes there were introduced in the 1992 Cricket World Cup were ‘White Cricket Ball’ and ‘Colored Clothings’. Prior to this World Cup, all matches were played with traditional white clothes and red balls.
7. Pakistan Cricket Team won the 1992 World Cup (The only ODI Cricket World Cup won by Pakistani Cricket Team) after a dismal start in the event, they looked unstoppable. They beat England in the final by 22 runs.
8. The 1992 Cricket World Cup was also the first tournament to feature and African Test Nation i.e. South Africa.
9. The 1996 Cricket World Cup was co-hosted by Srilanka, India and Pakistan. Moreover, SriLanka became the first HOST to win the World Cup.
10. The win of Srilanka was a really memorable one, because Australia and West Indies both refused to play the matches against Srilanka IN Srilanka due to security concerns. These matches were awarded to Srilanka by default. Later, Srilanka was again rewarded with the Semi-Final victory against India because of crowd rights. This led Srilanka to finals against Australia, where Australia tasted defeat, and Srilanka won their first ever Cricket World Cup :D
11. Australia is the only team to win 4 ICC Cricket World Cups (the most by any other team)
12. Australia has not lost any match after the defeat in the 1999 world cup match against Pakistan.
13. Australia took the revenge of the match by defeating Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup Final.
14. Australia is the only team to remain unbeaten in any ODI WORLD CUP (2003). This feat was repeated again the ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP 2007, where Australia remained unbeaten.
15. Australia won the 2003 World Cup by defeating India in the final match by 125 runs. In which, Australia bundled a massive total of 359 runs, while the Australian skipper Ricky Ponting topped the board with 140 runs not out. India was folded to 234 runs. G.McGrath took 3 wickets.
16. The 2007 World Cup was held in the West Indies from 13 March to April 18, 2007.
17. One of the biggest upset in the 2007 World Cup was Ireland beating Pakistan in a group match, knocking Pakistan out of the tournament.
18. The shock was too much for the Pakistani Coach – Bob Woolmer. His dead body found the next day in his hotel room.
19. Australia met Srilanka AGAIN (after 1996) in a final of an ICC Cricket World Cup match.
20. This was Srilanka’s 2nd appearance in a World Cup final’s match, while it was Australia’s 6th appearance in a World Cup final match, and 4th in a row.
21. After the rain interrupted the final match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, the game was reduced to 38 overs per side.
22. A.Gilchrist played the innings of a lifetime, smashed 149 runs. This was the highest score by any batsman in a World Cup final match.
23. Australia won the final match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, and won the tournament undefeated and untouched, completing the winning streak of 29 world cup matches without tasting any defeat.
24. G.McGrath of Australia was announced ‘Man of the Series’ of the 2007 Cricket World Cup and he later retired from the International Cricket.
25. The ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP 2011 was supposed to be co-hosted by Pakistan, Srilanka, Bangladesh and India, but due to some sad moments and concerns, Pakistan’s right to host the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 was revoked.
26. Pakistan - The unpredictables shown that when they are on song, they can beat any side in the field. Australia was last defeated in 1999 World Cup by Pakistan, and after 12 years remaining unbeaten, having a winning streak of 34 matches, in 2011 World Cup Group A's last match, Pakistan again beat Australia to end the 34 matches winning streak.
27. Australia struck only 10 fours in its inning, while Pakistan struck 21 fours in their chase.
28. Brett Lee was on fire in that match, hunting 4 scalps at the burden of 28 runs. This was his best ODI figures against Pakistan.
29. Pakistan beat West Indies by 10 wickets with a clinical performance in batting, bowling and fielding, and qualified all the way to the Semi-Final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
30. Pakistani's varied spin bowling proved too much for the West Indians. West Indies were all bowled out for 112 runs.
31. West Indies' 112 runs were their third lowest total in World Cups. Their lowest score is 93 vs Kenya in Pune (1996).
32. Pakistan successfully chased the target of 113 runs without even losing a wicket, making this as their 3rd victory without losing any wicket.
33. After tasting defeat by the hands of Pakistan, Australia lost their next match (Quarter Final) against India in a nail-biting match.
34. Australia got knocked out before Finals after 4 consecutive World Cups.
35. As Australia got knocked out before the Semi-Finals, Pakistan equalized the record of being qualified in 6 World Cup Semi-finals, along with Australia.
36. In ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Shahid Afridi, the Pakistani Captain, created a record of having 4 or more wickets, in more than 4 World Cup matches.
37 Yuvraj Singh, the Indian All-rounder, shined in the World Cup 2011, and was named 'Man Of the Match' for 4 consecutive matches, for his phenomenal performances.
