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by Will Luke
April 29, 2007
A portent of things to come? It was what the tournament most craved, what West Indies most needed a winning start for the hosts. Dwayne Smiths 3 for 36 did just that, felling Pakistan by 54 runs.
Larger than life. Dwayne Leverock was an unlikely early star of the tournament, but Sri Lanka routed Bermuda for just 78 in their first match, fuelling the critics insistence that minnows offered little to the Cup.
Where Bermuda failed, Ireland succeeded with noise, belief and verve. Their thrilling tie against Zimbabwe, in what was Irelands debut in World Cups, began their successful tournament played out by a team clearly overjoyed to be representing their country...
...and the enjoyment their cricketers showed on the pitch was matched (and in some cases bettered) by their exuberant fans in the stands
All alone. Kevin Pietersen was Englands standout batsman throughout their Caribbean calamity but one man could not a team make. New Zealand began the World Cup strongly, starting with this six-wicket win over England.
Minnows no more. Bangladeshs fabulous trouncing of crickets powerhouse, India, was started by Mushrafe Mortaza...
...helped on its way by Tamim Iqbals ferocious 53-ball 51...
...and finished up, in style, by Mushfiqur Rahim. India were humbled; the tournament was alive
Leverocks stunning one-handed catch to dismiss Robin Uthappa was just about Bermudas only memorable performance during a pitiful World Cup campaign. India showed just who was boss with a 257-run walloping. It was the largest margin in one-day history.
Another game, another shock. Ireland, again, were underestimated by a listless Pakistan who were beaten by three wickets sending them out of the World Cup. The win was, and will forever be, overshadowed by the death of Pakistans coach, Bob Woolmer, who was found dead in his hotel room less than 24 hours later.
Players held a minutes silence in the days following Woolmers death
Look at the eyes; the eyes have it. Muttiah Muralitharan sparked into life with a devastating spell (in every sense of the word) of 3 for 41 in Sri Lankas hammering of India.
Matthew Haydens ominous power and consistency was the tournaments hallmark. His fierce 66-ball hundred against South Africa was the Cups fastest...
...but Graeme Smith threatened to chase down 378 single handedly with a brilliant 74 from 69 while AB de Villiers cracked an even racier 92 from just 70. South Africas middle and lower order capitulated and Australia had struck the first big psychological blow to one of the fancied finalists.
But South Africa crept home against Sri Lanka, albeit snatching victory from the jaws of defeat owing to Lasith Malingas remarkable four wickets in four balls. South Africa only needed four runs with five wickets remaining before Malinga ran through their middle and lower order
before Robin Peterson hit the winning runs, prompting wild celebrations not entirely in keeping with a match South Africa were cruising. Eyebrows continued to be raised over their mental frailties for the rest of the tournament.
Ireland continued their promising campaign with a 74-run win over Bangladesh in the match which, so their fans hoped, would be between India and Pakistan before both were earlier knocked out of the competition.
The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium is a fine piece of architecture - a shame about the surroundings
Dilhara Fernando demonstrated the steel in Sri Lankas squad with 3 for 41, downing England in a match they appeared to be in control of.
More giant-killing from Bangladesh, walloping South Africa by 67 runs. Mohammad Ashraful began the carnage with 87 in Bangladeshs impressive (but by no means insurmountable) 251 for 8
before Abdur Razzaq took 3 for 25 to dismiss South Africa for a paltry 184.
Where is everyone? Far from involving the locals, the tournament excluded them via the exorbitant ticket prices
Brian Lara announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket and was treated to one last thriller against England who, in both sides final match of the tournament, won by a single wicket, but he fell for just 18.
He was greeted to a rapturous farewell by his fans though.
Sri Lanka proved their dominance in the first semi-final against New Zealand, with Mahela Jayawardene stroking a sublime 115 from just 109 to take his side to 289 for 5.
And with four wickets from Muralitharan, Sri Lanka were into the final. Would they play Australia, in a repeat of the 1996 tournament, or South Africa?
What was he thinking? The pre-match talk revolved around South Africas mental frailities, especially in semi-finals and so it proved. Even Jacques Kallis, their wall, couldnt cope with the pressure, backing away disastrously to Glenn McGrath. With Shaun Taits 4 for 39 cutting through South Africas top and middle order, Australia dismissed them for a feeble 149.
At last. The final, between Australia and Sri Lanka
But the rain forced everyone to wait yet longer.
And when it did get underway, the crowd were treated to a one-day gem of an innings: Adam Gilchrists brilliant 149 was the highest individual score in a World Cup final, leading Australia to an imposing 281 for 4 from 38 overs.
And though Kumar Sangakkara briefly threatened, in his assault of 54, the rain again came tumbling down, leaving Sri Lankas hopes in the hands of Duckworth Lewis. They went off, they came back on, and not even the umpires knew what Sri Lankas target was.
But at last, Australia's win was confirmed
Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden savour victory
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