The 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup was the 9th edition of cricket’s showpiece event which was held in the West Indies from March 13 to April 28. A total of 51 matches were played in the tournament. As many as 16 teams were part of the 2007 edition, which was among the most disappointing World Cups ever held. Among the 16 sides were the ten Test-playing nations – Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Zimbabwe. The six associate members who featured in the event were – Bermuda, Canada, Kenya, Ireland, Netherlands and Scotland.
The format of the 2007 edition was altered slightly from the previous editions. The 16 sides were divided into four groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each of these groups then progressed to the next round – the super eights, which replaced the super sixes. India and Pakistan were shockingly knocked out in the group stage itself, losing to Bangladesh and Ireland respectively. Australia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, South Africa, England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland progressed to the super eights. Australia’s Matthew Hayden (659) was the top run-scorer and Glenn McGrath (26) claimed most wickets.
Semi-final 1: Sri Lanka took on New Zealand in the first semi-final at Jamaica. The Lankans batted first, and put up a healthy 289 for 5 on the board. Skipper Mahela Jayawardene led the way with an unbeaten 115 from 109 balls. Opener Upul Tharanga made 73 from 74 balls. With the middle-order chipping in with quick cameos, the Lankans managed to finish their innings on a high. In response, New Zealand never got going. Opener Peter Fulton top-scored with 46, and three other bowlers got to 30s, but Muttiah Muralitharan’s four-for kept them down to 208.
Semi-final 2: Australia and South Africa met again in the semis, this time at St Lucia. South Africa chose to bat, but choked under pressure again. Justin Kemp made an unbeaten 49, and Herschelle Gibbs chipped in with 39, but the South Africans were rolled over for a disappointing 149. Shaun Tait claimed four wickets for the Aussies, and Glenn McGrath picked up three. The Aussies got home easily, with Michael Clarke making an unbeaten 60, and Hayden contributing 41 at the top of the order. The win meant Australia had made their fourth consecutive World Cup final.
The final: Australia batted first after winning the toss in the final at Bridgetown. Adam Gilchrist almost single-handedly took the Aussies to their hat-trick of World Cup wins. He smashed 149 from 104 balls with 13 fours and 8 sixes as the Australia made 281 for 4 in the match reduced to 38 overs. Sri Lanka were given a revised target of 269 from 36 overs. Jayasuriya and Sangakkara made half-centuries to keep Lanka’s hopes alive. But, once they were dismissed Lanka lost the plot. The match finished in near darkness as Australia won by 53 runs.
Gilchrist was man of the match and McGrath was the man of the series.
--By A Cricket Analyst
