The World Cup was getting bigger with every edition and if 1999 saw 12 teams, 2003 was even bigger with 14 teams. Unfortunately, what did not change from 1999 was the format of the tournament. The Super Sixes remained only with some minor 'tweaks' as to how the points from the previous round would be carried forward. All in all, it was still a bit confusing!

As was the case in 1996 in Sri Lanka, there was political trouble in Zimbabwe and Kenya this time and as a result, England and New Zealand each forfeited one match. This would eventually knock some teams out allowing Zimbabwe and Kenya to go through to the Super Sixes and even the semi-finals. More controversies dogged the event with the Indian team refusing to play if the players' personal sponsors were not allowed to be displayed by the ICC. Shane Warne tested positive for a banned diuretic and was sent back home… but the most significant of all controversies were protests by Andy Flower and Henry Olonga. They both sported black armbands "mourning the death of democracy in Zimbabwe".

Once the smoke screen was lifted and the cricket started, there were plenty of disappointments. There were far too many weak countries who could contribute precious little to the goings-on and their presence only bloated the schedule adding to the number of matches (a total of 52 were played in 6 weeks!).

South Africa kicked off the tournament playing the West Indies and lost! Most, however, believed this was a minor setback. Unfortunately for South Africa, this loss, coupled with a calculation error later against Sri Lanka would cost them their future in the tournament. Riding high on a superb 116 by Brian Lara, the West Indies posted a competitive 279. South Africa had been docked one over and needed to achieve the target in 49 overs. Despite good innings by Kirsten (69), Boucher (49) and Klusener (57 from 48b), South Africa fell 3 runs short of the target. The West Indies had perhaps stunned themselves more than the South Africans!

For South Africa, though, normal service resumed as they went on to win against Kenya, New Zealand, Bangladesh and Canada with consummate ease. Herschelle Gibbs hit a purple patch as he racked up scores of 87, 143, 49* and 8. In their last group match against Sri Lanka, South Africa needed to win to ensure they went through to the next round. In a rain shortened game, South Africa was set 230 to win in 45 overs. Off the last ball they faced, though, a calculation mistake (they needed one more run to win) saw them tie the match and get knocked out! Gibbs was once again the star for SA with 73 while Marvan Atapattu (124) and Aravinda de Silva (73) were the stars for Sri Lanka.

The other matches in Pool B went according to form with the exception of Sri Lanka's loss to Kenya. That was one of the biggest upsets of the tournament and also a wake-up call to Sri Lanka. New Zealand boycotted their match in Kenya on grounds of security, lost to Sri Lanka, but still managed to make it through to the Super Sixes. The West Indies were perhaps the unluckiest of all teams. They beat South Africa in the opening match and New Zealand's boycott of their match against Kenya plus a rained off game against Bangladesh that they would definitely have won cost them a spot in the next round. Instead of the West Indies, it was Kenya who sneaked into the next round. Two of the four major teams-South Africa and West Indies-had failed to advance beyond the first round and cricket on the field had little to do with it.

In Pool A, Australia started strong and continued the trend with big wins over India, Pakistan, England and Zimbabwe. India had a poor start to the tournament being bowled out for 204 by the Netherlands and a loss to Australia, but soon managed to regroup and came back very strongly.

India's match against Pakistan was one of the highlights of the tournament. Chasing 274 to win, the start they got thanks to the explosive pair of Tendulkar and Sehwag has become part of cricketing folklore! The cut shots over thirdman for six, the hammering given to Shoaib Akhtar, and Wasim Akram's famous words to Shahid Afridi asking him if he knew who's catch he had dropped (he had dropped Tendulkar when he was in the 30s) have all become legend! None of the other matches, though lived up to billing and thanks to the presence of four minor sides, there were too many one-sided matches.

Australia, India and Zimbabwe made it through to the next round. Zimbabwe, though, made it by virtue of England's forfeiture. The abandoned Zimbabwe-Pakistan match also helped Zimbabwe get two crucial points and halt England's progress in the bargain!

The Australian juggernaut continued to roll in the Super Sixes as they waylaid Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Kenya. Their match against New Zealand was an astounding one that saw Brett Lee pick up 5 wickets in 15 balls and halt New Zealand in their tracks! Kenya surprised Zimbabwe and just that one win coupled with the carried forward points from the first round were enough to see them through to the semi-finals. Sri Lanka made a last minute scramble into the semi-final with a win over Zimbabwe. More fallacies in the format had been exposed.

Australia played Sri Lanka in the first semi-final and a fine 91 by Andrew Symonds saw them reach the safety of 212/7. Some excellent new ball bowling by Chaminda Vaas had them in trouble but Brett Lee returned the compliment picking up 3/35 to restrict Sri Lanka to 123/7 in 38.1 overs (the target was a revised 172 in 38.1). India was never in any trouble against Kenya and coasted into the final with a 91-run win.

The final that promised so much between the two best teams in the tournament effectively ended in the first over by Zaheer Khan. Nerves got the better of the Indian bowling attack that had done exceptionally well until then as they conceded a record 359 runs. The target was always going to be too much and India was bowled out for 234 in 39.2 overs. Ricky Ponting, who said he had saved his best for last, led the savage assault scoring an unbeaten 140 (121b) while Damien Martyn and Adam Gilchrist contributed with 88* and 57 respectively. For India, Virender Sehwag's fiery 82 was the only highlight but the result was always a foregone conclusion. Maybe this time, someone may be able to overhaul such a total by Australia!

Australia was without doubt the best team of the tournament and with their win in 2003 became the only country to win the cup thrice. India was second best and the only consolation for them could be that both their losses in the tournament were to Australia.

The 2003 World Cup also sounded the end of a lot of careers with Aravinda de Silva, Shane Warne, Carl Hooper, Allan Donald, Jonty Rhodes, and Javagal Srinath announcing retirements soon after.

As the 2007 World Cup looms large, Australia look like a team with some problems to address and there is a good chance that they may not be able to defend their title a second time around. But 2003 was all Australia.

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