Even though first offcial cricket match was held between Engalnd and Australia in 19th century, it took 100 years for Cricket organisers to conduct a world cup, 45 years after inagural FIFA world cup. Emergence of one day cricket facilitated the conduction of cricket world cup.  Emergence of T20 Cricket casted shadows on the one day cricket.  2011 Cricket World Cup format:  14 teams are divided into 2 groups of 7 teams each. Top 4 teams from each group will reach quarterfinals/knockout round.  Highlights of ICC Cricket World cup:  1. Cricket world cup is conducted once in 4 years.  2. First 3 world cups were held in England and all are 60 over matches.  3. Reliance World cup in 1987 showed commercial potential of  cricket.   First world cup: 1975 in England. West Indies emerged as champions as expected.  Second world cup: 1979 in England. Clyve Lloyd's West Indians thrashed everyone.  Third word cup: 1983 in England. Indian cricket lovers will never forget the glorious moment. Who can forget Kapil's heroic 175 against Zimbabwe?  Fourth World cup: 1987 in India. This is a significant event in cricket history. Australia never looked back after winning Reliance World cup. Commercialism entered into cricket arena and fortunes of cricketers changed forever.  Fifth World cup: 1991-92 in Australia-New Zealand. Who can forget Imran Khan and his heroes?  Sixth World cup: 1996 in India-Pakistan. Arjun Ranatunga's Sri Lankans are unstoppable in this world cup.  Seventh world cup: 1999 in England. Unforgettable comeback by Steve Waugh's … [Read more...]