2007 Cricket World Cup

2007 Cricket World Cup
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Name	2007 Cricket World Cup
Caption	Official logo
Dates	13 March – 28 April 2007
Administrator	International Cricket Council
Cricket format	One Day International
Tournament format	Round-robin and knockout
Host	WIN
Champions	AUS
Participants	16
Matches	51
Attendance	672,000
Player of the series	Glenn McGrath
Most runs	Matthew Hayden (659)
Most wickets	Glenn McGrath (26)

2007 Cricket World Cup was the ninth edition of the premier international championship for One Day International cricket. Co-hosted by nine nations across the West Indies, the tournament was organized by the International Cricket Council and featured a record 16 participating teams. The competition was ultimately won by Australia, who defeated Sri Lanka in a rain-affected final at Kensington Oval in Barbados to claim their third consecutive title and fourth overall.

Background and qualification

The International Cricket Council awarded hosting rights for the ninth World Cup to the collective nations of the West Indies Cricket Board in 2001. The qualification process, which began in 2005, involved a series of regional tournaments and the 2005 ICC Trophy in Ireland, which served as the primary pathway for Associate nations. The top five teams from the previous 2003 Cricket World Cup—Australia, India, Kenya, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe—gained automatic entry. They were joined by the ten Full Members and the champion, Bermuda, and runner-up, Canada, from the ICC Trophy.

Participating teams and squads

The 16 qualified teams were divided into four groups of four for the initial stage. The groups featured established cricketing powers like Australia, captained by Ricky Ponting, and South Africa, led by Graeme Smith. Other notable squads included India under Rahul Dravid, Pakistan captained by Inzamam-ul-Haq, and the host consortium, the West Indies cricket team, led by Brian Lara. The tournament also included debutants Bermuda and Netherlands, while Ireland and Scotland returned after long absences.

Venues and format

Matches were staged across eight countries in the Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago. Primary stadiums included the newly constructed Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, and the Providence Stadium in Guyana. The tournament format began with a group stage, where the top two teams from each group advanced to the Super 8 phase, a round-robin contest. The top four teams from the Super 8 then progressed to the semi-finals, followed by the final.

Tournament summary

The group stage was marred by the tragic death of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer in Jamaica, which cast a shadow over the event. On the field, a major shock occurred when Ireland defeated Pakistan, leading to Pakistan's elimination and India's early exit after losses to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Australia dominated the Super 8 stage, remaining unbeaten. The semi-finals saw Australia defeat South Africa in Saint Lucia, while Sri Lanka overcame New Zealand in Kingston.

Results and statistics

In the final at Kensington Oval, Australia posted 281/4, with Adam Gilchrist scoring a rapid 149. Sri Lanka's innings, led by Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara, was interrupted by rain and bad light, leading to a revised target under the Duckworth–Lewis method. Sri Lanka fell short, finishing at 215/8, granting Australia a 53-run victory. Glenn McGrath was named Player of the Tournament for his 26 wickets, while Matthew Hayden's 659 runs set a then-record for a single World Cup. Herschelle Gibbs made history by hitting six sixes in an over against Netherlands.

Legacy and aftermath

The tournament's elongated format and early exits of India and Pakistan led to widespread criticism and a significant drop in television viewership in South Asia. In response, the International Cricket Council contracted the next 2011 Cricket World Cup to 14 teams and revised the format to ensure more competitive matches. The event is also remembered for the commercial disputes involving the International Cricket Council and broadcasters. The success of Ireland and Bangladesh accelerated discussions about expanding the game's elite tier.

Category:2007 Cricket World Cup Category:2007 in cricket Category:Cricket World Cup Category:International cricket competitions hosted by the West Indies Category:2007 in West Indian sport