World cup has a significance in most of the cricket followers’ lives. Apart from the players and coaches, the entire world stands with the team and cheers. World cup cricket provides an opportunity to witness some of the greatest games, boost the economy, and may often link to important events in the family.
ICC
The International Cricket Council monitors and administers the cricket worldwide. The World Cup is a greatest event in the cricket and the cup is prestigious. Since 1975, the world cup has been entertaining audiences and encouraging players. The players and teams have official sponsors and promotions.
ICC regulates the rules for the games. They monitor and approve the players, playing conditions, the grounds, umpires, the decision Review Systems, Code of conduct, and other key aspects of the cricket games. All the 105 member countries abide to the rules and participate in the greatest game. The ICC also governs women’s cricket, test matches, twenty-twenty matches, apart from the one day internationals.
World Cup 2011
In 2011, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka are hosting the games. The opening ceremony was in Dhaka, Bangladesh with amazing presentations and performances from regional and international artists. The official maskot, Stumpie, the elephant and the official song, ‘De Ghumake’ by Shankar, Ehsaan, and Loy are the favorites this year.
This year fourteen countries are competing in the world cup. The teams include:
| Group A | Captain | Coach |
| New Zealand | Daniel Vettori | John Wright |
| Sri Lanka | Kumar Sangakkara | Trevor Bayliss |
| Canada | Ashish Bagai | Pubudu Dassanayake |
| Kenya | Jimmy Kamande | Eldine Baptiste |
| Australia | Ricky Ponting | Tim Nielsen |
| Pakistan | Shahid Afridi | Waqar Younis |
| Zimbabwe | Elton Chigumbura | Alan Butcher |
| Group B | Captain | Coach |
| India | MS Dhoni | Gary Kirsten |
| Bangladesh | Shakib Al Hasan | Jamie Siddons |
| England | Andrew Strauss | Andy Flower |
| Ireland | William Porterfield | Phil Simmons |
| Netherlands | Peter Borren | Peter Drinnen |
| South Africa | Graeme Smith | Corrie van Zyl |
| West Indies | Darren Sammy | Ottis Gibson |
The teams are rated based on certain points and the top four from each group compete for the quarter finals. After four quarter finals and two semi-finals, the top two compete for the finals in Mumbai, India on April 2nd this year.
Many viewers visit the stadiums and billions of viewers view the games through the television channels or internet broadcasts. ESPN Star Sports is the major broadcaster apart from other providers. All the cricketers are in their good shapes and spirits to fight and win the world cup despite their differences and injuries. 🙂
The world cup winners so far are:
- 1975 – West Indies
- 1979 – West Indies
- 1983 – India
- 1987 – Australia
- 1992 – Pakistan
- 1996 – Sri Lanka
- 1999 – Australia
- 2003 – Australia
- 2007 – Australia
Who do you think will win this year? 🙂