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1996 saw yet another format change in the World Cup. The 1992 set-up allowed no participation from non-Test playing teams now that Zimbabwe had been granted full Test status, so the tournament was expanded. The preliminary rounds were in two groups of 6, with 8 teams advancing to quarter finals. This meant that three teams qualified via the ICC Trophy, held in Kenya for the first time. The host team Kenya advanced to the semi-finals, eliminating Bangladesh on the way, and were joined there by the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands and Bermuda. The Kenyans and UAE booked a world cup berth by winning their semi-finals, and the Netherlands joined them after roundly beating Bermuda in the 3rd place play-off. The tournament was not without controversy, as the United Arab Emirates team largely consisted of recent immigrants from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, with only their captain Sultan Zarawani being born in the country. As the Wisden report on the tournament stated "a widespread suspicion lingered amongst opponents that the Emirates' real triumph was over the tournament 4-year residential rule".

The main tournament returned to Asia, with the games spread over three countries, India, Pakistan and the newcomer, Sri Lanka. The pre-tournament lead up was overshadowed by security concerns, particularly on the part of the Australian side. Members of their squad had been involved in much publicized accusations of match fixing by Pakistani players. Sri Lanka was also undergoing internal political turmoil, with threats of disruption by the Tamil rebel groups, and after a massive bomb blast in Colombo (killing 80) in late January, the Australian team decided that they would forfeit their preliminary round matches in Sri Lanka rather than travel there. The West Indies board followed suit a week later, leaving the tournament in tatters before it even started.

Group A:-

Group A consisted of Australia, India, Kenya, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Zimbabwe, with Sri Lanka already assured of two wins through the forfeits by Australia and the West Indies. The group got off to an undistinguished start with the West Indies defeating Zimbabwe in a match marked by some good bowling, and a sparkling innings by Lara (43 off 31 balls). Curtley Ambrose started of with a 9 ball over, but once settled down was too much for the Zimbabwe batsmen, his 3/28 earning him the man of the match award. Paul Strang made a more than useful debut, taking 4 wickets, but Lara's belligerence took West Indies to a 6 wicket win with 20 overs to spare.

India got their tournament underway with a match at Cuttack against the newcomers, Kenya, who showed there were not to be taken lightly. Batting first Steve Tikolo (65) and Maurice Odumbe had little trouble with a mediocre Indian seam attack, putting on 96 for the 3rd wicket. Kumble put on the brakes in the last 10 overs, and India were set 200 to win. This rapidly became a formality, as Tendulkar was in imperious form, making a magnificent 127* off 134 balls, Jadeja contributing only 53 to a 163 opening partnership.

Sri Lanka's first World Cup match on home soil was against their fellow newcomers on the Test scene, Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe batsmen made a better face of things, led by Campbell's elegant and assured 75. The crowd were delighted to see cricket, after the forfeit by Australia, and threats of rain, and Zimbabwe recovered well after losing both Flower brothers to run outs. Sri Lanka made a poor start, losing both openers for 23 runs, but De Silva (91 from only 86 balls) and Gurusinha took the total to 195 before the next wicket fell. de Silva in particular was severe on some wayward bowling, and Gurusinha hit a record 6 sixes, their partnership being a record for any wicket for Sri Lanka. Zimbabwe tried hard in the field, but had no answer to this barrage, and Sri Lanka won with 13 overs to spare.

The India - West Indies match brought the two premier batsman of the game together, Lara and Tendulkar. honours went to Tendulkar, and India. Lara fell for only 2, albeit to a somewhat questionable decision, and Tendulkar (helped by being dropped twice) made a typical 70, leading India to a 5 wicket victory. West Indies had batted poorly against good bowling from Srinath, Kumble and Kapoor, Richardson leading the way with 47. Ambrose cut into the Indian innings with two quick wickets, but Tendulkar and Azharuddin re-built the innings. The match was still in the balance after Tendulkar was run out, and Azharuddin gifted his wicket away, but Mongia and Kambli guided India to victory.

After forfeiting their first match, Australia started the tournament against Kenya, and the Waugh twins made hay against the Kenyan bowlers. After losing two early wickets, they put on 207 (a World Cup record partnership for the 3rd wicket), Mark making a superb 130, and Steve 82, taking the Australians to a 300 plus total. In reply the Kenyans did well after losing two quick wickets. Otiento contributing 85, battling cramps in the latter part of a brave innings, and their captain Maurice Odumbe a half century. They were unable to keep up with the run rate, however, and Australia won easily, although not before losing McDermott with a torn calf muscle.

Kenya made a great start to their game against Zimbabwe, having their fellow Africans reeling at 45/3 before the rain fell, and the game was abandoned, to be replayed the next day. They were less successful in this game, with their batting failing against Bryan (2/24) and Paul (5/21) Strang , but they made Zimbabwe work hard to overtake their score of 134, losing 5 wickets in the process.

Bombay was the site of a much anticipated encounter between India and Australia, with the home crowd eager to see their local hero Tendulkar continue his fine form. They had to wait however, as the Australians batted first. Taylor and Mark Waugh went after the bowling from the start, Taylor in particular being harsh on some poor bowling, making 59 out of a century opening partnership. Mark Waugh continued, playing an elegant, orthodox innings, and completing his second successive hundred at close to a run a ball. He received some support from Law, but the innings ended in farce with 4 run outs, and four wickets falling in the final over. Fleming had australia off to a great start, removing Jadeja and Kambli with only 7 runs on the board, but then Tendulkar took up the gauntlet in spectacular fashion. Mixing improvisation with the orthodox his 90 off only 84 balls looked to be taking India to victory until he was stumped off a wide from Mark Waugh. Warne was too much for the Indian lower order and Australia won a game full of excitement by 16 runs.

Kenya faced the West Indies in Pune, and the game seemed to be following a predictable course when the Kenyan batting had no answer to the West Indies pace bowlers. Extras were the top score in their 166, as indisciplined bowling gave away too many wides and no-balls, and the last two wickets added what turned out to be a vital 40 runs. The West Indies were immediately tied down by some tight bowling and superb fielding. The critical blow fell when Lara fell to Ali for only 8. Captain Maurice Odumbe kept the pressure on, taking 3/15 off 10 overs, and the West Indies collapsed to 93 all out, with 15 overs remaining, and Kenya had an unexpected, historic and sensational win. It was the 4th win by an ICC associate over a full member country, and the West Indies' second lowest total in one-days.

Zimbabwe would have had hopes of emulating Kenya and pulling off an upset, when Andy Waller, called up as a last minute replacement from his farm, set about the Australian bowling. These hopes were ill-founded, however, as Shane Warne ran through the middle order, earning the man of the match award for his 4/34. Streak and Paul Strang bowled economically, but Mark Waugh continued in superlative form, making 76* to follow his two hundreds, and Australia won by 8 wickets.

Two of the hosts met in Delhi, and the other heralded batsman of the tournament, Tendulkar, made a sparkling 137 at a run a ball, and supported by Azharuddin (72), India set what seemed to be an intimidating total of 271, losing only 3 wickets. The Sri Lanka openers, however, showed the methods that proved to be so successful in this tournament of going all out from the start, taking advantage of the fielding restrictions in the first 15 overs. Led by Jayasuriya (79 off 76 balls), the score was 117/2 at the end of fielding restrictions, with Prabakhar hit for 33 off two overs. Ranatunga (46*) and Tillekeratne (70*) then steered Sri Lanka to what was an easy win, pushing singles, taking few risks but always well up with the scoring rate. Sri Lanka assured themselves of topping the group, and remained un-beaten, whilst India were left at 2-2 and a likely 3rd place.

The West Indies re-bounded from the embarrassing defeat by Kenya to book a place in the quarter-finals, defeating Australia, as both their batting and bowling hit form. Ambrose and Walsh bowled testing opening spells (only 35 runs coming from the first 15 overs), and Mark Waugh failed (in fact batting well for his 30). Ponting, with a well paced century, and Steve Waugh (57) staged a recovery, but the innings ended in a flurry of run outs. However given the West Indies form a target of 230 seemed adequate, especially after two early wickets. However, Lara played an innings that reflected his class and captain Richie Richardson made a fine 93* (his highest personal score in 5 years), winning the man of the match award. Mark Waugh impressed with the ball (3/38) but West Indies won with 7 balls to spare.

India needed a win against Zimbabwe, and this they accomplished, albeit not without a few concerns. Zimbabwe reduced them to 32/3, with the prized wicket of Tendulkar falling to Streak for just 3. Sidhu (80) and Kambli (106) led a recovery, putting on 142 for the 4th wicket. Dropped on 8 Kambli's century was marked by some fine strokes, and towards the end some big hits. A late flourish by Jadeja (44 off 27 balls) took India to 247. Zimbabwe got off to a good start, but as in so many of their games, the batting failed, with no-one able to build a good innings, and they fell 40 runs short. Zimbabwe went home with just one win, not doing themselves justice, and India advanced to a quarter final against their arch-rivals, Pakistan.

Already assured of first place in the group, the Sri Lankans massacred the Kenyan bowlers, setting records for highest totals in World Cups, and all one-day internationals. Jayasuriya and Kaluwitharana put on 83 runs off just 40 balls, the first 50 off only 20 balls, and then Gurusinha (80) and de Silva (145 from 155 balls, with 5 sixes) took over. Gurusinha and de Silva put on 184, de Silva becoming the first Sri Lankan to score a century in World Cups. Ranatunga chipped in with 75*, and Kenya faced an impossible 399 to win. Steve Tikolo made a classy 95 at close to a run a ball, but Kenya were never close.

Thus Sri Lanka topped the table in the preliminary round, unbeaten, followed closely by Australia and India, with the West Indies barely qualifying fourth. The Kenyans departed after showing that they were not to be taken lightly, and leaving memories of their stunning defeat of the West Indies.

Group B:-

Group B had one host nation, Pakistan, along with three other Test playing nations (England, New Zealand and South Africa), and two ICC associate teams (the Netherlands and UAE). The four Test playing nations appeared to have an easy route to the quarter-finals. The hosts, Pakistan, made a delayed entry into the competition, playing their first game 10 days after the start of group play, after the end of Ramadan.

England came to the World Cup after a dismal one-day series in South Africa, and their poor form continued. Dropped on one (the first of four dropped catches by England), Nathan Astle made a fine century, dominating the England bowlers with some classy stroke play. New Zealand seemed set for a big total, but made only 43 off the last 10 overs, setting England 240 to win. Hick came in after Atherton fell early (Atherton remained as a runner for hick, who had strained a hamstring), and he and Stewart made an excellent start. Accurate bowling, imaginative captaincy, and good fielding restricted the run rate, and when Hick, standing helpless at square leg, was run out for a superb 85, not all England's one-day experience was enough, and they lost by 11 runs.

The South Africa-UAE game was delayed a day by wet weather, but proved to be one sided. Gary Kirsten dominated a moderate bowling attack, making the highest individual score in all world cups, 188* off 159 balls. his 3rd 50 took only 29 balls and he needed 3 off the final ball of the innings to equal Viv Richards' one-day international record, but fell just short. Sultan Zarawani, the UAE captain, conceded 69 from his 10 overs of leg spin, but took one of the two wickets to fall. The UAE could not total as many as Kirsten alone all out for 152- somewhat of a recovery after being 72/8. Zarawani, showing more courage than sense, chose to face Donald without a helmet, and was immediately struck on the head by a short ball he clearly didn't see. Refusing even then to call for a helmet it was somewhat of a relief when he got out a few balls later.

The Netherlands took on New Zealand in their first ever one-day international, and were outclassed. Astle followed his century against England with a duck, but Spearman, Fleming, Cairns and Parore all made half-centuries in New Zealand's 307. The Dutch fielded well,but there was no help in the pitch for their bowlers. In reply Lefebvre a nd Cantrell both made 45, but the Netherlands were never close, new Zealand winning by 118 runs. Harris took 3/24 off his 10 overs.

The England-UAE game was another mis-match, the UAE bowled out for 136 and England knocking off the runs for the loss of 2 wickets in 35 overs. They lost, however, all-rounder Craig White, who reinjured his side, and withdrew from the tournament.Defreitas was the pick of the bowlers with 2/16 off 10 overs, the UAE concentrating on survival rather than run-scoring. Neil Smith made 31 off 27 balls before retiring ill, and Thorpe made an accomplished 44*.

A magnificent fielding display by the South Africans, and a whirlwind 50 from their captain Cronje proved too much for the New Zealanders at Faisalabad. The New Zealanders could never get going against tight bowling from the South Africans - 22 overs passed without a boundary in mid-innings, and a total of 177 was never enough on an easy wicket. Donald led the bowlers with 3/34 off his 20 overs, supported by some fine catches and an amazing run out by Jonty Rhodes. After an early wicket, Cronje took the bull by the horns, taking just 36 balls for his fifty, and by the time he holed out for 78, South Africa needed just 32 runs to win. They passed New Zealand with 5 wickets and 12 overs in hand. New Zealand did not help their cause by dropping three catches.

England duly beat the Netherlands as expected but did not impress in the field. hick led the batting effort with a century, well supported by Thorpe (89 off 82 balls) as England totalled 279. DeFreitas (3/31) bowled well, but the Netherlands resisted stubbornly, with Zuiderent and van Noortwijik both making fifties in a century partnership, as they lost by 40 runs.

Pakistan made their belated debut against the UAE, and the UAE again failed to provide much opposition, in a 9 wicket win for Pakistan. The game was shortened by rain to 33 overs per side, and the UAE found going very hard against a top-class bowling attack, making just 109. Mushtaq Ahmed took 3/16, and Salim Raza top scored with 22. Aameer Sohail fell early, but Saeed Anwar (40*) and Ijaz Ahmed (50*) knocked off the runs in just 18 overs.

South Africa had beaten England 5 consecutive times in one-day internationals, and duly completed a 6th win with ease. England looked in with a chance after dismissing South Africa for 230. Palframan, sent in as a pinch hitter, helped Kirsten get the innings off to a good start, but no-batsman was able to establish themselves in the middle innings against some tight bowling, particularly from Martin (3/33 from 10 overs) and Cork (2/36). Pollock dismissed Atherton in the first over for a duck, and England slumped to 62/5 and then 97/7, with Thorpe contributing 46 of those runs. DeFreitas and Cork showed some resistance but England were all out for 152. The South Africans bowled well and fielded superbly, and the Englishmen batted poorly.

The Netherlands came up against Waqar Younis, and found the encounter rather too challenging for their liking. Waqar took 4/26 in his 10 overs, and the Netherlands, although surviving their 50 overs, scored at less than 3/over. Aponso top-scored with 58. Pakistan took only 30 overs to overtake their total, with Saeed Anwar (83* off 92 balls), finishing the match with a 6 over long-on.

Fog in the morning caused the NZ-UAE match to be reduced to 47 overs per side. Spearman (78) and Twose (92) took advantage of some mediocre UAE bowling to boost their averages, Azhar Saeed taking 3 wickets, but at a cost of 45 runs off 7 overs, as New Zealand made 276. The UAE concentrated on survival rather than run scoring after Salim Rasa's opening flurry, and achieved something of a success by lasting the full compliment of overs. Samarasekera made 47* at 9 in the batting order to provide some entertainment as UAE plodded t o 167/9, Thomson taking 3/20 off 10 overs.

South Africa were faced by the intimidating sight of a full house in Karachi, when they took on the hosts. Before the match Pakistan had formally protested the presence of Zimbabwe umpire Ian Robinson, and he was replaced by Bucknor. Aameer Sohail made a well paced hundred, opening the innings and batting right through to the 49th over for 111. Paul Adams bowled well in his first world cup match, but Donald went for 50 off his 8 overs, and Pakistan set a target of 243. Hudson and Kirsten helped put the 100 up inside 15 overs, and then Cullinan (65) took advantage of some poor fielding, and inaccurate bowling to lead South Africa to a very professional win (their 9th in succession).

The two ICC Associate teams met in what was effectively a battle for the wooden spoon. Somewhat surprisingly the UAE ran out the winners, hitting form with ball and bat. The Netherlands made a pedestrian start, Cantrell and Aponso taking 22 overs for their partnership of 74. Shahzad Altaf bowled 10 overs for 15 runs, and Dukanwala's off breaks destroyed the middle order, taking 5/29. Salim Raza made a superb 84 off only 68 balls, hitting six sixes, and caught on the ropes trying for a seventh; and the UAE had 7 wickets and 5 overs to spare when they passed the Dutch total.

England were assured of qualifying but badly needed an improvement in form, and Pakistan were looking to recover after their loss to South Africa. England made a splendid start, with Atherton and Smith adding 134 for the first wicket, Smith in particular being harsh on the Pakistan pacers. 300 looked on, but then Aameer Sohail struck with two quick wickets, and Musthaq Ahmed took 3/14 in his second spell. Only Thorpe showed much resistance as England lost 9 wickets for 102 runs, making 249. Aameer Sohail and Saeed Anwar had a fine opening partnership, and Ijaz Ahmed continued the attack as Pakistan won with some ease, Inzamam-ul-Haq making a half century at a run a ball. England's disappointing performance earned them fourth place, and a quarter final against the strong Sri Lankans.

The Netherlands completed their world cup with another one-sided game against South Africa. Kirsten was in the runs again but the honours went to Hudson, with 161 off only 132 balls. Hudson and Kirsten put on 186 for the first wicket, and South Africa set the Netherlands an impossible target of 329. The 47 year old Nolan Clarke finally made some runs, but the Netherlands soon gave up the chase, and managed to bat out the 50 overs, losing by 160 runs. South Africa won their 10th consecutive one-day international, and the Netherlands went home winless, but had gained much experience.

The final match of the long preliminary rounds between Pakistan and New Zealand, with the winners to play India, and the losers the favoured Australian team. The Pakistani openers again impressed, with New Zealand's strike bowler Morrison only able to bowl 2 overs (for 17 runs) before injuring himself. Half centuries for Aameer sohail and Saeed Anwar gave Pakistan a solid platform that the later batsman built on notably Saleem Malik with a rapid 55. Wasim Akram hit hard at the end, but strained his side and was unable to bowl. Despite his absence a target of 282 was too much for New Zealand as Waqar Younis and Mushtaq Ahmed bowled superbly.

Thus South Africa finished top of the group, unbeaten in 10 games and looking unbeatable. Pakistan and New Zealand followed, and England, with wins only against the ICC Associates, qualified fourth. The UAE had achieved their captains objective by qualifying for the World Cup, and went home satisfied by their one win. In the next two years Sultan Zarawani would be banned by his home association, and with more restrictive qualification rules the UAE were a much weakened team by the next ICC Trophy. The Netherlands had not won a match, but had made many friends.

Quarter Finals:-

A packed house of 55,000 in Bangalore witnessed a tense encounter between the two bitter foes, India and Pakistan. Pakistan were without Wasim Akram, still unfit, and Aameer Sohail led them into the field. India's excellent total of 287 was founded on an effective 92 from Sidhu, battling a leg injury, and capped by a sparkling 45 from 25 balls from Jadeja, who was particularly stern on Waqar Younis (who conceded 22 off his penultimate over). India scored 87 in the last 8 overs. Aameer Sohail and Saeed Anwar make an excellent start putting on 84 in the first 10 overs. In a crucial spell however Prasad took three wickets, and the Pakistan batting faltered against some tight bowling. Miandad and Malik staged a recovery, halted when Miandad was run out by Jadeja. Kumble kept things tight, and Pakistan, penalized an over for slow over rates, were 39 runs short at the end.

Despite their poor form, England must have thought that their experience of the one-day game would stand them in good stead against the Sri Lankans. Instead they were taught a lesson in the new tactics of one day cricket. England had built a reasonable total of 235, founded on a careful start from Smith and Atherton, and a personal best of 67 from DeFreitas. Muralitharan and Dharmasena bowled tightly, and England never dominated. It looked like a different game altogether when Sri Lanka batted. Kaluwitharana fell third ball to Illingworth opening the bowling, but Jayasuriya put the attack to the sword, making 50 off thirty balls, and 82 out of 113 from 44 balls. By the time he was out, the game was effectively won. Illingworth conceded 72 runs from his 10 overs, DeFreitas 38 from 3.4, and only Gough's figures achieved respectability. Sri Lanka won with 10 overs to spare, after taking 14 overs to score the last 42 runs required.

Spearman smashed 15 runs off the first over of the New Zealand innings, but Astle, then Spearman, then Fleming committed suicide and the innings was in ruins at 44/3. Harris and Germon then built a partnership of 163. This unlikely pairing put the Australian bowling to the sword, Germon's 50 coming up in 40 balls, and Harris not far behind. Harris hit four sixes in his superb 130 at better than a run/ball, battling exhaustion and the heat, and barely able to run singles towards the end. The total of 286 looked formidable, particularly as dew slowed the outfield as night fell. Australia, however, cruised to an easy win, based on yet another magnificent century from Mark Waugh, scoring at a run a ball with no semblance of hurry, and playing mostly orthodox strokes. Warne was sent in to hit, and a quick 24 justified his elevation, and the other Waugh twin, Steve, guided Australia to victory in the penultimate over.

Few would have given West Indies much chance against a South African team in top form, but Lara at his best was unstoppable. He and Chanderpaul put on 138 for the 2nd wicket, and Lara after a nervous start, played superbly, scoring 111 from 94 balls. McMillan was the pick of the bowlers, and South Africa regretted omitting Alan Donald. The South Africans, set 265 to win, came up against a fired up Walsh and Ambrose who kept the run rate down. Cullinan and Hudson accelerated, and South Africa were nearly up with the run rate halfway through the innings. Jimmy Adams came on to bowl his left arm spin, and both bats holed out trying to hit him straight. Cronje fell at deep mid-wicket and then Roger Harper mopped up the tail with four wickets, South Africa bitterly disappointed at losing their first one-day international in 12 games by 19 runs.

Semi finals:-

Eden Gardens was packed to the rafters as India and Sri Lanka battled for a place in the final. The game got off to a sensational start as the star Sri Lankan openers both fell in the first over, skying catches to third man off the bowling of Srinath. This brought in de Silva who despite the scoreline of 1/2 went for his shots from the outset, playing an innings of scintillating brilliance. He played classic shots rather than slogging, yet made 66 off 47 balls. His 50 came off only 32 balls, with 11 fours, mostly from elegant drives through the covers. When he edged onto his stumps with the score on 85, Sri Lanka had the start they needed. From there on Mahanama, battling dehydration as the innings progressed, and Ranatunga were able to build a useful total. Tendulkar and Kapoor contained the scoring, taking 2 wickets and conceding 34 runs from his 10 overs, and Sri Lanka set India 251 to win. When India started their replay Sidhu fell early, but Tendulkar and Manjrekar made steady progress. Tendulkar was in top form, pacing his innings well, and had reached 65 when he over-balanced and was neatly stumped. The crowd watched the collapse that followed with silence, and then with rage. The spin of Dharmasena, Muralitheran, Jayasuriya and de Silva proved hard to hit, and the middle order collapsed, leaving just Kambli to resist. When Mongia and Kapoor was dismissed off successive deliveries, and India 120/8, the crowd erupted. A hail of bottles sailed onto the ground, and several fires were started in the stands. Match referee Clive Lloyd took the players from the field, but further play was impossible. In an unprecedented move that match was awarded to Sri Lanka, and India's World Cup ended on a sad and ugly scenes.

The other semi-final was in its way equally sensational but for cricketing reasons. The West Indies had never lost a World Cup semi -final, and in the first few overs, Ambrose and Bishop put them well on the way to winning another. A superb opening spell had Australia at 15/4 with the batsman of the tournament, Mark Waugh lbw 2nd ball. This brought together Law and Bevan who, batting responsibly, put on 138. They ran extremely well, putting pressure on the fielders, and improvised well. Healy chipped in with some useful runs at the end, and Australia ended up with 207 - good considering their start, but not an intimidating total. Chanderpaul played a sheet anchor role, and Lara played some lovely shots in making 45 at a run per ball. Steve Waugh dismissed Lara, but Richardson took up the challenge, and with 10 overs to go just 47 was required. The collapse that followed was unexpected and inexplicable. Chanderpaul and Harper fell to McGrath, and then Richardson watched in horror as Warne took 3/6, Fleming two wickets, and a run out ended the West Indies innings, losing by 5 runs in the last over. Richardson was stranded on 49*.

The Final:-

Thus Australia met Sri Lanka in the final in Lahore - a fitting end to a tournament that had started with Australia forfeiting their match in Colombo. All five previous finals had been one by the side batting first, but Ranatunga put Australia in after winning the toss, not wanting to field under the lights as the dew fell. This seemed to be a misjudgment as Australia made a strong start. Mark Waugh failed, but Taylor was in fine form, and the pitch held no terrors. Supported by Ponting, he took Australia to 137/1 in the 27th over, and a big total looked likely. After Taylor holed out, however, Ranatunga used some astute bowling changes, and clever field placings to stifle the Australians. Muralitheran bowled his 10 overs for 31 runs, and Australia managed but one boundary in 25 overs. The total of 241 was respectable, and looked challenging after the two openers failed again. This brought together the phlegmatic Gurusinha, and the flamboyant de Silva, who with their partnership of 125, brought the Sri Lankans within striking distance. The dew made bowling difficult, but de Silva played an innings that was perfectly paced, laced with 13 fours and a six, and made with consummate ease. His 107* was the third century in a final, and every bit as good as the preceding innings of Lloyd and Richards. When Gurusinha was bowled by Reiffel, Ranatunga joined de Silva, and saw Sri Lanka to a famous victory with 3.4 overs to spare. Fittingly Ranatunga made the winning run, and the Sri Lankans became the first host team to win a World Cup. they had completely outplayed and out-thought their opponents, and unbeaten in the tournament were worth winners. Christoper Martin-Jenkins wrote in the Electronic Telegraph "The image will long remain; one of the most romantic in the continuously evolving history of cricket. Half past ten on a misty night in Lahore as the rain begins to fall. Arjuna Ranatunga, a tubby little 32-year-old in dark blue shirt and trousers, holds up a huge silver trophy: a monument to a little nation`s marvellous sporting achievement"

The Sri Lankans had revolutionized one day cricket, with their tactics of going all out for the first 15 overs, and then building on their start. Jayasuriya in particular was a revelation, and deservedly won the player of the tournament, but de Silva's innings in the semi-final and final showed that conventional stroke making could be just as effective. Sri Lanka's bowling was unexceptional (Jayasuriya was their leading wicket-taker, 16th on the list), but backed by good fielding they always managed to restrict the opponents sufficiently. Tendulkar and Mark Waugh both had magnificent tournaments, 1st and 2nd as top run scorers, with de Silva 3rd, all three averaging over 80 (as did Ranatunga, bolstered by not outs, and Saeed Anwar). Jayasuriya and Kaluwitharana were well back on runs scored and average but their strike rates were extraordinary. Kumble was the leading wicket-taker, followed by Waqar Younis.

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