1996 World Cup
The Group Stage
The tournament was to be held at the Indian subcontinent for the second time. Sri Lanka joined as one of the co hosts. It was the first ever time Sri Lanka were co hosting the World Cup and yes, they were super excited.
Unfortunately, the excitement was cut short by the attacks on Central Bank, Colombo in late January. The bombing took the lives of 91 people, injuring 1400 and shook the world. It also shook two teams to an extent where they refused to even play the matches held in the Emerald Isle - Australia and West Indies. Sri Lanka promised to offer maximum security to the teams. However the teams refused to budge. Both matches were finally awarded to Sri Lanka. They qualified for the Quarter Finals even before playing a game. But the walk over series didn't end there.
The Semi Finals
Sri Lanka made 251/8 with Aravinda De Siva and Roshan Mahanama top scoring with half centuries. India in reply were in the nineties for the loss of a wicket when the turning point happened. Sachin Tendulkar was stumped off Jayasurya's delivery and what followed was bizarre to watch.
India skid from 98/2 to 120/8. The frustrated crowd began to throw bottles and set the stands on fire. After waiting for 15 minutes, since it appeared difficult to calm the crowd, the match was awarded to Sri Lanka seeing the hopeless situation of India. Vinod Kambli walking balk with tears in his eyes remains etched in the memories of every cricket fan.
2003 World Cup
The tournament was clouded by security fears in Kenya and Zimbabwe following a suicide bombing, which killed 16 people on a hotel in Mombasa. England and New Zealand voted for the transfer their matches held in these countries to South Africa. However Netherlands, who had a match in Zimbabwe with held from voting.
England against Zimbabwe
The political situation in Zimbabwe raised security concerns. Andy Flower and Henry Olonga during the 2003 Cricket World Cup. The pair decided to wear black armbands to "mourn the death of democracy in Zimbabwe".
England Decided not to play the matches hosted in Harare against Zimbabwe after receiving death threats. However, there was a possibility of them playing it in South Africa in the later stages of the Tournament. It never happened and Zimbabwe proceeded to the Super 6 stage of the Tournament with just 2 points ahead of England. England were knocked out of the tournament in the group stage. Zimbabwe could not make it past the Super Sixes. After the World Cup, Flower and Olonga moved from the country and retired from international cricket.
New Zealand against Kenya
New Zealand decided against playing in Nairobi, Kenya because of security fears, despite an announcement from the tournament organizers that their points would be awarded to Kenya. It proved costly as Kenya proceeded to the semis and cost New Zealand were knocked out in the Super Six stage. Kenya were knocked out in the semi finals vs India.
A walkover is one of the most disappointing incidents that can happen. It leaves the teams and the fans pondering over what could have happened. Let us hope that the boards come up with better solution for such situations in the future.
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