Published: Feb 23, 2015, 02:40 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 23, 2015, 02:40 PM (IST)
ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 saw the mega event enter Africa. The highest number of teams seen in the tournament before was 12 (in 1996 and 1999), but this edition saw 14 sides competing. (ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 Infographics)
It marked Canada’s return to the tournament after 24 long years and they wanted to prove a point to the full-members that they weren’t mere pushovers. They beat Bangladesh, Test side by 60 runs and on this day, 12 years back, they faced a strong West Indian side.
In the above photograph , we see Canada opener John Davison celebrating his hundred as his batting partner Desmond Chumney congratulates him.
Davison scored a hundred of only 67 balls, which was the then fastest hundred in a World Cup match. Put in to bat, Canada completely surprised West Indies with their approach as Davison who began normally completely shifted to the top gear in the fourth over. He smashed Pedro Collin for a four and a six and in the following over hit three consecutive boundaries off Merv Dillon. There was no stopping him thereon and began the carnage. (Watch John Davison’s hundred)Â
He brought up his hundred from only 67 balls and went on to score 111 from 76. He fell in the third ball of the 23rd over after Vasbert Drakes caught a blinder at long-on.
In a dramatic batting collapse, Canada were dismissed for 202 in the 43rd over and the West Indies, who had their pride and egos hurt, chased it down in the 21st over in days which were pre-Twenty20. Opener Wavell Hinds and Brian Lara added 102 for the second wicket from just 43 balls! Hinds belted 64 from 31, while Lara scored 73 from 40.
The fans at Centurion got what they actually came for and that was entertainment from both the sides!
