History:

Begun in 1975, the 2011 edition will be the 10th WC cricket. The first three tournaments were hosted at the home of cricket in England, where West Indies won the first two in 75 and 79 and were going for the hat-trick, but were surprised by India’s Kapil Dev ‘ 83. In 1987, the World Cup was taken out of England for the first time and the subcontinent was the host. In most gripping finals so far, before a packed Eden Garden, Australia took the cup after defeating England by just 7 runs. In 1992, WC achieve the Trans-Tasman coast of England and this time below 22 runs against the brash and talented team Pakistan. 1996 saw the return of the basin for the sub-continent and it was bigger and better event than 1987. It marked the arrival of Sri Lanka on the world cricket scene and, under the leadership of Arjuna Ranatunga, Sri Lanka posted the brilliant performance of the Cup at home toilets favorites beat Australia in Lahore. England held its fourth toilet in 1999 and marked the beginning of Australian domination. In most one-sided final of the WC, Australia demolished in Pakistan, then four years later in 2003 when South Africa hosted the most spectacular and colorful bathroom, Australia crushed India last mind. West Indies hosted the toilet in the spirit of Carnival in 2007, but the tournament was plagued by controversy with the permission of the death of Bob Woolmer and the duration time of the event to come in under control, and Australia have completed their hat trick by beating Sri Lanka.

World Cups over the years have seen the best and worst performance. The greatest of evils to include India win 83 WC; Sri Lanka ‘96 campaign, and 2007 when India and Pakistan were ousted in the first round of suffering shock lost to Bangladesh and Ireland respectively. The agony include; heart of South Africa has a rendezvous with the toilet break, since their re-insertion in cricket from 1992 to 2007, where they failed at critical stages. The importance include; Antilles years 70 and 80 and Australia on providing the biggest stage. century, a magnificent Ricky Ponting in Johannesburg (2003 WC final) and Adam Gilchrist century in Barbados (2007 WC final) are some of the highlights of what makes the toilet.

2011 World Cup contenders:

And with all the annals of World Cup rich, the anticipation surrounding the subcontinent third toilet is palpable. Fourteen teams in contention for silverware and the dominance of Australia just calm down, there is not much difference between the four or five. India and Sri Lanka being the host and having sides balanced favorites start with South Africa and England, both coming in second. Australia in a phase of reconstruction would be around the top as they thrive in these conditions and it would not be a surprise if they win the big stage again. New Zealand is hoping to do better than their semi-final appearances in multilateral tournaments. Never short of talent and ability, under conditions in Pakistan sub-continent can never be taken lightly. Bangladesh is hoping to ruin the party for some of the best teams and they have already increased manifold since the last WC.

Players to watch:

The World Cup is a lag that sees many newborn stars and big game as well on the last lap of their careers, hoping to end with a bang. Sachin Tendulkar has achieved almost everything as a cricketer, but the biggest crown in his brilliant career would Medal WC.Do not put money on the idea that we might not see in 2015 but almost certainly his last chance for the biggest prize. Similarly, it would be Jacques Kallis and WC Final Ricky Ponting. In the new talent category Virat Kohli grass, Suresh Raina would be looking to contribute to the success of India.

Teams, groups and format:

There are 14 nations divided into two groups of seven each.

Group A:

Sri Lanka
Australia
Pakistan
New Zealand
Zimbabwe
Kenya
Canada
Group B:

India
South Africa
England
Bangladesh
Caribbean
Ireland
Netherlands
The four teams from both groups will qualify for the knock out stage.

Times and locations:

Everything starts Feb. 19 when Bangladesh take on India in Mirpur and the final will be played April 2 in Mumbai. Here is the complete schedule of World Cup matches with the site.

Date Venue Teams

Bangladesh vs. India February 19 Mirpur
February 20 * New Zealand vs Kenya Chennai
February 20 Hambantota Sri Lanka vs Canada
Australia February 21 vs Zimbabwe Ahemadabad
On February 22 England vs Netherlands Nagpur
February 23 Pakistan vs Kenya Hambantota
February 24 South Africa vs West Indies New Delhi
February 25 * Mirpur Bangladesh vs Ireland
February 25 Australia vs New Zealand Nagpur
Feb. 26 vs. Sri Lanka Pakistan Colombo (RPS)
February 27 Kolkata India vs England
February 28 * Canada vs Zimbabwe Nagpur
February 28 West Indies vs New Delhi
March 1 * Sri Lanka vs Kenya Colombo (RPS)
* Mar 2 England vs Ireland Bangalore
March 3 vs. South Africa Netherlands Mohali
March 3 * Canada vs. Pakistan Colombo (RPS)
* March 4 vs. New Zealand Zimbabwe Ahemadabad
March 4 Bangladesh vs West Indies Mirpur
March 5 in Sri Lanka against Australia Colombo (RPS)
6 * March England vs South Africa Chennai
March 6 Bangalore India vs Ireland
Kenya vs Canada on March 7 in New Delhi
March 8 Pakistan vs New Zealand Pallekelle
March 9 vs. Netherlands India New Delhi
March 10 Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe Pallekelle
* Mar 11 West Indies vs Ireland Mohali
11 March Bangladesh vs England Chittagong
March 12 India vs South Africa Nagpur
March 13 * New Zealand vs Canada in Mumbai
March 13 Australia vs Kenya Bangalore
* March 14 vs. Netherlands Chittagong in Bangladesh
Pakistan vs Zimbabwe on March 14 Pallekelle
15 South Africa vs Ireland in March Kolkata
March 16 Australia vs Canada Bangalore
March 17 India vs West England Chennai
* March 18 Ireland vs Kolkata Netherlands
March 18 Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Mumbai
* March 19 Bangladesh vs South Africa Mirpur
March 19 against Australia Pakistan Colombo (RPS)
X 20 March Zimbabwe vs Kenya Kolkata
March 20 vs. West Indies Chennai India
March 23 vs. QF first A1 B4 Mirpur
24 March 2 A2 vs B3 QF Ahemadabad
25 March 3 QF A3 vs B2 Mirpur
QF 4 March 26 A4 vs. B1 Colombo (RPS)
Colombo 29 SF 1 March (RPS)
30 March 2 Mohali SF
April 2, Mumbai Grand Finale
All matches are day games * and the rest are day and night. Check your local listings for schedule.