The very first match of the Super 8 stage will be between the hosts West Indies and the defending champions Australia. Over the nine editions of the championships, which have witnessed as many as 276 matches over the last 32 years, there have been only five such contests between the hosts and the defending champions. Result-wise, the host nations have emerged triumphant thrice and champions twice. What’s in store for the two teams now in the forthcoming tussle?
Details of the host country playing against the defending champions in their own backyard in the World Cup over the years:
| Year |
Venue |
Host country |
Defending champions |
Result |
| 1979 |
Lord’s |
England (194/51) |
West Indies (*286-9/50) |
WI – 92 runs |
| 1992 |
Auckland |
New Zealand (*248-6/50) |
Australia (211/48.1) |
NZ – 37 runs |
| 1996 |
Bangalore |
India (*287-8/50) |
Pakistan (248-9/49) |
Ind – 39 runs |
| 1999 |
Lord’s |
England (207-2/46.5) |
Sri Lanka (*204/48.4) |
Eng – 8 wkts |
| 2003 |
Bulawayo |
Zimbabwe (*246-9/50) |
Australia (248-3/47.3) |
Aust – 7 wkts |
Summary: Matches – 5 , Won by the hosts – 3 , Won by the champions
– 2 * denotes batted first
By Anant Gaundalkar
