← Back to home

2015 Cricket World Cup

The 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, an event some deemed significant, marked the 11th iteration of the Cricket World Cup – that rather predictable quadrennial spectacle of One Day International (ODI) cricket. It’s where men’s national teams, under the ever-watchful eye of the International Cricket Council (ICC), convene to determine who is, for a brief period, marginally less mediocre than the rest. This particular installment unfolded across the scenic, if somewhat distant, landscapes of Australia and New Zealand, spanning from 14 February to 29 March 2015. The outcome, for anyone paying attention, was hardly a shock: Australia claimed their fifth title, dispatching co-hosts New Zealand with a clinical 7-wicket victory in the final match.

This wasn't the first time the tournament had graced these Antipodean shores; the 1992 Cricket World Cup had already set a precedent, proving that cricket could, in fact, be played successfully outside the subcontinent. India, having secured the previous trophy in 2011, arrived as the defending champions, a title they rather unceremoniously relinquished when they were shown the exit by the eventual victors, Australia, in the semi-finals. A classic tale of expectations versus reality, one might say.

The format, as if designed to prolong the inevitable, involved 14 teams, meticulously (or perhaps arbitrarily) divided into two pools, each containing seven contenders. Each team endured the Sisyphean task of playing every other team within their designated pool once. From this rather exhaustive exercise, the top four teams from each pool were granted passage to the subsequent knockout stage, a phase comprising quarter-finals, semi-finals, and, ultimately, the final.

The grand crescendo saw the two co-host nations, Australia and New Zealand, face off in a contest that, for one side, ended in triumph, and for the other, a valiant but ultimately futile effort. Australia’s 7-wicket triumph secured their fifth Cricket World Cup title, a testament to their enduring, some might say tiresome, dominance in the sport.

The organizers, ever keen to quantify the human experience, reported a total attendance of 1,016,420 across the tournament, averaging out to a respectable 20,743 spectators per match. The final itself, hosted at the venerable Melbourne Cricket Ground, drew a crowd of 93,013, a figure proudly touted as a record for a one-day cricket match in Australia. Meanwhile, in India, a nation whose enthusiasm for cricket often borders on the obsessive, the highest television rating was predictably for the Australia–India semi-final, capturing the attention of 15% of television-viewing households. One can only imagine the collective groans.

Host selection

The process of selecting a host for a major international tournament is rarely straightforward, often resembling a political chess match rather than a simple logistical decision.

Bids

The International Cricket Council (ICC), in its infinite wisdom, had previously unveiled the hosts for the preceding World Cup, the 2011 competition, on 30 April 2006. Curiously, Australia and New Zealand had also thrown their hats into the ring for that very tournament. Had their bid for 2011 been successful, it would have entailed a 50–50 division of matches between the two nations, with the coveted final venue remaining a point of negotiation. The joint Trans-Tasman submission, rather grandly titled "Beyond Boundaries," was, notably, the sole bid for the 2011 World Cup to arrive at the ICC headquarters in Dubai before the strict 1 March deadline.

Among the "considerable merits" of this bid, as articulated by Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland, were the supposedly superior venues and infrastructure offered by the two countries. Furthermore, the bid boasted the "total support" of both the Australian and New Zealand governments regarding tax and customs issues throughout the duration of the tournament – a detail that often proves more impactful than any grand sporting vision. The New Zealand government, in a demonstration of its commitment, had even provided assurances that the Zimbabwean team would be permitted to participate in the tournament, navigating the murky waters of political discussions that had previously questioned their eligibility to tour Zimbabwe in 2005. One must appreciate the foresight, or perhaps the tedious diplomacy, required for such a guarantee.

Ehsan Mani, then ICC President, rather pointedly suggested that the protracted time required by the Asian bloc to submit their own bid had, in fact, "harmed" the four-nation bid. However, when the final tally arrived, the Asian contingent emerged victorious, securing seven votes to the Trans-Tasman bid's four. According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), it was the decisive vote of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) that tipped the scales. Whispers, reported in the Pakistani newspaper Dawn, suggested that the Asian countries had pledged to host fundraising events for West Indian cricket during the 2007 Cricket World Cup, an arrangement that may or may not have influenced the crucial vote. I.S. Bindra, chairman of the monitoring committee for the Asian bid, predictably denied any such quid pro quo, instead attributing their success to the promise of an additional US$400 million in profits. Because, of course, it's always about the money.

Such was the purported "efficiency" and compelling nature of the Trans-Tasman bid, despite its initial setback, that the ICC, in a move that felt like a consolation prize, decided to award them the next World Cup, slated for 2015. A small comfort, perhaps, but a victory nonetheless. Australia and New Zealand had, after all, last jointly hosted the Cricket World Cup in 1992, proving they could, at least, co-exist for the sake of the game.

Format

The architectural blueprint for the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup bore a striking resemblance to its predecessor, a testament to either efficiency or a distinct lack of imagination.

The tournament featured a familiar complement of 14 teams, a number identical to that of the 2011 World Cup. This decision, after some initial bluster, was a pragmatic one, ensuring that associate and affiliate member nations, often relegated to the sidelines, were granted a tangible opportunity to participate on the global stage. A small victory for inclusivity, if you consider it that.

The structural design of the competition remained unchanged from the 2011 edition, proving that if it ain't broke, or at least not entirely catastrophic, don't fix it. The 14 participating teams were initially grouped into two pools, each comprising seven contenders. Within these pools, a round-robin format dictated that each team would engage every other team once. From this initial crucible, the top four teams from each group earned the privilege of advancing to the quarter-finals, commencing the cut-throat knockout stage.

In a rather belated, but ultimately sensible, adjustment, the ICC made an announcement on 29 January 2015, reinstating the use of the Super Over as a decisive mechanism should the Cricket World Cup Final match conclude in a tie. Acknowledging that the spectacle of a tied final, devoid of a clear victor, would be a disservice to everyone involved – not least the broadcasters.

Qualification

The path to the 2015 Cricket World Cup was, as always, a layered and somewhat convoluted affair, designed to ensure a mix of established powers and ambitious newcomers.

As per the established ICC regulations, the 10 ICC full member nations were granted automatic entry into the tournament, a privilege that underscores their inherent status within the cricketing world. However, in the immediate aftermath of the 2011 World Cup, a rather contentious decision was made: the subsequent tournament would be scaled down, featuring only these 10 full members. This proposed reduction was met with a chorus of criticism, particularly from several associate nations. The Ireland cricket team, in particular, voiced strong objections, having demonstrated commendable performances in both the 2007 and 2011 editions, including notable victories over Pakistan and England – both esteemed full member nations. Their protest, it seemed, was not without merit.

Following a wave of support for a more inclusive qualification process, championed by the ICC Cricket Committee, the ICC, displaying a rare moment of flexibility, reversed its initial decision in June 2011. The revised mandate stipulated that 14 teams would indeed participate in the 2015 World Cup, ensuring the inclusion of four associate or affiliate member nations. A small concession, perhaps, but one that prevented a potential rebellion among the sport's aspiring contenders.

At the ICC Chief Executives' Committee meeting in September 2011, a new, meticulously crafted qualifying format was unveiled. Under this system, the top two teams from the 2011–13 ICC World Cricket League Championship would secure direct qualification. The remaining six teams from that championship would then join forces with the third and fourth-placed teams of the 2011 ICC World Cricket League Division Two, and the top two teams from the 2013 ICC World Cricket League Division Three. This aggregate of ten teams would then compete in a dedicated World Cup Qualifier tournament, vying for the final two coveted spots. A process, one might observe, designed by committee.

On 9 July 2013, in a moment of cricketing drama, Ireland secured their place as the first country to qualify for the 2015 World Cup, a feat achieved as a direct result of a tied match against the Netherlands. A tie, it seems, can sometimes be more consequential than a victory. A few months later, on 4 October 2013, Afghanistan made history, qualifying for their inaugural Cricket World Cup by defeating Kenya, thus securing second place behind Ireland in the qualifying standings. A remarkable ascent for a nation whose cricketing journey had been anything but conventional.

The final two spots in the 2015 Cricket World Cup were ultimately claimed by Scotland and the United Arab Emirates, with Scotland emerging victorious over the UAE in the final of the 2014 Cricket World Cup Qualifier. The field was now complete, a diverse collection of cricketing nations ready to converge.

| Team | Method of qualification | Past appearances | Last appearance | Previous best performance Cricket World Cup is a quadrennial One Day International (ODI) cricket tournament. It is organized by the sport's global governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), and is contested by men's national teams. The 2015 edition was jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand from 14 February to 29 March 2015.

The tournament culminated in Australia securing their fifth title, defeating their co-hosts New Zealand by a margin of 7 wickets in the final. This marked the second instance of the tournament being held in Australia and New Zealand, with the first being the 1992 Cricket World Cup. India, the champions of the preceding edition in 2011, were eliminated in the semi-finals by the eventual champions, Australia.

The competition featured 14 teams, which were divided into two pools of seven. Each team played every other team within its respective pool once. The top four teams from each pool then advanced to the knockout stage, which comprised quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final.

The final match, a trans-Tasman showdown, was contested between the co-hosts Australia and New Zealand. Australia emerged victorious by seven wickets, thus claiming their fifth Cricket World Cup title.

The tournament attracted a total attendance of 1,016,420 spectators, yielding an average of 20,743 attendees per match. The final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground notably drew a crowd of 93,013, setting a new record for a one-day cricket match in Australia. In India, the semi-final clash between Australia and India garnered the highest television rating, reaching 15% of television-viewing households.

Host selection

The selection of host nations for the Cricket World Cup is a process often fraught with political maneuvering and competitive bidding, a testament to the significant prestige and economic benefits associated with staging such a global event.

Bids

The International Cricket Council (ICC) had previously announced the hosts for the preceding World Cup, the 2011 competition, on 30 April 2006. Interestingly, Australia and New Zealand had also submitted a joint bid for the 2011 tournament. A successful Australian bid for the 2011 World Cup would have resulted in a 50–50 split in the allocation of matches between the two nations, with the venue for the final remaining a subject for negotiation.

The Trans-Tasman bid, ambitiously titled "Beyond Boundaries," was the sole submission for the 2011 World Cup to reach the ICC headquarters in Dubai before the stringent 1 March deadline. The bid highlighted "considerable merits," as articulated by Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland, including their purportedly superior venues and infrastructure. Furthermore, it underscored the comprehensive support from both the Australian and New Zealand governments concerning tax and customs issues for the duration of the tournament, a crucial element for any large-scale international event. The New Zealand government had also provided assurances that the Zimbabwean team would be permitted to participate in the tournament, navigating prior political discussions regarding whether their team would be allowed to tour Zimbabwe in 2005. These governmental guarantees often speak louder than any sporting promise.

Ehsan Mani, the then-ICC President, observed that the extended time taken by the Asian bloc to submit its bid had inadvertently "harmed" the four-nation bid. However, when the votes were ultimately cast, the Asian consortium triumphed by a margin of seven votes to four. According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), it was the vote of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) that proved decisive. Reports in the Pakistani newspaper Dawn suggested that the Asian countries had pledged to organize fundraising events for West Indian cricket during the 2007 Cricket World Cup, a gesture that may have influenced the outcome of the vote. Conversely, I.S. Bindra, chairman of the monitoring committee of the Asian bid, vehemently denied any such influence, asserting that their promise of an additional US$400 million in profits was the true factor that swayed the vote in their favour. It seems the allure of financial gain often trumps other considerations.

Despite the loss for the 2011 bid, the ICC was reportedly "so impressed" by the detailed and efficient nature of the Trans-Tasman submission that they subsequently decided to award the next World Cup, scheduled for 2015, to Australia and New Zealand. A clear demonstration that persistence, and a well-structured proposal, can eventually pay off. Australia and New Zealand had previously shared hosting duties for the Cricket World Cup in 1992, making this a return to a familiar and successful partnership.

Format

The structural design of the 2015 Cricket World Cup largely mirrored that of its immediate predecessor, indicating a preference for established frameworks over radical innovation.

The tournament was planned to feature 14 teams, maintaining the same number as the 2011 World Cup. This continuity was significant, as it ensured that associate and affiliate member nations continued to have a pathway to participate in the prestigious global event, a decision that wasn't always a given in ICC deliberations.

The format itself was a direct replication of the 2011 edition. The 14 participating teams were initially divided into two distinct groups, each comprising seven teams. Within these groups, a comprehensive round-robin stage was conducted, where every team competed against all other teams in their pool once. Following this initial phase, the top four teams from each group earned their progression to the knockout stage. This subsequent phase was structured in a classic single-elimination bracket, featuring quarter-finals, semi-finals, and culminating in the final match.

In a crucial and widely welcomed decision, the ICC announced on 29 January 2015, just ahead of the tournament, the reinstatement of the Super Over for the Cricket World Cup Final match should it conclude as a tie. This move effectively ensured that the ultimate championship match would always yield a definitive winner, preventing the anticlimactic scenario of sharing the trophy or relying on other tie-breaking criteria that had been debated in the past.

Qualification

The road to the 2015 Cricket World Cup was a dynamic process, reflecting the ongoing debates within the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding inclusivity and the balance between established cricketing nations and emerging ones.

According to the standing ICC regulations, the 10 ICC full member nations were granted automatic qualification for the tournament, a standard practice acknowledging their historical contribution and current standing in the sport. However, a significant controversy arose immediately after the conclusion of the 2011 World Cup, when the ICC initially decided that the subsequent tournament would be reduced to feature only these 10 full members. This proposal was met with vehement criticism from a multitude of associate nations, most notably from the Ireland cricket team. Ireland had consistently demonstrated their capability on the world stage, achieving impressive results in both the 2007 and 2011 tournaments, including notable victories over full member nations like Pakistan and England. Their performance, it was argued, clearly justified their continued participation.

Responding to this considerable backlash and following strong advocacy from the ICC Cricket Committee for a more robust qualification process, the ICC reversed its controversial decision in June 2011. This pivotal change meant that 14 teams would indeed participate in the 2015 World Cup, ensuring the inclusion of four associate or affiliate member nations, thus providing a vital pathway for emerging cricketing talent.

At the ICC Chief Executives' Committee meeting in September 2011, a refined and detailed qualifying format was officially adopted. Under this structure, the top two teams from the 2011–13 ICC World Cricket League Championship earned direct qualification to the World Cup. The remaining six teams from that championship then proceeded to a 10-team World Cup Qualifier. This qualifier also included the third and fourth-placed teams from the 2011 ICC World Cricket League Division Two, and the top two teams from the 2013 ICC World Cricket League Division Three. This multi-tiered system was designed to determine the final two places in the World Cup.

The qualification journey saw its first success on 9 July 2013, when Ireland secured their spot for the 2015 World Cup following a tied match against the Netherlands, a result that proved sufficient for their standing. Shortly thereafter, on 4 October 2013, Afghanistan made a historic entry, qualifying for their first-ever Cricket World Cup by defeating Kenya, thereby finishing in second place behind Ireland in the WCL Championship.

The final two coveted spots were claimed by Scotland and the United Arab Emirates, both of whom emerged from the 2014 Cricket World Cup Qualifier. Scotland ultimately defeated the United Arab Emirates in the final match of that qualifier, ensuring both teams' participation in the 2015 global showpiece.

The teams that ultimately qualified, along with their cricketing pedigree, are detailed below:

| Team | Method of qualification | Past appearances | Last appearance | Previous best performance Administrator International Cricket Council Cricket format One Day International Tournament format(s) Group Stage and Knockout Stage Hosts

• Australia • New Zealand

Champions  Australia (5th title) Runners-up  New Zealand Participants 14 Matches 49 Attendance 1,016,420 (20,743 per match) Player of the series Mitchell Starc Most runs Martin Guptill (547) Most wickets Mitchell Starc (22) Trent Boult (22) Official website Official website ← 2011

2019 →

Preparations

The meticulous orchestration required for a global sporting event like the Cricket World Cup necessitates extensive preparation, from establishing leadership to logistical arrangements and visa policies.

Local organising committee

In anticipation of the 2015 Cricket World Cup, the formation of the local organising committee was a critical initial step, ensuring that the complex task of staging the tournament was entrusted to a dedicated leadership team. John Harnden was appointed as the chief executive, tasked with overseeing the operational aspects and day-to-day management of the event. James Strong assumed the role of chairman, providing strategic direction and leadership to the committee. Complementing this leadership, Ralph Waters was named as the deputy chairman. However, the committee faced an unexpected challenge with the unfortunate passing of James Strong in March 2013, necessitating a shift in leadership. Following this event, Ralph Waters stepped up to assume the position of chairman, ensuring continuity in the tournament's preparatory phase.

Allocation of matches

The distribution of matches between the co-host nations was a significant point of negotiation, especially given the shared responsibility. When Australia and New Zealand initially bid for the 2011 Cricket World Cup back in 2006, their proposal had envisioned an equitable 50–50 split of the games. Ultimately, a definitive decision was reached on 30 July 2013, stipulating that Australia would host 26 matches, while New Zealand would be allocated 23 matches throughout the tournament.

A particularly "tense battle," as it was described, unfolded between the major Australian cities of Melbourne and Sydney for the prestigious right to host the final match. The culmination of this rivalry was announced on 30 July 2013, confirming that the Melbourne Cricket Ground would host the final. Meanwhile, the semi-final matches were allocated to Sydney and Auckland, ensuring that key knockout fixtures were distributed across both host nations.

Visas

To facilitate easier access for international spectators attending the World Cup matches, a special arrangement was put in place. It was announced that spectators travelling to World Cup matches in New Zealand who would not ordinarily be eligible for a visa waiver would be permitted to enter New Zealand if they possessed a valid Australian visitor visa. This was officially termed the "special Trans-Tasman Visa Arrangement for the 2015 Cricket World Cup." This pragmatic measure aimed to streamline travel logistics and enhance the fan experience across both host countries.

Media and promotion

The Cricket World Cup, like any major global sporting event, relies heavily on media exposure and strategic promotion to capture public imagination and secure its financial viability. This particular section, however, comes with a rather telling caveat, suggesting it "may rely excessively on sources too closely associated with the subject," potentially compromising its verifiability and neutrality. A polite way of saying: take it with a grain of salt.

It's been observed that the World Cup has "grown as a media event with each tournament." A statement so self-evident it almost doesn't need saying. The International Cricket Council (ICC), ever astute to the commercial value, secured a substantial deal, selling the broadcasting rights for the 2015 Cricket World Cup for an astounding US$2 billion to ESPN Star Sports and Star Sports. This figure alone speaks volumes about the perceived global reach and market value of the tournament.

According to James Strong, the then-chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), the ambition was to position the tournament as the "most fan-friendly event of its kind" and to "take cricket to a wide range of communities throughout Australia and New Zealand." A noble sentiment, one might suppose, though the definition of "fan-friendly" can often be subjective.

The ICC, recognizing the enduring appeal of cricketing legends, appointed Sachin Tendulkar as the World Cup Ambassador for the second consecutive time, a role he had previously fulfilled for the 2011 Cricket World Cup. His presence undoubtedly lent an air of gravitas and widespread recognition to the promotional efforts.

The sheer demand for certain matches was evident in ticket sales. Reports indicated that tickets for the highly anticipated India v Pakistan clash in Adelaide were snapped up within a mere 12 minutes of going on sale – a testament to the fervent rivalry and massive fan bases of both nations. This particular match also commanded a significant television audience in India, registering an average of 14.8% of TV-equipped households. The semi-final between Australia and India subsequently achieved an even higher average rating in India, reaching 15.0%. However, despite these impressive figures, no single match in the 2015 tournament managed to surpass the viewership numbers achieved by the 2011 Final among Indian viewers, a subtle indicator that even in a cricket-mad nation, peaks are hard to sustain. The 2015 World Cup, in fact, took place against a backdrop of reported "declining viewing figures for cricket in India," a trend that prompted some introspection within the industry. Despite this, broadcaster Star Sports proudly asserted that its coverage of the tournament reached an astonishing 635 million viewers in India. An ICC-commissioned report, perhaps with a touch of hyperbole, even claimed that the tournament was watched by "over 1.5 billion people" globally. These numbers, while impressive, are often subject to various methodologies and interpretations, and should perhaps be viewed with a critical eye.

Broadcasting rights

The distribution of broadcasting rights is a complex global network, ensuring that the Cricket World Cup reaches audiences across diverse geographical regions and through various media platforms. The following networks were responsible for broadcasting the tournament:

| Location | Television broadcaster(s) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 1 | New Zealand | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 2.564 | | 2 | Australia | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 2.257 | | 3 | Sri Lanka | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0.371 | | 4 | Bangladesh | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0.136 | | 5 | England | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | −0.753 | | 6 | Afghanistan | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | −1.853 | | 7 | Scotland | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −2.218 |

Source: ESPNcricinfo

• Advanced to knockout stage.

Pool A Matches

Pool B

The Pool B standings after the group stage matches are presented below, showcasing the teams that successfully navigated this phase to advance to the knockout stage.

Pos Team Pld W L T NR Pts NRR
1  India 6 6 0 0 0 12 1.827
2  South Africa 6 4 2 0 0 8 1.707
3  Pakistan 6 4 2 0 0 8 −0.085
4  West Indies 6 3 3 0 0 6 −0.053
5  Ireland 6 3 3 0 0 6 −0.933
6  Zimbabwe 6 1 5 0 0 2 −0.527
7  United Arab Emirates 6 0 6 0 0 0 −2.032

Source: ESPNcricinfo

• Advanced to knockout stage.

Pool B Matches

Knockout stage

The knockout stage of the 2015 Cricket World Cup represented the sharp end of the competition, where single-elimination matches determined which teams would advance and which would face the ignominy of going home. While the dates and venues for these crucial matches were pre-determined, a pragmatic flexibility was built into the schedule: the specific match-ups could be adjusted to accommodate the host countries, Australia and New Zealand, should they qualify.

Both host nations, as expected, successfully progressed to the quarter-finals. Australia played their quarter-final match on 20 March in Adelaide, while New Zealand hosted their quarter-final on 21 March in Wellington. Following this, Sri Lanka, being the next highest ranked team to qualify, was slated to play their quarter-final in Sydney. Had England advanced, as the third-highest ranked team from the group stage, they would have played in Melbourne. However, England’s rather underwhelming performance meant they failed to qualify for the quarter-finals, and their spot was subsequently taken by Bangladesh. The pairings for the quarter-finals were structured logically, following the sequence of A1 vs B4, A2 vs B3, A3 vs B2, and A4 vs B1.

New Zealand’s semi-final encounter against South Africa was played on 24 March in Auckland, setting the stage for a tense trans-Tasman rivalry. Australia’s semi-final clash with India took place on 26 March in Sydney. In a fitting, if somewhat predictable, turn of events, both host nations ultimately qualified for the final. The tournament culminated with Australia emerging victorious, defeating New Zealand by 7 wickets to claim the trophy.

graph TD
    subgraph Quarter-finals
        A3[Sri Lanka] --> QF1
        B2[South Africa] --> QF1
        A1[New Zealand] --> QF2
        B4[West Indies] --> QF2
        A2[Australia] --> QF3
        B3[Pakistan] --> QF3
        B1[India] --> QF4
        A4[Bangladesh] --> QF4
    end

    subgraph Semi-finals
        QF1 --> SF1
        QF2 --> SF1
        QF3 --> SF2
        QF4 --> SF2
    end

    subgraph Final
        SF1 --> FinalMatch
        SF2 --> FinalMatch
    end

    QF1[South Africa (134/1)]
    QF2[New Zealand (393/6)]
    QF3[Australia (216/4)]
    QF4[India (302/6)]

    SF1[New Zealand (299/6)]
    SF2[Australia (328/7)]

    FinalMatch[Australia (186/3)]
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals

Final

The grand culmination of the 2015 Cricket World Cup was the final match, a high-stakes encounter that determined the ultimate champion of the tournament.

Statistics

The 2015 Cricket World Cup statistics offer a numerical summary of individual performances, highlighting the players who excelled with both bat and ball throughout the tournament. These figures, while not telling the whole story, provide a clear indication of who truly dominated their respective crafts.

Most runs

Player Team Runs
Martin Guptill  New Zealand 547
Kumar Sangakkara  Sri Lanka 541
AB de Villiers  South Africa 482
Brendan Taylor  Zimbabwe 433
Shikhar Dhawan  India 412

Source: CricInfo

Most wickets

Player Team Wickets
Mitchell Starc  Australia 22
Trent Boult  New Zealand 22
Umesh Yadav  India 18
Mohammed Shami  India 17
Morné Morkel  South Africa 17
Jerome Taylor  West Indies 17

Source: CricInfo

Controversies

No major sporting event is truly complete without its share of contentious moments, and the 2015 Cricket World Cup was no exception. These incidents, often fueled by split-second decisions and intense nationalistic fervor, inevitably sparked debate and, in some cases, outright outrage.

  • The Pool A match between Australia and England concluded amidst a flurry of confusion when James Anderson was controversially run out immediately after James Taylor had been given out lbw. The critical detail emerged later: Taylor's decision was reviewed and subsequently overturned. The ICC, in a rare admission of fallibility, later conceded that the ball should have been declared dead (as per Article 3.6a of Appendix 6 of the Decision Review System Playing Conditions). This meant, unequivocally, that Anderson's dismissal was incorrect. A clear demonstration of how human error, even with the aid of technology, can still manage to muck things up.

  • During the Pool B match featuring Ireland and Zimbabwe, a pivotal moment occurred during a tight run chase. Sean Williams was caught by Ireland's John Mooney, but the legality of the catch was immediately questioned. Mooney was positioned precariously close to the boundary rope, and a staggering eight different television replays proved utterly inconclusive as to whether his foot had made contact with the boundary. Despite this ambiguity, Williams, perhaps resigned to his fate or simply adhering to the spirit of the game, walked off, and the umpires signaled him out. A decision made in the fog of war, where definitive proof remained elusive.

  • The second quarter-final match, a heated clash between India and Bangladesh, became a veritable hotbed of controversy, sparking diplomatic incidents and accusations of bias. One particular flashpoint involved Rubel Hossain bowling a full toss to Rohit Sharma, who was subsequently caught at square-leg. However, the umpire deemed the ball to be excessively high and declared it a no-ball, thereby nullifying the dismissal and allowing Sharma to continue batting. This decision, to put it mildly, did not go down well with the Bangladeshi camp. Furthermore, there was another instance involving Shikhar Dhawan catching a ball hit by Mahmudullah Riyad near the boundary line, with accusations surfacing that Dhawan's leg had touched the boundary rope after completing the catch, though replays again offered no conclusive evidence.

    The fallout was swift and dramatic. The ICC's own Bangladeshi President, Mustafa Kamal, publicly questioned the integrity of the umpire's decision and went so far as to threaten to resign in protest. Not to be outdone, Bangladesh's Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, weighed in, unequivocally stating that India had won the match solely due to "umpiring errors." This, of course, presented the ICC with a rather inconvenient public relations nightmare. ICC chief executive Dave Richardson was forced to respond, dismissing the accusations as "baseless" and founded on the "personal feelings of an individual." He asserted that the no-ball incident was a "50–50 call" and that the ultimate decision rested squarely with the umpire. A classic case of post-match recrimination, where the outcome of a game transcends mere sport to become a matter of national pride and perceived injustice.

See also