Cricket World cup 2011, Biggest Tournament of Cricket World !!

Let me start my article by asking a simple question, Do you like Cricket ?
Nope ? Did I asked something wrong ?
Okay, let me re-write it, Do you love Cricket ?
Now, probably your answer is YES !! And if your answer is still No, then probably this article can change your view, as the amount of excitement involved in this game is equivalent to anyother game!!

Let me give you an introduction to the Biggest tournament of Cricket, which is held every four years (same as Olympics, FIFA world cup, and many major tournaments) !!! Many teams participate in this tournament to win this tournament, it involves ODI matches (that is 50 overs per side, that is on an average a match will end in 7 hours). There are group matches, and then super 6/8 (depending on the teams participating), also known as quarter finals, then you have semifinal (having only 4 teams) and then you have final (2 teams, and one will be the winner !!). This was a brief introduction in general about Cricket world cup. Also, it is the 3rd largest and the biggest tournament, related to sports on the Earth !

Now, I share some highlights of the Cricket World cup 2011,

• No. of teams participating: 14
• No. of countries Hosting: 3 (India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh)
• No. of groups: 2 (7 in each group)
• No. of teams advances to next round (quarter finals): 8 (Top 4 from each group)
• First Match date (inauguration match): 19th February, 2011 (India v/s Bangladesh)
• Last Match date (Final Match): 2nd April, 2011
• Total No. of Venues: 13 (2 from Bangladesh, 3 from Sri Lanka, 8 from India).
• No. of umpires selected for the whole tournament (excluding reserve umpires): 18
• Mascot: Stumpy (shows young and energetic standing elephant)
  
• Names of Knockout Rounds: Quater, Semi and Final (group stage matches are not knockout).
• Total No. of matches: 49 (1 Final, 2 Semi-Finals, 4 Quarter finals, 42 group stage matches).
• No. of matches each team will play in group stage: 6

See the below image, which shows the venue for the quarter final, semi-final and final matches with dates !

Pictorial view of Knock Out Rounds

Now, I would be sharing how the teams are divided (alphabetically sorted),

Group A:

• Australia
• Canada
• Kenya
• New Zealand
• Pakistan
• Sri Lanka
• Zimbabwe

Group-B:

• Bangladesh
• England
• India
• Ireland
• Netherlands
• South Africa
• West Indies

We will be sharing more information, as the tournament starting date approaches !
Till then Good bye from our side, and have fun.. Keep surfing !!