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The ICC was so taken up
by the money that was raised that it promptly
announced that the tournament would henceforth
be a regular feature and be played every
two years in between the showpiece event,
the World Cup.
The knockout format added to the excitement,
with the teams knowing that there was no
second chance available. The poor Australians
learnt about it the hard way. They traveled
halfway or more around the globe only to
run into an inspired Sachin Tendulkar, who
with a blistering century ensured that the
Aussies took the next flight back home.
Of course it was the turn of the Indians’
themselves next to fly home, the West Indies,
who had beaten Pakistan earlier, putting
them out and advancing to the final where
they met South Africa, who had got the better
of Sri Lanka.
Eventually it was the South Africans who
emerged triumphant. They owed a lot of their
success to all-rounder Jaques Kallis, the
uncontested Man of the Series. Kallis was
simply unstoppable, scoring tons with the
bat and and bagging five-wicket hauls with
the ball.
All in all, a highly successful tournament.
It was extremely well organized too, the
credit going to the ICC as well hosts Bangladesh
Cricket Board.
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