Six huge World Cup upsets

The Cricket World Cup has had its fair share of shocks over the years. Here are six of the biggest surprises in the tournament's history, which can give hope to Canada, Ireland, Kenya and the Netherlands ahead of this year's addition, which begins this weekend.

1) Sri Lanka beats India, 1979

Yes they won the Cup in 1996 and are one of the favourites to win it again this year, but once upon a time Sri Lanka were the Bangladesh of the international cricket scene. Three years before playing their first Test match, the Sri Lankans came up against India in the first round of the 1979 Cup in England. After being flogged by nine wickets by New Zealand in their opening match, the Sri Lankans were sent in to bat by India at Old Trafford, scoring a solid 238 from their 60 overs (yes, they used to play 60-over ODIs in the old days).

In reply, India was bowled out for just 191, with not-quite-household names Tony Opatha (3 for 31) and Somachandra De Silva (3 for 29) cleaning up with the ball for Sri Lanka. It was the first time a Test-playing nation was beaten by a non-Test playing nation at a World Cup.

2) Zimbabwe beats Australia, 1983

Years before Duncan Fletcher became the coach that led England to the 2005 Ashes victory, he tormented Australia as a player in one of the biggest cricket upsets of all time. On the first day of the 1983 tournament, the all-rounder made 69 not out and took 4 for 42 as lowly Zimbabwe defeated an Australian team featuring Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thompson, Allan Border and Rod Marsh.

Zimbabwe didn't win another game all tournament, but Australia also struggled – finishing third in their group behind the West Indies and India and failing to reach the second round.

3) India beats West Indies, twice, in 1983

In the early 1980s, the West Indies boasted one of history's greatest cricket teams. Their top order included Gordon Greenidge, Des Haynes, Viv Richards and Clive Lloyd, and their ferocious bowling attack consisted of Joel Garner, Andy Roberts, Malcom Marshall and Michael Holding. What's more, they had won cricket's first two World Cups, going through unbeaten in both tournaments.

When they were beaten by 34 runs by relative minnows India in their first match of the 1983 tournament, it was largely seen as a one-off. Surely enough, the powerful Windies topped their group, charging all the way to the final where they again faced the plucky Indians. After dismissing the underdogs for just 183, the reigning champions looked sure things – until Kapil Dev's men weaved their magic and bowled out Richards and co for just 140. It was arguably the win that awakened the sleeping giant of Indian cricket, sparking years of progress that would lead to India becoming the game's dominant force.

4) Kenya beats the West Indies, 1996

It was a complete mismatch when two-time champions the West Indies – boasting Brian Lara, Richie Richardson, Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh among their ranks – came up against a team consisting solely of amateurs from Kenya. And it looked all but over when Kenya was bowled out for 166, with Ambrose and Walsh taking five wickets between them.

But a magic bowling display from the Kenyans – and a horror batting effort from the West Indies – changed everything. Rajab Ali, who would play only nine internationals in his career, dismissed both Lara and Richardson and when he took the final wicket of the match, the mighty West Indies had been dismissed for just 93 – giving Kenya a classic 73-run victory.

5) Ireland beats Pakistan, 2007

A gambling man could have made a motza if he had predicted the result of this one, which sent a talented Pakistan team crashing out of the World Cup just four days after it began. In wet conditions, the Pakistanis managed to be bowled out for just 132 against a less-than-star-studded Irish bowling attack, in scenes reminiscent of Pakistan's stunning batting collapse against Australia at the SCG last year.

We will not speculate about how Pakistan managed to lose such a game, which, wonderfully, took place on St Patrick's Day.

6) Bangladesh beat India, 2007

India have gone into the 2011 World Cup as raging favourites, but it's worth remembering that four years ago the Indians were knocked out in the group stage – thanks largely to this shock defeat against subcontinent neighbours Bangladesh. Paceman Mashrafe Mortaza – now ranked among the top 25 bowlers in ODI cricket – ripped through the Indian lineup with 4 for 38 as the favourites were bowled out for just 191, a target Bangladesh chased down with five wickets in hand.

Indian fans labelled their team's performance "shambolic", with effigies of then Indian coach (and now Australian selector) Greg Chappell burned in the streets. Expect a similarly drastic response if the Indians crumble under the pressure at their home World Cup this time around.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of BigPond Sport.