The tournament in South Africa was increased to 14 teams and there was another Super 6 stage.

Australia spinner Shane Warne pulled out beforehand after failing a drugs test.

England refused to play in Zimbabwe for political and security reasons. New Zealand did the same in Kenya and India almost did not turn up at all after a sponsors' dispute.

Hosts South Africa exited early after misreading their Duckworth/Lewis chart while Ricky Ponting's outstanding 140 helped Australia crush India in the final.