Cricket world cup 2011 is approaching, less than a month is left. The tournament initially planned to be hosted by four nations of subcontinent will be held in three countries as Pakistan (due to security reasons) is not allowed to host any match. The schedule for matches and analysis of the teams will be added later on to the blog. Firstly let us glance for a moment at the history of the world cup and the champions of each occasion.
First cricket world-cup was hosted by England in 1975, 8 teams ( 6 Test Playing Nations) participated in the competition. These were England, Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, India, and Pakistan. Sri Lanka and East Africa though non test playing nations were included in the competition. West Indies won this cup. 
Second cricket world-cup was again hosted by England in 1979, 8 teams (6 Test Playing Nations) participated in the competition. These were England, Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, India, and Pakistan. Sri Lanka and Canada though non test playing nations were included in the competition. West Indies won consecutively. 
Third cricket world-cup was also held in England in 1983, 8 teams (7 Test Playing Nations) participated in the competition. These were England, Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Zimbabwe though not a test playing nation was included in the competition. This time however it was India who carried the world cup home.
Fourth cricket world-cup was co-hosted by India and Pakistan in 1987, 8 teams (7 Test Playing Nations) participated in the competition. These were England, Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Zimbabwe though not a test playing nation was included in the competition. This time Australia achieved victory and took the trophy home.
Fifth cricket world-cup was held in Australia in 1992, this was the first time that colored kits and white ball was used in cricket tournament. This world cup also introduced Day/ Night matches. Two Pool system was not used and a mega single pool was created in which every team played against all the participants. 9 teams (8 Test Playing Nations) participated in the competition. These were England, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Zimbabwe though not a test playing nation was included in the competition. Pakistan in-spite of shaky start got a lucky break and managed to take home the trophy.
Sixth cricket world-cup was co-hosted by India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 1996. This was the first time the quarter final were introduced in the competition. 12 teams (9 Test Playing Nations) participated in the competition. These were England, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. Three non test playing teams Netherlands, UAE and Kenya were included in the competition. This time it was Sri Lanka's Turn to rule the cricket world for next three years.
Seventh cricket world-cup was held in England in 1999. In this world cup the cricketing community tested the concept of super sixes to eliminate luck factor. 12 teams (9 Test Playing Nations) participated in the competition. These were England, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. Three non test playing teams Scotland, Bangladesh and Kenya were included in the competition. This was the last world cup of the century and Australia got the honor of winning it. 
Eighth cricket world-cup was co-hosted by South Africa, Kenya and Zimbabwe in 2003. 14 teams (10 Test Playing Nations) participated in the competition. These were England, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. Four non test playing teams Canada, Netherlands, Namibia and Kenya were included in the competition. The first world cup of 21st century was also won by Australia. 
Lastly the Ninth cricket world-cup was hosted by West Indies in 2007. 16 teams (9 Test Playing Nations; as test status was stripped from Zimbabwe in 2005) participated in the competition. These were England, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Five non test playing teams Canada, Ireland, Netherlands, Zimbabwe and Kenya were included in the competition.This competition was won by Australia for third consecutive time.
