After 24 years, the men's World cup will return to Africa
As the men's Cricket World Cup prepares to return to Africa after 24 years, the article reflects on the 2003 tournament hosted by South Africa. Players and fans share memories of the event, which remains a significant cultural and sporting milestone for the region.
Why it matters
The return of a major global sporting event to the African continent highlights the growth and historical significance of cricket in the region.
Where were you in 2003? Specifically from February 9 to March 23? If you were in South Africa you couldn’t escape the men’s World Cup. It was played by 14 teams at a dozen grounds across the country, along with one each in Harare and Bulawayo and another in Nairobi. Dazzler, the tournament’s zebra mascot, was everywhere. It was named after the collective noun for the equine animal, as in a dazzle of zebras. Even if you didn’t care about cricket, cricket did you the favour of pretending you did. South Africans’ heart skipped a beat when Brian Lara’s 116 and not a lot else led to the home side’s defeat by three runs in the opening match at a wet and windy Newlands. Makhaya Ntini doesn’t have to think hard to remember. He was there; he had a pulling Lara caught at mid-on.
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