Past battles were filled with drama, intrigue and pure heartbreak

The Cricket World Cup starts in England on Thursday and AFP Sports takes a look back at the history of the showpiece from the time South Africa was admitted to the event in 1992.

In the final Pakistan scored 249 for six against England, who were dismissed for 227.

In the 1996 final, Sri Lanka held Australia to a total of 241 and Aravinda de Silva hit a superb century as his side won by seven wickets.

In 1999, Australia came through several tense matches to win a second World Cup as hosts England exited early.

Australia met South Africa in a semifinal that ended in a remarkable tie when South Africa’s Allan Donald was run out with two balls remaining. The result meant Australia went through to the final because of their better net run-rate in the Super Six.

The final was a let-down as a contest, with Australia thrashing Pakistan by eight wickets at Lord’s as leg-spin great Shane Warne took four wickets.

In 2003, main hosts South Africa suffered yet more heartache when they bowed out in bizarre fashion during a rain-hit match against Sri Lanka. They thought they had won but in fact they needed one more run by the time the match was stopped.

The final at Johannesburg’s Wanderers ground was dominated by Ricky Ponting’s majestic unbeaten 140 as Australia beat India by 125 runs.

The 2007 tournament was overshadowed by the death of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer.

India made an early exit during a tournament at which Australia were rarely challenged. Nothing quite summed up their dominance quite like wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist’s dashing hundred during the final against Sri Lanka on the island of Barbados.

In 2011, the tournament returned to the subcontinent and India beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in an exciting final in Mumbai. Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene scored a majestic hundred in a total of 274. But Gautam Gambhir’s composed 97 and a captain’s innings of 91 not out from MS Dhoni, that ended with a straight six, saw India through.

The 2015 tournament staged in Australia and New Zealand saw both co-hosts make it into the final.

New Zealand’s total of 183 was too low and their nearneighbours cantered to victory by seven wickets.