Cricket World Cup 1st XI: 9) Kenya makes semis in tenuous circumstances

Shane Bond (R), delivering a ball to an Indian batsman in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 game at the Centurion ground in Pretoria, South Africa. Photo / Getty Images

With the Cricket World Cup just over a month away, we list the stories that have defined the tournament.

9) The 2003 World Cup was the tournament of forfeits, and New Zealand were knee deep.

When the International Cricket Council awarded hosting rights to three countries - South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya - it was asking for trouble.

South Africa could have easily hosted it solo, but a desire to spread the word led to trouble.

England refused to travel to Harare to play Zimbabwe in their pool game after threats were made to their safety by a group called the Sons and Daughters of Zimbabwe.

England officials had known for months about the threats. Did they tell the players at the time? No.

So while other teams were playing matches, or practising, England holed up in a Cape Town hotel to discuss whether to travel or not, and bailed out.

Then it was New Zealand's turn. They were due to travel to Nairobi to play Kenya in a group game, but weren't happy.

Their security concerns were fuelled by a bomb in Mombasa, two months previously, which killed 16 people.

Their request for a shift of venue was opposed by the Kenya Cricket Association. New Zealand, aware that a forfeiture could prevent them progressing beyond the Super Six stage, threatened to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, but didn't.

The ICC executive refused to switch the game to South Africa, ruling the venue safe.

New Zealand opted not to appeal to the event's technical committee.

They didn't have a great time in any case. They lost early to Sri Lanka, beat the West Indies and then South Africa in a rain-affected game by nine wickets, with Stephen Fleming striking a fine 134 not out.

Then came the Kenya fiasco. Points were carried over into the Super Six.

Kenya then surprised by beating Sri Lanka by 53 runs in Nairobi and as New Zealand came unstuck against Australia - despite a superb six for 23 by Shane Bond, they were rolled for 112 - and India, by seven wickets, Kenya improbably made the semifinals as New Zealand trooped off home.

That was always beyond Kenya's scope, and they lost by 91 runs to eventual winners Australia. Call that a high point for Kenyan cricket if you will. The game has fallen away amid claims of corruption in recent years.