2003 Cricket World Cup

For more coverage of cricket, go to the .

Controversies

There were a number of pre-tournament controversies, including the possible refusal of many Indian players to play due to their inability to promote their personal sponsors (many of whom provide most of the players' income, but whose products clash with those of the tournament sponsor).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Also raised was the security and political situation in Zimbabwe, and the appropriateness of playing there given the alleged misdeeds of the regime of Robert Mugabe. Two Zimbabwean players, Andy Flower and Henry Olonga (the former white, the latter black) wore black armbands for their opening game, and issued a strong statement explaining that they were "mourning the death of democracy in Zimbabwe". Both men subsequently retired from Zimbabwean cricket, and began playing overseas, Olonga stating that to continue "would be condoning the grotesque human rights violations that have been perpetrated - and continue to be perpetrated - against my fellow countrymen."

Related Topics:
Zimbabwe - Robert Mugabe - Andy Flower - Henry Olonga

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Australian star player Shane Warne was sent home from the cup in disgrace, only the day before their opening game, after a positive drug test in a lead-up competition in Australia.

Related Topics:
Shane Warne - Drug test

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

England faced a great deal of domestic pressure to boycott their match in Zimbabwe on political grounds, and after some prevarication—initially announcing that they would play—did not play, citing fears for the players' safety. Similarly, New Zealand decided against playing in Kenya because of security fears.

Related Topics:
England - New Zealand

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~