The 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup was the eighth Cricket World Cup, organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC). It was co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya from 9 February to 23 March 2003. This edition of the World Cup was the first to be played in Africa.
Deshabandu Warnakulasuriya Patabendige Ushantha Gerald Joseph Chaminda Vaas is a former Sri Lankan international cricketer, who played all forms of the game, and a former ODI captain who is often described as the greatest fast medium bowler Sri Lanka has produced, due to his highly accurate lines, lengths and capability of swinging the ball. Vaas currently holds the record for the best bowling figures in ODI history, and is the only bowler to take an 8-wicket haul in ODIs.
The Zimbabwe national cricket team, also known as the Chevrons, represents Zimbabwe in men's international cricket and is overseen by Zimbabwe Cricket. Zimbabwe has been a Full Member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) since 1992. As of March, 2022, Zimbabwe is currently ranked 10th in Tests, 13th in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 11th in Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) by the ICC.
Separamadu Lasith Malinga, nicknamed "Slinga Malinga", is a Sri Lankan former cricketer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest limited overs bowlers of all time. Malinga captained the Sri Lankan 2014 T20 World Cup winning side and is the only bowler to take 4 wickets in 4 balls twice in international cricket. Malinga is a right-arm fast bowler that is commonly used as a specialist death bowler, and is well known for his distinctive round-arm action, sometimes referred to as a sling action, hence his aforementioned nickname. Malinga announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on 14 September 2021.
Lance Klusener is an international cricket coach and former cricketer of South Africa. He was known for his aggressive batting and his fast-medium swing bowling. He called himself as a "fill-in bowler who can bat a bit". He was known for his ferocious batting, ability to hit the deck hard and ability to take wickets on crunch situations, ability to break partnerships.
Denagamage Praboth Mahela de Silva Jayawardene is a former Sri Lankan cricketer who is the current consultant coach of the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team and the Head Coach of the Indian Premier League franchise Mumbai Indians. He is the most successful captain for Sri Lanka along with Sanath Jayasuriya. During the time of his captaincy, he was known mainly for his tactical acumen for decades and was rewarded for his captaincy instincts.
Dandeniyage Somachandra de Silva also known as D. S. de Silva is a former Sri Lankan cricketer, who played Test and One Day International cricket in the 1970s and 1980s. He is the first ODI cap for Sri Lanka, second test cap for Sri Lanka and was part of Sri Lanka's first test team. He bowled leg spin, and on the tour of Pakistan in 1982 he became the first Sri Lankan bowler to take five wickets in a Test innings. He was also the oldest player to lead Sri Lanka in test cricket during a test tour to New Zealand in 1983. He is also regarded as the longest serving spinner to have played for Sri Lanka and considered one of the finest leg spinners to have emerged from Sri Lanka.
Kevin Malcolm Curran was a Zimbabwean international cricketer. He was part of Zimbabwe's first One Day International side following independence at the 1983 Cricket World Cup. He went on to be the head coach of the Zimbabwe national cricket team from August 2005 until September 2007.
Timothy Grant Southee, is a New Zealand international cricketer who plays for New Zealand cricket team in all formats of the game and vice captains in T20Is. He is a right-arm fast-medium bowler and a hard-hitting lower order batsman. The third New Zealand bowler to take 300 Test wickets, he was one of the country's youngest cricketers, debuting at the age of 19 in February 2008. On his Test debut against England he took 5 wickets and made 77 off 40 balls in the second innings. He plays for Northern Districts in the Plunket Shield, Ford Trophy and Super Smash as well as Northland in the Hawke Cup. He was named as New Zealand's captain for the first T20I against West Indies in place of Kane Williamson, who was rested for that game. The Blackcaps won that match by 47 runs.
Deshabandu Asanka Pradeep Gurusinha is a Sri Lankan Australian former international cricketer who had an 11-year international career, playing 41 Tests and 147 One Day Internationals for Sri Lanka. He was a key member for 1996 Cricket World Cup winning team for Sri Lanka, who is a specialist batsman helped to win the 1996 World Cup final with 65 in a partnership of 125 with the final's Man of the Match, Aravinda de Silva.
Mario Suresh Villavarayan also spelt as Mario Villavarayen is a former Sri Lankan cricketer of Tamil origin. He was a right-handed batsman and a right-arm fast-medium bowler. He played 116 first-class and 58 List A matches for various teams in Sri Lanka. He represented Sri Lanka at the 1998 Commonwealth Games, where cricket was included in the Commonwealth Games for the first time. He also worked as fitness trainer of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh men's national cricket teams for six years each. He also held the dual role as fast bowling coach and fitness trainer coach of defunct LPL team Jaffna Stallions. He is also renowned for raising his concerns over the need of national fitness policy in Sri Lanka.
The Kenyan cricket team toured Sri Lanka from January and February 2002 to play three first-class and three List A matches against Sri Lanka A. Kenya additionally played a two-day tour match against the BCCSL Academy XI which resulted in a draw. The first-class series, dubbed unofficial Test matches, was won by Sri Lanka A 3–nil. The List A series was won by Kenya 2–1.
Ranasinghe Arachchige Suranga Lakmal is a former professional Sri Lankan cricketer, who played in all formats of the game and is a former Test cricket captain. He is a right-arm fast bowler and right-handed batsman. He started his cricket life in Debarawewa National School, Tissamaharama. He was first included in the national squad for the tour of Pakistan in 2008-2009 and was reported to have been injured in the attack on the Sri Lankan team by terrorists.
Pinnaduwage Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva, better known as Wanindu Hasaranga, is a Sri Lankan international cricketer who plays for the Sri Lanka cricket team in white ball cricket as a bowling All rounder. He is a Right-arm leg spinner. Hasaranga made his international debut for Sri Lanka in July 2017. His elder brother, Chaturanga de Silva, has also represented the national team.
Pasqual Handi Kamindu Dilanka Mendis, popularly as Kamindu Mendis, is a professional Sri Lankan cricketer who plays for the national team, and for Colombo Cricket Club in domestic cricket. He is an ambidextrous bowler and has bowled both right and left-arm deliveries during the same over. He made his international debut for the Sri Lanka cricket team in October 2018.
Neketh Gedara Roshan Prabath Jayasuriya, commonly known as Prabath Jayasuriya, is a professional Sri Lankan cricketer who plays for the national team. In domestic matches, he plays for Colts Cricket Club and Jaffna Stallions.
Pathum Nissanka Silva is a professional Lankan cricketer who plays for Sri Lanka in all three formats of the game. He made his international debut for the Sri Lanka cricket team in March 2021 and currently slotted as the permanent opening batsman.
Morawakage Maheesh Theekshana is a professional Sri Lankan cricketer who plays for the national team in all three formats of the game. He made his international debut for Sri Lanka in September 2021. His bowling action resembles similar to that of former Sri Lankan mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis who coincidentally happens to be his mentor with Sri Lanka Army cricket team. He is attached with Sri Lanka Army and plays club cricket for Sri Lanka Army Sports Club.
The Australian cricket team toured Sri Lanka in June and July 2022 to play two Tests, five One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 International (T20Is) matches. The Test series formed part of the 2021–2023 ICC World Test Championship. Both cricket boards confirmed the fixtures for the tour in March 2022.
