West Indies at World cup cricket: Two-time champions haven’t made semi-finals since 1996

2003 World Cup; failed to proceed beyond group stage

Led by Carl Hooper, the Windies had a good start by defeating hosts South Africa by 3 runs in Group B in Cape Town. They lost the next match to New Zealand by 20 runs and had to share the points with Bangladesh after their game remained inconclusive because of rain. The Caribbeans then beat Canada by 7 wickets but lost a crucial game against Sri Lanka by six runs. The West Indies hammered Kenya by 142 runs in their final game but sharing the points with Bangladesh proved to be costly for them as they were knocked out despite a better net runrate.

2007 World Cup; failed to proceed beyond Super Eight stage

Lara was back at the helm again for the first World Cup that the Windies organised at home. The hosts had a terrific run in the group stage as they thumped Pakistan by 54 runs; Zimbabwe by 6 wickets and Ireland by 8 wickets in Duckworth-Lewis method. However, the Super Eight stage proved to be too hot for the West Indies as they could win only one game out of six. They were thrashed by eventual champions Australia by 103 runs; by New Zealand by 7 wickets; by Sri Lanka by 113 runs; by South Africa by 67 runs and by England by 1 wicket even after scoring 300. West Indies’ only win came against Bangladesh who they beat by 99 runs.