CWC Countdown: 9 days to go - Crazy nines from minnows

Sport360 staff 18:44 04/02/2015
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  • Austin Codrington was Canada's hero against Bangladesh in 2003.

    The Cricket World Cup kicks off in nine days in Australia; Sport360 takes a look at the magic behind the number '9', with differing fortunes for minnows Canada and Namibia. 

    World Cup history is filled with many a mauling of the minnows who come up against the big fishes of world cricket.

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    However, with pride not at stake and nothing to lose, minnows can sometimes shock even the best in the business and there are several glaring examples with the likes of Bangladesh and Ireland winning against giants when no one even thought that they could mount a challenge.

    An even smaller cricketing nation, Canada, claimed their first ever World Cup win back in 2003, when a nine-over burst from pacer Austin Codrington left Bangaldesh stunned.

    Batting first, Canada were bowled out for 180 and a target of 181 looked an easy chase for Bangladesh but Codrington had other ideas.

    Surprisingly, Bangladesh bundled out in just 28 overs on 120 with Codrington picking up a five-for in his nine overs conceding just 27 runs.

    To this day, Canada have only won two World Cup matches, the other being a five-wicket victory against Kenya in 2011.   

    Among other minnows’ records, Ireland’s Kyle McCallan has got four ducks in nine world cup matches while Namibia’s Serrie Synman has left even McCallan behind in the duck game. Synman was so shy of the balls that he registered three golden ducks despite facing just nine balls in his four innings in 2003.

    SPORT360's CRICKET WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN

    – 10 days to go: Chris Old's record still new 
    – 11 days to go: Viv Richards wins it for West Indies
    – 12 days to go: The support from outside the rope
    – 13 days to go: O'Brien storm blows England away

    – 14 days to go: Arvinda de Silva in world of his own
    – 15 days to go: Australia bamboozle the Namibians
    – 16 days to go: New format catches out India, Pakistan
    – 17 days to go: Madan Lal’s 17 wickets help India to triumph
    – 18 days to go: Dennis delight at first World Cup century
    – 19 days to go: Economical Imran Khan of Pakistan
    – 20 days to go: Bichel cleans up against England
    – 21 days to go: Sachin Tendulkar the runs machine
    – 22 days to go: The unwanted record of Nathan Astle
    – 23 days to go: Nehra rattles England in South Africa
    – 24 days to go: The great Kapil Dev's strike rate for India
    – 25 days to go: Australia's Invincibles dominate for eight
    – 26 days to go: Glenn McGrath's wicket-taking exploits
    – 27 days to go: Zaheer Khan's striking ability
    – 28 days to go: Herschelle Gibbs just loves sixes
    – 29 days to go: Australia's 29-ball haul destroys India

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