2019 Cricket World Cup: The story so far

The 10-team group stage is now over with hosts England joined by Australia, India and New Zealand in the semi-finals.

Published Jul 7, 2019

India pipped Australia to top spot as the World Cup group stage reached its climax after five and a half weeks and 45 fixtures – four of them yielding no result.

The inclement weather was an early talking point but the incessant rain thankfully gave way and allowed the cricket to take centre stage, with some memorable headlines created.

Here, Press Association Sport looks at some of the highlights and lowlights of the tournament so far.

Star man

Shakib Al Hasan, right, has been in electric form in this tournament (David Davies/PA)

Biggest disappointment

Rashid Khan, right, struggled to justify the hype around him (Mark Kerton/PA)

Magic moment

Ben Stokes athletic catch against South Africa hit the headlines (Nigel French/PA) — Ben Stokes’ athletic catch against South Africa hit the headlines (Nigel French/PA)

Rain, rain, go away

Bangladesh v Sri Lanka – ICC Cricket World Cup – Group Stage – Bristol County Ground — Ground staff at Bristol were kept particularly busy (Nick Potts/PA)

The gruesome twosome

Steve Smith, left, and David Warner have been routinely booed around the grounds (Mark Kerton/PA)

Bails controversy

Mohammad Saifuddin was given a life against England when the ball hit his stumps but the bails did not fall (David Davies/PA)

Rihanna? At Chester-le-Street?

Rihanna watched the West Indies lost to Sri Lanka at Chester-le-Street (Owen Humphreys/PA) — Rihanna watched the West Indies lose to Sri Lanka at Chester-le-Street (Owen Humphreys/PA)