Australia and the West Indies in Sri Lanka, 1996 World Cup

Sri Lanka were scheduled to host four group-stage games, against Australia, the West Indies, Zimbabwe, and Kenya, at the 1996 World Cup. Then, on January 31, fourteen days before the World Cup was about to set underway, the Central Bank bombing in Colombo killed 91 and injured 1,400.

Australia and the West Indies immediately declined to tour, citing security concerns, and demanded full points from the games. When Sri Lankan board president Ana Punchihewa contested this preposterous suggestion, ICC chair Clyde Walcott sought a truce by offering shared points. Punchihewa declined again.

When the matter was put to vote, Walcott’s suggestion won, but Punchihewa insisted on re-polling. This time his demand of two points won by one vote. Sri Lanka were assured of four points. They eventually won the World Cup.

England in Zimbabwe, 2003 World Cup

A similar scenario played out in 2003, when England refused to tour Harare “citing safety fears”, less than a month after the arrest of Job Sikhala, an opposition MP. This time there was no debate: Zimbabwe were awarded full points.

New Zealand in Kenya, 2003 World Cup

New Zealand conceded their game against Kenya at Nairobi a week later citing security concerns. NZC had sent a delegation that “received strong information that there are active terrorist organisations currently operating in Nairobi which have the means and capability of launching a terrorist attack” and that the organisations were “looking to target Western interests in Nairobi”.

New Zealand still qualified for the Super Sixes, but the butterfly effect of the walkover catapulted Kenya to the top six (and subsequently the semi-finals) for the only time in World Cup history.

Opting out of entire tournaments – for other reasons

West Indies in New Zealand, 1982 Women’s World Cup

In 1981, during the heart of apartheid, New Zealand had invited the South African rugby team amidst wide protests. As a result, the West Indies refused to travel for next year’s World Cup. The organisers had to field an International XI, made up of cricketers from other participating teams.

Zimbabwe in England, 2009 T20 World Cup

Zimbabwe Cricket pulled out of the 2009 T20 World Cup “in the larger interests of the game” when they were informed that the British government might not grant visas to their cricketers. “We don't want to be gatecrashers; we will attend only those weddings to which we are invited,” said ZC chair Peter Chingoka.

Zimbabwe’s withdrawal enabled a third Association to qualify. While Ireland and the Netherlands, the top two, would have made it anyway, Scotland finished third in the Qualifiers to fill that spot.

New Zealand in the West Indies, 2022 Under-19 World Cup

Covid-19 was not as intensive in 2022 as it used to be back in 2020 or even 2021, but the restrictions, including mandatory quarantine periods, were still around. This prompted New Zealand to withdraw because of “extensive mandatory quarantine restrictions for minors on their return home”. Scotland took their place.

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