The stage is set for the ICC World Cup 2023 with England and New Zealand ready to continue their last edition’s rivalry in this year’s inaugural game on 5 October at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Before diving into the intricacies of ICC World Cup 2023, let’s take a fresh look at all previous World Cup editions and the respective champions that shaped the gigantic craze for the game called cricket.

With its inception in 1975, West Indies dominated the World Cup arena with Clive Lylod’s team winning the cup not just in 1975 but also in 1979. But, then came the young Kapil Dev-led Indian team to dethrone the giants in 1983. In 1987, Allan Border’s Australia emerged triumphant, marking the beginning of a new era for Australian cricket.

After India, Pakistan became the second South Asian team to clinch the World Cup in 1992 and that was just the beginning as in the next edition in 1996, a small island nation Sri Lanka defeated the stalwarts to take the cup home. Then came an era when Australia ruled the cricket space completely with three back-to-back World Cup wins in 1999, 2003, and 2007. MS Dhoni-led India was the only team capable of breaking Australia’s hegemony and that’s what they did in 2011.

But, Michael Clarke-led Australia bounced back and clinched the trophy in 2015. The 2019 World Cup edition is amongst the most exciting ones as all games ended very close including the finals in which England triumphed in a super over, securing their first-ever World Cup win.

BANGKOK: Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia entered its third day on Saturday (July 26), with a new front opening further south in Thailand’s Trat province, newspaper Khaosod reported, citing military sources.

Both sides again accused each other of initiating fire, as tensions between the South-East Asian neighbours continued to escalate. The Thai Navy is now also involved in the conflict.

ALSO READ: Thai Navy joins conflict against Cambodia as death toll climbs to 30

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Long-standing tensions between the two countries flared on Thursday, when exchanges of fire broke out along the border. In response, the Thai military said it had deployed fighter jets against Cambodian positions.

Cambodia responded with artillery fire, including on residential areas. It remains unclear who fired first.

On Friday evening, Thailand imposed martial law in eight districts in the provinces of Trat and Chanthaburi, citing “ongoing threats to national security” posed by Cambodia.

The Foreign Ministry in Bangkok said martial law would allow the military to carry out all necessary operations to maintain peace and order.

In Cambodia, 13 people have been killed so far, including eight civilians, the Phnom Penh Post reported, citing Phnom Penh’s Defence Ministry. More than 70 people have been injured, 50 of them civilians, according to the newspaper.

In Thailand, government figures put the death toll at 14, including 13 civilians, with more than 60 people injured, some seriously.

The Thai government said around 130,000 people are currently fleeing the conflict zones.

Amid the escalating violence, thousands of Cambodian migrant workers in Thailand are reportedly preparing to return home.

According to Thai broadcaster PBS, large crowds – possibly tens of thousands – have applied to cross the border at Ban Laem in Chanthaburi.

Social media posts described the movement as a “mass exodus,” with many saying they no longer felt safe staying in Thailand.

According to the Cambodian government, more than 1.2 million Cambodians were living and working in Thailand in 2024. Images circulating online showed groups of people arriving at the border with their belongings.

Cambodia on Friday called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.

“Cambodia asked for an immediate ceasefire – unconditionally – and we also call for the peaceful solution of the dispute,” Cambodia’s ambassador to the UN, Chhea Keo, said following a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York.

Keo dismissed Bangkok’s accusations that Cambodia had attacked, pointing out that Cambodia’s army is only a third the size of Thailand’s. He also said that Cambodia lacks a fully equipped air force.

Thai ambassador to the UN, Cherdchai Chaivaivid, meanwhile, called on Cambodia to immediately cease hostilities in order to open a path to dialogue. He described the escalation as an “illegal and arbitrary act of aggression” but added that the two countries are close neighbours and the violence must end.

Thailand and Cambodia have disputed sections of their more than 800-kilometre border for decades. The conflict centres on the temple of Prasat Preah Vihear, a Unesco World Heritage site that both countries claim. – dpa

BANGKOK: Thailand said its navy joined the army in repelling Cambodian attacks on a new frontier in their disputed border, as the death toll from the escalating conflict climbed to at least 30.

The naval operation early on Saturday (July 26) followed the incursion of Cambodian troops at three different points in Trat province in Thailand’s east, the Thai Defensc Ministry said in a statement. The marine forces’ counter-operation was able to push back Cambodian soldiers encroaching on Thai territory, it said.

“Thailand stands firm in defending its sovereignty,” the ministry said. “Aggression will not be tolerated.”

ALSO READ: Thaksin denies family conflict sparked Thai-Cambodian war, insists on non-interference in military operations

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Cambodia in turn accused Thai forces of expanding its offensive deep into its territory against non-military targets including schools, pagodas and residential areas. Thai forces fired heavy artillery shells into several Cambodian areas outside the conflict zone, Khmer Times reported, citing its defence ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata.

The renewed clashes followed two days of intense fighting that saw the use of fighter jets, rocket launchers and heavy artillery across several border areas, forcing the evacuation of more than 100,000 people from the conflict zones by both the countries.

Thailand has put the death toll on its side at 19, including six soldiers since fighting erupted on Thursday, with more than 60 people injured. Cambodia has reported 13 deaths including five soldiers, and injuries to 70 others.

The deadliest clash between the two nations in more than a decade came as longstanding border tensions erupted into a full-fledged conflict. Two Thai soldiers were maimed in landmine explosives and a Cambodian soldier was killed in border skirmish in May – the start of the current standoff.

Thailand and Cambodia have claimed they are operating only in self-defence, with Bangkok insisting on a cessation of Cambodian hostilities before a ceasefire. On Saturday, Thailand’s army also reported clashes in Sa Keao, bringing the number of border provinces involved to six out of seven.

The two countries share a long history of border tensions, though relations have remained largely stable since a deadly 2011 conflict that left dozens dead. The last major flare-up centered on the Preah Vihear temple, a longstanding flashpoint dating back to the French colonial era.

Much of the current dispute stems from maps drawn on differing interpretations of early 20th-century Franco-Siamese treaties, which defined the border between Thailand and Cambodia, then part of French Indochina.

While the US, China and Malaysia have reached out to both parties to facilitate a ceasefire, Thailand has said it’s intent on resolving the hostilities bilaterally. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has said his country was ready for a ceasefire proposal that was brokered by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the current chair of regional group Asean. But Thailand backed out of the deal last minute, he said Friday.

A special meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Friday – attended by representatives of both Cambodia and Thailand – called for restraint and resolution of the conflict bilaterally through peaceful means. The council also urged an immediate de-escalation of tensions and a ceasefire, while supporting Asean’s role in mediation, Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said Saturday.

However, Thailand will not initiate the calling off of military action and Cambodia must end its hostilities first, Maris told reporters.

“Cambodia must show evidence of good faith to end this conflict,” Maris said, thanking Malaysia’s Anwar for his offer to facilitate talks. “They must end aggression and attacks on Thailand.”

The conflict comes at a perilous time for both countries as they face a raft of economic challenges, including the looming threat of steep US tariffs. While neighbouring Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam have secured trade agreements with the Trump administration, export-dependent Thailand has yet to strike a deal.

The border clashes also risk worsening a political crisis in Thailand. Its embattled leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra has already been suspended as prime minister over her alleged mishandling of the border dispute.

Her Pheu Thai-led coalition has been on shaky ground since the defection of a key party last month reduced it to a slim majority, and now faces the threat of more anti-government protests seeking her ouster. – Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) — Thailand said its navy joined the army in repelling Cambodian attacks on a new frontier in their disputed border, as the death toll from the escalating conflict climbed to at least 30.

The naval operation early on Saturday followed the incursion of Cambodian troops at three different points in Trat province in Thailand’s east, the Thai Defense Ministry said in a statement. The Thai marine forces’ counter-operation was able to push back Cambodian soldiers encroaching on Thai territory, it said.

“Thailand stands firm in defending its sovereignty,” the ministry said. “Aggression will not be tolerated.”

The clashes in Trat followed two days of intense fighting that saw the two neighbors use fighter jets, rocket launchers and heavy artillery in multiple other border areas, forcing the evacuation of more than 100,000 people from the conflict zones.

Thailand has put the death toll on its side at 19, including six soldiers since the fighting erupted on Thursday, with more than 60 people injured. Cambodia has reported 13 deaths.

The deadliest clash between the two nations in more than a decade came as longstanding tensions erupted into a full-fledged conflict. Two Thai soldiers were maimed in landmine explosives and a Cambodian soldier was killed in border skirmish in May — the start of the current standoff.

Thailand and Cambodia have claimed they are operating only in self-defense, with Bangkok insisting on a cessation of Cambodian hostilities before a ceasefire.

The two countries share a long history of border tensions, though relations have remained largely stable since a deadly 2011 conflict that left dozens dead. The last major flare-up centered on the Preah Vihear temple, a longstanding flashpoint dating back to the French colonial era.

Much of the current dispute stems from maps drawn on differing interpretations of early 20th-century Franco-Siamese treaties, which defined the border between Thailand and Cambodia, then part of French Indochina.

Read: What’s Behind Deadly Thailand-Cambodia Border Clash?: QuickTake

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