The 50-over game entered the World Cup in a state of serious decay, but six weeks later and the format has redeemed itself in what has arguably been the best tournament since 1992. Here's a pick - in order - of ten moments which stood out:

10. England and India fumble
The game which kick-started the tournament was India's draw against England. In a match which both teams should have won, Sachin Tendulkar hit a sublime hundred before being bettered by Andrew Strauss's knock of 158. Their captain led them to the brink but England faltered to leave matters tied and both Strauss and MS Dhoni scratching their heads as to where it all went wrong.

9. Pakistan avoid disaster
Against opposition who should never have had a sniff, Pakistan found themselves in trouble with past demons ready to haunt them once more - bowled out for 184 by Canada who reached 100-odd for three with plenty of overs to spare.

However, with a captain leading from the front - Shahid Afridi claiming five for 24 - plus a new found composure and team unity saw Pakistan fight back to beat Canada by 46-runs that put them on their way to a proud last four finish.

8. India's wheels fall off
Cruising at 267 for one in the 40th over against South Africa, India completely capitulated to lose their last nine wickets for just 29 runs. Dale Steyn was the chief instigator, with figures of five wickets for just four runs over the space of his last 16 deliveries.

It was a remarkable turnaround in fortunes, and an incredible reminder of how just unpredictable the 50-over game can be.

7. Sri Lanka's domination of England
England were a team expired when they reached their quarter-final against a strong Sri Lankan outfit, but they thought they had a chance when Jonathan Trott led them to 229 for six. That target however was blown out the water by Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan in an unbeaten stand of 231 in which they smashed twice as many boundaries as Strauss's men for an astonishingly one-sided finish.

6. Bangladesh's ninth-wicket fight
The Tigers were down and out at 169 for eight in pursuit of England's 225 all out when Shafiul Islam came to the crease. A highest score of just 16 in 27 previous ODIs didn't promise much, but Islam clubbed a career-best of 24 runs, shared in an unbeaten 58-run stand with Mahmudullah and sent Bangaldesh to a famous two-wicket win.

5. Self-fulfilling prophesy
On the World Cup stage the Proteas have, since 1992, played the role of the tragic hero and this year they put in a sublime performance with first an oops moment chasing against England, and then an even more convincing surrender against New Zealand in the quarter-finals which left South African fans re-suffering past nightmares.

4. Ross Taylor's birthday bash
Happy birthday Ross Taylor. On turning 27 Taylor was gifted two chances on 0 and 4 by Kamran Akmal. What followed was an astounding display of hitting in which Taylor was fed a buffet of treats by Pakistan's attack. A mind-boggling 92 runs were scored in the Kiwis last four overs - nine sixes and six fours - with Taylor smashing his last 55 runs from a startling 13 deliveries.

3. Ireland and Kevin O'Brien
England played a fantastic part in making the tournament the success it was, and they were on the receiving end in a game which - personally speaking - is the greatest game of 50-over cricket in living memory.

Ireland were nowhere at 111 for five before Kevin O'Brien played the innings of 4.5 million Irish lifetimes, hitting the fastest ever World Cup hundred in an unforgettable 3-wicket win over their biggest cricketing rivals.

2. The blockbuster in Mohali
The importance of cricket to the people of the sub-continent really hit home in the political fuss surrounding the semi-final between India and Pakistan. Two bitter neighbours were brought together with the semi-final clash stimulating all kinds of positive dialogue between the two countries. The last-four clash was played in the right spirit and it will be a marvellous day when cricket returns to Pakistan.

1. A fitting final
Australia deserve credit for their 12-year domination of the World Cup, but with a lack of competition the Aussies won in three disappointingly one-sided finals - 1999 by eight wickets, 2003 by a cool 125 runs, and 2007 by a rain-affected 53 runs.

India and Sri Lanka were undoubtedly the two best teams at this year's tournament and in contrast to previous editions they served up a fitting final in Mumbai. Two greats played their final World Cup appearance, there was a classy hundred from Mahela Jayawardene and then India completed the highest successful run-chase in a World Cup final with captain MS Dhoni appropriately toasting the win with six over long on.

Doug Saxby