Excitement is building as Australia and New Zealand prepare to host the 11th edition of the Cricket World Cup.
The quadrennial tournament has produced countless memories and forged many legends since its inception in 1975.
Here, we take a look at a brief history of each of the past 10 instalments of one of cricket's greatest prizes.
1975
England were chosen to host the inaugural tournament and romped their way to the semi-finals. However, home hopes were dashed by Australian off-spinner Gary Gilmour who returned 6-14 as England were skittled for 93. Pre-tournament favourites the West Indies proved too strong in the final, though, as an exhibition of power batting from Clive Lloyd saw him make 102 off 85, while an incredible five run-outs in Australia's innings - three from Viv Richards - ensured a 17-run win.
1979
Four years on and innovations such as coloured clothing and white balls were introduced as the West Indies successfully defended their title in England. Viv Richards is largely remembered as the star of the tournament and he blasted 217 runs in four matches including a brilliant century in the final against England. However, he was arguably upstaged in the showpiece by team-mate Collis King, whose 86 from 66 helped post an imposing 286-6. In reply England put on an opening stand of 129 but at far too slow a rate as 183-2 soon became 194 all out.
1983
A World Cup of surprises saw minnows Zimbabwe stun Australia with a 13-run victory at Trent Bridge in their first ever ODI match. Unfancied India had also surprised West Indies in their opening encounter, but the defending champions bounced back to beat Australia on the back of Winston Davis tearing through Australia to return 7-51. The final pitted India, who had until then a poor ODI record, against the mighty West Indies. India were skittled for 183 and when Richards led Windies to 50-1, it appeared a foregone conclusion. However, Madan Lal and Mohinder Amarnath combined to take three wickets each to restrict West Indies to 140 and complete a famous victory.
1987
The 1987 instalment saw the World Cup move out of England for the first time as India and Pakistan took hosting duties. The tournament on the subcontinent started Austrlia's love-affair with the World Cup. India beat the Aussies to top Group A, but the co-hosts unravelled in the semi-finals as Graham Gooch and Mike Gatting combined for 119 to put England in the final. In the showpiece, Australia - who had beaten Pakistan in the other semi - started well as star openers Geoff Marsh and David Boon put on an opening stand of 75, although a total of 253 seemed achievable. But Gatting was dismissed first ball when attempting to reverse sweep Allan Border and England failed to keep pace with the required rate to fall seven runs short.
1992
Holders Australia and New Zealand combined to host a tournament that welcomed newcomers South Africa following the end of apartheid. The Proteas were in a must-win situation against Pakistan to reach the semi-finals in a match that became famous for Jonty Rhodes' 'superman' run out of Inzumam-ul-Haq when he sprinted from point before launching himself at the stumps to dismiss the batsman who was involved in a mix-up with Imran Khan. South Africa went through, but controversy marred their semi-final loss to England. Needing 23 off 17 before rain stopped play, the revised total was 23 off 1 under the old 'rain rule', leading to the introduction of the Duckworth-Lewis method. England suffered more heartbreak in the final, though, as Imran (72) and Javed Miandad (58) led Pakistan to a 58-run win at the MCG.
1996
Back to the subcontinent as Sri Lanka joined India and champions Pakistan. Sri Lanka's place in the semi-final was almost a foregone conclusion as Australia and West Indies handed them walkovers after refusing to play in the nation due a bomb going off in Colombo before the tournament started. A disjointed West Indies were also subject to a humiliating 73-run defeat by minnows Kenya in the group stages. Sri Lanka made their way into the final after beating India by default after a fire was started when India slipped to 120-8 in their chase of 251. That paved the way for Sri Lanka to claim their first major tournament. Sanath Jayasuriya was the star, but Aravinda de Silva stoe the show in the 7-wicket final victory over Australia. He finished with two catches, three wickets and a knock of 107 in a superb all-round performance.
1999
The 1999 edition saw matches played in the UK, the Republic of Ireland and Netherlands and started a run of three consecutive Australia victories. The tournament was famous for arguably the greatest ODI in history in Australia and South Africa's semi-final. In a match full of drama, Australia spinner Shane Warne returned 4-29 in a mesmerising spell. The game ended in heartbreak for South Africa when Allan Donald was run out, the match ending in a thrilling tie but Australia progressing with a superior run-rate at the end of the Super Six stage. Warne once again dazzled in the final at Lord's, as his 4-33 helped restrict an entertaining Pakistan to 132 all out, as Australia completed an eight-wicket rout with 179 balls remaining.
2003
South Africa, Kenya and Zimbabwe played host to a World Cup that run almost six weeks. Political unrest in Zimbabwe led to Henry Olonga and Andy Flower wearing black armbands in Zimbabwe's fixture in a stance against the how that country was being run, before later retiring. England also refused to play their fixture in Zimbabwe, ultimately to their cost as they were eliminated at the Super Six by two points. Australia had to deal with the blow of losing Warne the day before their opening game after failing a drugs test. The reigning champions recovered, though, and turned in a devastating performance in the 125-run win over India in the final. Ricky Ponting led the way with a glorious 140 not out of 121, flanked by the support of Adam Gilchrist (57) and Damien Martyn.
2007
The 2007 World Cup was hit by the tragic death of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer just a day after defeat to Ireland left them out of the running for the tournament. Hosts the West Indies also waved a fond farewell to legend Brian Lara in a dead-rubber Super Eight defeat to England. The tournament was dominated by an Australia side boasting the talents of Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath and Shane Watson. The Aussies won all 11 of their matches at the tournament, including a comfortable 53-run victory via duckworth-lewis over Sri Lanka in a one-sided final that saw Gilchrist take centre stage with an opening 149 off 129 to seal their third straight tournament victory.
2011
The most recent World Cup in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh saw Ireland's Kevin O'Brien become an unlikely entrant into the record books. England expected a walkover against the minnows and, after posting 327, restricted Ireland to 111-5 halfway through the chase. However, O'Brien unleashed a masterclass to reach a hundred in just 50 balls – the quickest in century in World Cup history. Elsewhere, India dug deep to knock Australia out in the quarter-finals with Yuvraj Singh's unbeaten 57 leading the way. Subsequently, India made the final against Sri Lanka. A fine century from legend Mahela Jayawardena led Sri Lanka to a competitive total of 274 after they made just 31 from the first 10 overs. India lost Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar early, but Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli put on 83 for the third wicket. When Kohli fell, India skipper MS Dhoni came to the crease and smashed 91, including a huge six on the final delivery to end india's 28-year wait for the World Cup.