As the showpiece of world cricket kicks off in 29 days down-under, Sport360 takes a look at the magic behind the number '29'.

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The 29-ball Australian storm that blew away the Indians

The 2003 World Cup will always be remembered by Australia’s battling master-class and how they humbled India in the final, led by their skipper Ricky Ponting, who went onto play an unbeaten 140-run knock.

This was the second time in two world cups that Australians had crushed two Asian giants with Pakistan being on the receiving end in 1999 final.

Australians started off brilliantly courtesy of Adam Gilchirist’s 57-run blitz and he spanked Indians right from the word go making 42 off 29 deliveries, initially hitting seven boundaries and a six during that period.

But two quick wickets slowed down Australia and Ponting completed his 50 in 72 deliveries with just a single boundary. But he raced from 50 to 100 in just 29 balls clubbing five sixes and two boundaries and that flurry took the game away from Indians, as Australia posted 359 for two in their 50 overs.

UAE’s delight of 29

UAE's lone ODI World Cup victory against Netherlands in 1996 was carved by off-spinner Shaukat Dukanwala at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

It was the first one-dayer to be played between two associate nations.

Dukanwala produced a superb bowling spell as he gave away just 29 runs in his 10-over quota while picked up an important five-wicket haul to restrict Netherlands to 216 for nine.

In reply, UAE raced to the target making 220 for loss of three wickets with quickfire fifties from Saleem Raza and Mohammad Ishaq but it was Dukanwala, who played a key role and was right adjudged as man-of-the-match.