1999-2000 (Sri Lanka)

Winners: India

To the disappointment of a large crowd at SSC, Sri Lanka fell in the final hurdle dominated by India. The winners remained unbeaten throughout, and destroyed Australia by 170 runs in the semi-final to underline their supremacy. In the other semis, Sri Lanka beat Pakistan.

The fact that three of the four semi-finalists were from Asia and so more attuned to the conditions was coincidental — they played the better cricket and, in Pakistan’s case, had a very experienced squad.

England was most disappointing, and they won only one match against a Test-playing nation, and that a last-ball win over Zimbabwe.

South Africa was desperately unlucky to be eliminated after three no-results gave them three points while Nepal — with four points courtesy of one win over Kenya — went through to the Super League instead.

The format was as in 1997-98, with four groups of four and then a Super League and final. Seven others, Bangladesh, Kenya, Ireland, Namibia, Holland, Nepal and a team from the Americas, joined nine Test-playing nations.

2001-02 (New Zealand)

Winners: Australia

The third Under-19 World Cup only confirmed Australia’s dominance of the game, and from their opening match, when they obliterated Kenya by 430 runs, through to their comprehensive victory over South Africa in the final, they were never threatened.

In contrast, India, the holders, under performed in their semi-final against South Africa. They also suffered embarrassing defeats to neighbours Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Pakistan, however, provided the main upset when they lost to Nepal by 30 runs, and Nepal also gave England a few uneasy moments. England again was poor, failing to maintain any consistency, which was surprising for a side on £5000 a head. Zimbabwe easily won the plate competition, with their expected opponents, Bangladesh, who was beaten in the semi-final by Nepal.

With inputs from www.cricinfo.com