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ICC WORLD CUP 2007 OPENING CEREMONY MARCH 11TH
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As the 2007 World Cup drew near the competition appeared to be much more open than looked the case several months before. This is especially so as Australia appear to have gone off the boil while such as South Africa,India, New Zealand and surprisingly England have all struck a rich run of form.
One day matches can always be a bit of a lottery and most teams have some individuals who on their day can win a match against all odds. Hosts Windies and Sri Lanka are both sides who can beat the best if a couple of their stars both fire flat out on the same day.
Never before have the minnows of the competition, namely the Associates been so well prepared for the contest. All have had a host of matches and competitions leading up to the world cup so hopefully they will give a good account of themselves and maybe surprise a test country or two. In the last World cup Kenya exceeded all expectations in reaching the semi-finals.
The endless list of injuries to leading players has dominated the headlines leading up to the World Cup opening on March 11th. Australia are seriously depleted making the competition yet more open.
World Cups present huge opportunities to promote the game in the region of their location. With so much emphasis on getting facilities ready and negotiating exclusive sponsorships, ticketing deals and partners one wonders if any effort has been focuse on the grass roots, kids to adults, schools and clubs. If the competition passes with little local interest generated then cricket is likely to wither in the Caribbean as major sport. Unless, of course, American Mr Sanford's 20/20 efficaciously promoted reverses the trend.
Champions Australia beat India by 125 runs in the 2003 Final at Johannesburg South Africa Scorecard
T he warm up matches have suggested that Australia have put their run of defeats to England and New Zealand behind them while South Africa, the new one day ICC Champions,have had a torrid time, their batting failing against Pakistan and Ireland. Quite what the host nation's batsmen thought a 'warm up' match was for is difficult to tell but it hardly augurs well for their prospects starting March 13th with the opening Competition match.
With small grounds and relaid pitches expected to be slow the outcome is difficult to predict in the extreme. Much will depend on the individual teams ability to adapt and the leading batsmen to be patient.
Windies reverse the practise game fiasco with disiplined performance in opening match to beat fancied Pakistan.
Scots face might of Australia and suffer 201 run defeat but Irish tie with Zim & then shock Pakistan but the other minnows find it a tough task.
Flintoff episode soils image of World Cup at same time as cricket world mourns Bob Woolmer's death
 
Police confirm Bob Woolmer murdered by strangulation Everything About Bob Woolmer
Super 8s are Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, West Indies-2pts and England, Ireland, South Africa, Bangladesh-0pts
Lasith Malinga takes 4 wickets in 4 balls but Sri Lanka lose More
As more and more questions are being asked about this World Cup and the half empty grounds so commentators around the world begin to query ICC & WCB's strategy.Simon Wilde wonders if we have seen the end of Calypso Cricket Timesonline and Sam Kydd wonders why everything is banned at the 'Accountancy World Cup'. Thunderer
Youthful challenge of Bangladash who ousted India has fizzled out with heavy defeats by New Zealand and Australia while hosts Windies have gone from worse to worse.
At last an official admission that not all is well with the Caribbean World Cup that sadly lacks the Calypso Atmosphere, Stephen Alleyne determines to put things right in Barbados More
Bangladesh refind their form and shock ODI champions South Africa to throw open Super 8s possible semi finalists.
England plumb new depths as they race to defeat by South Africa squandering chance offered by Sri Lanka writes Mike Selvey Guardian Unlimited
Brian Lara is run out 18 in last match.Before a full house he leads Windies to an improbable 1 wicket defeat
Australia and Sri Lankan win semi-finals comfortably to set up repeat of 1997 final. South Africa were thrashed writes Oliver Brett BBC Sri Lanka shatter Flemings dream writes Paul Grunill BBC
World cup needs a thrilling final writes Jonathan Agnew BBC Cricket correspondent
Australia thanks to a superb Gilchrist innings of 149 wins third successive World Cup by 54 runs on a wet and dark day in circumstances of considerable farce Scorecard
This was the worst sporting event in history writes Simon Barnes imesonline
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Shambolic,Dull,Too Long
- What the Press Thought
Yahoo/Reuters
Times
Financial Times
Independent
Guardian
Observer
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- World Cup News & Stories-1
** Michael Vaughan says 'Fredalo' incident wrecked team morale More
** ICC to blame as 'carnival' turns into catalogue of blunders writes Angus Fraser Independent Online
** Speed admits World Cup is too long More
** Supporters left all at sea as Destiny fails to set sail David Hopps reports Guardian Unlmited
** 'Prof' Edwards restores fire in belly of Kensington Oval which England's seamers liked a lot CM-J writes Timesonline
** If anyone is watching, there is lots still to enjoy writes CMJ who suggests UN votes are behind China's assistance with bulding new and revamped stadia Timesonline
** Malinga brings fireworks for Guyana opening Martin Gough reports BBC
** Pakistan’s World Cup failures weighed down by extra baggage on their return writes Owen slot Timesonline
** Shields says Pakistan team eliminated from enquiries More Imran 'I'm frightfully important' Khan questions Inzaman's brain capacity and criticises Pakistan's President's involvement with PCB. More
** Sri Lankans humble hapless Indians Sri Lanka 254-6,50 overs(Tharanga 64,Silva 59) beat India 185,43.3 overs(Dravid 60) by 69 runs Scorecard Geoffrey Dean Reports Timesonline Irish minus shoulder injured skipper Johnston battd first with little conviction but nevertheless reach 183-8,48 overs v West Indies 190-2,38.1overs(Chanderpaul 101*)target 190 off 48D/L, Chanderpaul's 1st world cup century Scorecard Pat Gibson Reports Timesonline India require Bermuda to beat Bangladesh if they are not to crash out of the competition
** Crime & Corruption cast dark shadow over 2007 World Cup writes CM-J Timesonline & Game now forced to be on guard as never before Timesonline
** McCullum hits fastest ever World cup 50 in 23 balls.Davison of Canada nearly emulated him with 25 ball 50 as Kiwis maintain 100% record More Scorecard Scots slump to heavy defeat by Dutch Scorecard
** Former Irish Cricket President Kerr dies in JamaicaMore
** Hit-men Gibbs and Sobers relish sixes feat for charity More
** New Zealand easily beat Kenya Scorecard South Africa race to victory over Scotland Scorecard India's batsmen make hay at Bermuda's expense but Uthappa misses out, Hemp hits 76* off Indian's attack Scorecard Windies take their time defeating Zim Scorecard
** Endless talent, endless problems – but Pakistan coach had no regrets writes Ivo Tennant Timesonline Family say stress may have caused Woolmer’s death as Jamaican Police continue investigation into Bob Woolmer's death Timesonline
** Sorry Flintoff Desperate to make amends Richard Hobson Timesonline England's evening session was an all-round disgrace writes CM-JTimesonline
** Ruthless smith punishes Scots Timesonline
** Pot hole trip threatens Michael Vaughan's knee More
** Scots win toss and insert Austalians who post large total with Ponting hitting century then Scots batting crumbles except for Smith,Blain injured:Match 2 at Basseterre Australia 334-6,50 overs(Ponting 113,Hayden 60) v Scotland 130,40.1 overs(Smith 51,McGrath 3-14) Scorecard Report Kenya win toss and insert Canadians who squander promising start and Kenya romp home Match 3 at Gros Islet Canada 199,50 overs v Kenya 203-3,43.2 overs(Tikolo 72*) Scorecard
** ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 shines spotlight on children and young people affected by HIV and AIDS More
** It's Carnival time in Jamaica as miraculously Windies bowl and field with discipline to win by 54 runs: Match 1 at Kingston Jamaica West Indies 241-9,50 overs(Samuels 63,Sarwan 49,I.Anjum 3-44) v Pakistan 187,47.2 overs(S Malik 62,DR Smith 2-36,Bravo 3-42) Scorecard
** Rob Smyrh guides through the betting oprions in this World Cup Guardian Unlimited
** Sun will never truly go down on West Indies’ everlasting gift, reflects Simon Barnes Timesonline
** Michael Vaughan walks across the ground atthe opening cereomony without so much as aniggle writes Giles Smith Timesonline
** Andy Roberts expects sporting pitches. Relaid surfaces could assist seamers as well More
** World Cup Opening Ceremony "Let the Games Begin" Cricinfo West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers officially opened the tournament in Jamaica, which is being staged in the Caribbean for the first time. BBC So the fireworks began More
** Flintoff’s destructive capabilities better used near top of the order argues Richard Hobson Timesonline
** Postage-stamp pitches fall short of complying with the rulebook Matthew Prior Reports Timesonline
** Lara fury after Windies collapse More From BBC
** No English please, we are Pakistanis More
** Heavy defeat takes shine off Vaughan's return to form Richard Hobson writes Timesonline
** World Cup Trophy damaged while on tour in India More
** England win toss and bat first in warm up match with Australia,Vaughan and Bell put on 116 then innings folds and the bowlers can not restrict Australia who return to winning ways, England 197,48.3 overs(Vaughan 62,Bell 56,Tait 4-33) v Australia 200-5,40.5 overs(Gilchrist 72,Watson 55) Scorecard Vaughan out to maintain pressure on Australia takes the lead personally but only Bell follows! Richard Hobson writes Timesonline Windies collapse 85 all out v India 86-1 Scorecard, Kiwis hit 285 off Sri Lanka who fall 18 short despite Tharanga ton Scorecard and SA post modest 199 against Pakistan 200-3 who win by 7 wkts Scorecard
** Jeremy Snape joins England squad as Spin Bowling Guru writes Richard Hobson in St Vincent Timesonline
** South Africa & Pakistan teams in hotel fire/Gas Leak scare More
** New Zealand given rude awakening by Bangladesh Report Timesonline Australia 290-7,50 overs beat Zimbabwe 184-7,50 overs by 106 runs Scorecard, New Zealand 226,47.2 overs lost to Bangladesh 230-8, 49 overs by 2 wkts, Scorecard Pakistan 273-8,48/48 overs beat Canada 196,46.4/48 overs by 77 runs Scorecard , India 300-6,50 overs beat Netherlands 118,37.5 overs by 182 runs Scorecard
** Ponting looks to lay the ghost of Warne, Frank Praverman writes Timesonline
** Dalrymple’s all-round turn crucial to England’s prospects writes Richard Hobson Timesonline
** ICCCricket World Cup 2007 to Shine Spotlight on Children and Young People Affected by HIV More
** Earthquake hits Antigua and Trinidad Tuesday March 6th,"Not my fault" says Dwayne Leverock More
** Twenty stone spinner Dwayne Leverock upsets England with 10-0-32-2. More Timesonline
** England captain Michael Vaughan was pleased with his side’s workout despite the ease of the 241-run victory over Bermuda at Arnos Vale.More
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- World Cup News & Stories-2
** England's bowlers rout Bermuda and Sri Lanka overwhelm Scotland but Ireland and Kenya run Test opponents close in warm up matche. England 286-8,50 overs beat Bermuda 45,22.2 overs by 241 runs Scorecard South Africa 192,50 overs beat Ireland 157,44.2 overs by 35 runs thanks to Hall Scorecard Sri Lanka 294-7,50 overs beat Scotland 135,41.2 overs by 159 runs Scorecard West Indies 268-6,50 overs beat Kenya 247-7,50 overs by 21 runs,Samuels hit a ton Scorecard
** ICCconfirms umpire and match referee appointments for opening stages of ICC Cricket World Cup More
** Injuries continue to dominate pre World Cup News. Pakistan will not have Shoaib or Asif. Sami and Arafat called up More
** Michael Vaughan names Flintoff as his deputy and is confident of England's chances in the World Cup as squad departs for CaribbeanMore
** I wasn’t even thinking of World Cup opportunity, says Panesar. Pat Gibson Interviews Monty Timesonline
** Tired Australia are there for the taking - but not by England writes Mike Selvey Guardian Unlimited
** Australia deny they are in crisis after Kiwi whitewash.Peter English reports from Brisbane Guardian Unlimited
** Broadcast profiles of six Associate teams taking part in the ICC Cricket World Cup available on SNTV from Tuesday 27 February More
** Canada comfortably beats Bermuda as Samad hits 83:TriSeries at St Jon's antigua Bermuda 206-8,50 overs(Bhatti 4-45) v Canada 207-7,44 overs(Samad 83) Scorecard
** Bangladesh beat Bermuda by 7 wicket, Shahriar Nafees scores century Tri-series match 1 at St Johns Antigua Scorecard
** Barry Richards thinks Australia will struggle to bounce back to top spot More Sehwag disagrees More
** Razzaq out of World Cup with knee injury More
** Brett Lee out of World Cup, another serious blow for Champions Australia, Stuart Clark replaces him More Ponting declares back fine and pain free More
** Holding slams World Cup minnows,five too may in this World Cup More
** Hayden breaks toe and is added to Australia's injured listMore
** Youthful Collis King wants West Indies flair writes Philip Spooner Cricinfo More
** Bermuda leads the list of three teams, slated to compete in a Tri Series in Antigua & Barbuda from February 25-28, who will land in the twin-island Host Venue. The Bermudians – newcomers to the ICC Cricket World Cup – are scheduled to arrive on Monday night while Bangladesh will follow suit on Tuesday afternoon and Canada on Friday morning. More
** Impact players who can step forward to rock the Caribbean writes Patrick Kidd Timesonline
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South Africa on top
Prior to 2007 World Cup
- ODI Official ICC Rankings
Team * Matches Points Rating
1 South Africa 36 4595 128
2 Australia 46 5753 125
3 New Zealand 37 4172 113
4 Pakistan 34 3780 111
5 India 48 5243 109
6 Sri Lanka 44 4733 108
7 England 36 3806 106
8 West Indies 39 3956 101
9 Bangladesh 35 1454 42
10 Zimbabwe 34 755 22
11 Kenya 9 0 0
Last updated: 20 Feb 2007
* The weighting of 'matches' is reduced over time so does not reflect the full number of matches played in the rating period ICC Associates ODI Rankings table:
ODIs versus Full members Other qualifying matches
Rank Played P W T L % P W T L %
1st Scotland 19 3 0 0 3 0% 16 11 0 5 69%
2nd Netherlands 14 2 0 0 2 0% 12 6 0 6 50%
3rd Ireland 10 1 0 0 1 0% 9 4 0 5 44%
4th Canada 22 1 0 0 1 0% 21 7 0 1 433%
5th Bermuda 20 2 0 0 2 0% 18 5 0 1 328%
Every August, this table will be updated to exclude ODIs played more than three years previously. The only matches other than ODIs that are counted as qualifying matches and included in the Associate rankings are the 2005 ICC Trophy matches played between the five teams during the course of the tournament.
The seedings for the 2009 ICC World Cup Qualifier (formerly the ICC Trophy) will take into account all ODIs played by the top six competing nations, including Kenya versus other Associates.
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- Team Squads
Several countries arive with missing players some still recovering from injury. Australia in particular will be depleted in the early stages with gilchrist and Lee absent as well as Symonds whose selection is highlt ambitious inview of the severity of his biceps rupture.
Jacob Oram is another unfit for the competition start and a vital element in New Zealand's line up while England have chosen Michael Vaughan as skipper who has still to prove his fitness after a year or so.
Squads
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- Schedule & Results
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FinalApril 28, Final Australia beat Sri Lanka by 54 runs D/L Method Scorecard
Kensington Oval, Barbados
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- Grounds
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Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua
Capacity: 20,000 of which 10,000 will be permanent
Location: the stadium is to be conveniently built between the city and the airport.
Status: New stadium under construction in partnership with Peoples Republic Of China.
Matches: Super-8. |
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Kensington Oval, Barbados
History: hosted its first Test in 1929-30 and first ODI in 1984-85
Capacity: 32,000
Status: Major upgrade to be undertaken to add additional seats, player, media and sponsor facilities.
Matches: Super-8 & Finals. |
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Queens Park, Grenada
Built: 1998
Capacity: present capacity of 13,000 to increase to 20,000 through temporary stands
Status: minor upgrade required
Matches: Super-8. |
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Providence Stadium, Guyana
Capacity: 20,000
Status: to be built on a completely new site |
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Sabina Park, Jamaica
Capacity: 30,000
History: hosted its first Test in 1929-30 and first ODI in 1983-84
Status: major upgrade to be undertaken
Matches: Opening Match; Opening Round; Semi Final. |
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Warner Park Stadium, St Kitts and Nevis
Capacity: increase from 4000 to 10,000 with the addition of temporary stands
Status: the stadium is to be completely renovated and rebuilt with new facilities for media, spectators and players |
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Beausejour Stadium, St Lucia
Built: 2001-02
Capacity: increase existing capacity of 12,000 to 20,000 with the addition of temporary stands
Status: relatively new stadium – minor upgrade required |
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Arnos Vale, St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Capacity: 12,000 Seats
Status: Major renovation under construction.
Matches: Warm up. |
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Queens Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago
The oldest ground in the Caribbean
Capacity: 25,000
Status: minor upgrade required
Matches: Opening round. |
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- Previous World Cups
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The Cricket World Cup began in 1975 in England between six Test countries,Sri Lanka and East Africa. The format was over 60 overs and remained so until the 1987 competition in the Sub Continent. Since then the competition has grown considerably in terns of contestants and schedule.
In addition to the Test countries and Kenya the other contestants have qualified via the ICC Trophy the final eliminating contest of what is now a comprehensive competition involving all members of ICC.
Of the original World Cup contestants England & New Zealand have yet to win the World Cup.
No country has won the Cricket World Cup three times in succession.
2003 South Africa Australia beat India by 125 runs Final
1999 England Australia beat Pakistan by 8 wickets Final
1996 India/Pakistan/Sri Lanka Sri Lanka beat Australia by 7 wickets Final
1992 Australia/New Zealand Pakistan beat England by 22 runs Final
1987 India/Pakistan Australia beat England by 22 runs Final
1983 England India beat West Indies by 43 runs Final
1979 England West Indies beat England by 92 runs Final
1975 England West Indies beat Australia by 17 runs Final |
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