SYDNEY. Oct 9: A special 39-match programme is being prepared to accommodate South Africa if they

get a late invitation this week to compete in next year's cricket World Cup. organisers said here Wednesday, reports AIT’.

Speaking at the launch of the Australian 1991-92 cricket season, World Cup committee Joint chairman Malcolm Gray said a new itinerary would be available "within a matter of day's", of a decision by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to include South Africa.

Reports from London say ICC chairman Colin Cowdrey is expected to announce his verdict on Friday after giving the eight competing nations a last chance to comment.

The organising committee has already -framed a 31-match draw incorporating limited-day matches for Pakistan. India. England. New Zealand, West Indies, Sri Lanka. Zimbabwe and defending champions Australia for the February 22-March 25 World Cup

"The committee has undertaken a feasibility study should such an eventuality occur, ” said Gray. "Wc can increase the number of matches to 39 should South Africa be invited and that decision could be made within a matter of days after the decision.

The ICC decision is imminent following its consideration of reports by each of the cricket-playing nations on whether to admit South Africa to the World Cup as the Republic dismantles the apartheid structures.

Reports overnight from New Delhi quoted Board of Control for Cricket In India President Madhavrao Scindia as advising ICC chairman Cowdrey by letter against hurrying into a decision to include South Africa in the World Cup.

While West Indies' Cricket Board secretary Steve Camacho has been reported as saying his nation's objections to South Africa's re-admittance to the ICC and to its participation In the World Cup were procedural rather than political.

"This issue had nothing to do with politics and everything to do with cricket," Camacho was quoted as telling a South African newspaper.

"South Africa is a de facto mcmbvi of the ICC and we are very pleased that they are back in the fanjily of cricketing nations.

Organisers Wednesday announced that next year's fifth World Cup would be worth 50,000 dollars (39,560 US dollars) to the winning team with 25.000 dollars (19,8 00 US dollars) to the runners-up in the March 25 final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

As part of the forthcoming season, Australia will play a five-Test scries against India and in a World Scries Cup triangular one-day series from December 6-January 22 with India and the West Indies leading up to the World Cup.

David Richards, the Australian Cricket Board's (ACB) chief executive, said at the launch that the three-ycar ICC rule experimentation of one short pitched ball per batsman per over hud become effective on October 1 this year. He said a minimum 90

overs In a Test day would be enforced through fines.

Playing conditions stipulate that for each over short ol the dally target, five per cent of the match fees of each player from the offending team will be deducted.

Richards said the new ICC code of conduct will be admin islcrcd by appointed independent match referees, former England captains, Mike Smith and I’etcr May, who will share duties in the Austiujla-India Tests.

India arrive in Perth on November 1 1 with their first tour match, a one-dayer. scheduled four days later against an ACB chairman's XI al Lilac Hill. •