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Fans await biggest one-day extravaganza
BRISBANE. Eeb 14: The World Cup is cricket's lr,tcrruitional sho ,he players and organisers. it also poses a ftve-weck logistical puzzle
Nine nations, including South Africa, will contest the limited-overs tournament from Feb 22 through March 25. reports AP.
Matches will be played across five times zones and at venues up to 3.400 mile's (5.440 kilometers) apart — almost as far New York to London.
The opening-day match be tween Australia and New Zealand at Auckland will prob ably be finished before the. England-India day-night match even begins In Perth, which is five hours behind Auckland.
Each team will play eight matches In the round-robin first round before the-top four teams qualify for the semifinals.
The final, the 39th match of the Cup. will be played on Wednesday. March 25. in front of an anticipated sellout crowd
of 108.000 at the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground, where a new 40.000-seat grandstand is being completed.
"With more than 100.000 cheering fans, the atmosphere will be fantastic.* said Australian captain Allan Border.
The Melbourne Cricket Ground was the venue for the first-ever Test match between Australia and England back in 1877
Srl Lanka lias the toughest draw with matches on both of New Zealand's main Islands and tn four Australian slates — Quecnslahd. South Australia. Victoria and Western Australia.
The Srl Lankans play their first two games in New Zealand, the third in Australia, the fourth back In New Zealand and the last four in Australia.
'Just thinking about it makes us a bit tired." said Srl Lankan captain Aravlnda de Silva. "I think we are doing about 25.000 kilometers (15.500 miles), which is a fair biL"
New Zealand has tlic easiest programme. It will play all eight of its first-round matches on home soil, including its opener with co-host Australia.
Two computer experts spend a month drawing up the ideal playing schedule.
The programme then had to be completely redrawn three months ago after South Africa was readmitted to International cricket after an absence of 22 years.
A total of 135 officials have worked on the four-year preparations for the Cup
The number of man-hours Is incredible, said Australian Cricket Board chairman David Richards
The organizers believe the 39 match programme will pay
financial dividends — particularly If Australia makes the fi nal. The Australian Cricket Board and New Zealand Cricket have estimated profits could be as high as dlrs 15 million, based on ticket sales, broadcasts rights and memorabilia sales.
The organisational budget is dlrs 5 million — plus a major Input from sponsors Benson and Hedges — said ACB chairman David Richards.
The prize money for the players is not high, but profits will be ploughed back Into the international development of the sport.
Total prize money is dlrs 217.500. The winners of the final will share dlrs 37.500. with the losers collecting half
The Australian Crlrkel Board estimates cumulative attendances will approach the 700.000 mark for the tournament.
Hie final will be televised 1n 29 countries. Including such unlikely nations as the United States. Canada. Argentina. Italy, Japan, and the Ncllicrlarids.
Up to 20.000 overseas tourists are expected to fly Down Under to match the spectacle. More than 500 journalists have been accredited.
This is one of the most significant sporting events ever held In this country." Richards said Through the World Cup's media coverage. Australia and New Zealand will liave the chance to put them-setves on the world stage "
The Australians defeated England by seven rune In Calcutta to win the Cup In 1987 and are favorites to re tain the trophy
Australia Is aiming to be r l he first team to win the trophy on home soil It never
lias previously been held tn the Southern Hemisphere. Past winners Include the West Indies (1975 and 1979) and India (1983)
A total of 25 matches' will be played in Australia and 14 in New Zealand. The start of the competition cotpcldes with the conclusion of the Winter Olympics In order to meet International television demands.
Organizers say a highlights package of the final could be seen by up to 1.65 billion television viewers — more than any other sporting event held In Australia.
At home, there will be 140 hours of television coverage of tlic tournament.