World Cup opening ceremony

Someone has been kind enough to upload the opening ceremony to YouTube. So if you didn't get to see it on your local network, you can check it out here!

England down Bermuda in World Cup warm-up

England has thrashed Bermuda by 241 runs in the first of their World Cup warm up matches. England posted a respectable 8/286 after 120kg Bermuda spinner Dwayne Leverock took 2/32 including the scalp of Kevin Pietersen.

"I have been the leading wicket-taker for Bermuda for the last four years. The wicket gave me some turn and bounce so I used it to my advantage." said Leverock.

The 35-year-old left-armer, who was a 110 metre hurdler as a teenager, said he had slimmed down to about 19 stone, or 120kg for the World Cup.

Leverock's good work wasn't supported by the Bermuda batsmen, who were bowled out for just 45 after 22.2 overs, no doubt fueling debate over whether minor nations should be included in the World Cup.

World Cup Squads

Here are the squads / teams for the 2007 Cricket World Cup...

Australia:
Ricky Ponting (Captain), Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath, Andrew Symonds, Matt Hayden, Michael Clark, Brad Hogg, Michael Hussey, Shane Watson, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Brad Hodge, Shaun Tait

Bangladesh
Habibul Bashar (Captain), Shahriar Nafees, Abdur Razzak, Aftab Ahmed, Javed Omar, Mashrafe Mortaza, Mohammad Ashraful, Mohammad Rafique, Mushfiqur Rahim (wicketkeeper), Rajin Saleh, Saqibul Hasan, Shahadat Hossain, Syed Rasel, Tamim Iqbal, Tapash Baisya

Bermuda
Irvine Romaine (Captain), Janeiro Tucker, Saleem Mukuddem, Dwayne Leverock, Dean Minors, David Hemp, Kevin Hurdle, Lionel Cann, Kwame Tucker, Clay Smith, Malachi Jones, Steven Outerbridge, Delyone Borden, Stefan Kelly, Oliver Pitcher

Canada
John Davison (Captain), Anderson Cummins, Ashish Bagai, Desmond Chumney, Sunil Dhaniram, Henry Osinde, Abdool Samad, George Codrington, Umar Bhatti, Kevin Sandher, Ashif Mulla, Qaiser Ali, Ian Billcliff, Austin Codrington, Geoff Barnett

England
Michael Vaughan (Captain), Andrew Flintoff, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Strauss, James Anderson, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Jamie Dalrymple, Liam Plunkett, Sajid Mahmood, Edmund Joyce, Jonathan Lewis, Paul Nixon, Monty Panesar, Ravinder Bopara

Kenya
Stephen Tikolo (Captain), Thomas Odoyo, Ravindu Shah, Tony Suji, Collins Obuya, Peter Ochieng, David Obuya, Jimmy Kamande, Tanmay Mishra, Maurice Ouma, Nehemiah Odhiambo, Hiren Varaiya, Lameck Onyango, Malhar Patel, Rajesh Bhudia

India
Rahul Dravid (Captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Sourav Ganguly, Robin Uthappa, Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Kaarthick, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble, Zaheer Khan, Ajit Agarkar, Munaf Patel, Irfan Pathan and S Sreesanth

Ireland
Trent Johnston (Captain), Kyle McCallan, Andre Botha, Andrew White, Niall O'Brien, Dave Langford-Smith, Kevin O'Brien, William Porterfield, Jeremy Bray, Eoin Morgan, John Mooney, Peter Gillespie, Paul Mooney, Kenneth Carroll, Boyd Rankin

New Zealand
Stephen Fleming (Captain), Daniel Vettori, Craig McMillan, Scott Styris, Brendon McCullum, Lou Vincent, Jacob Oram, Daryl Tuffey, Shane Bond, James Franklin, Peter Fulton, Ross Taylor, Jeetan Patel, Mark Gillespie, Michael Mason

Pakistan
Inzamam-ul-Haq (Captain), Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Yousuf, Younis Khan, Azhar Mahmood, Shoaib Malik, Muhammad Sami, Imran Nazir, Kamran Akmal, Naved-ul-Hasan, Mohammad Hafeez, Iftikhar Anjum, Umar Gul, Danish Kaneria, Yasir Arafat

Scotland
Craig Wright (Captain), Dougie Brown, Gavin Hamilton, John Blain, Neil McCallum, Ryan Watson, Ross Lyons, Fraser Watts, Paul Hoffmann, Colin Smith, Majid Haq, Navdeep Poonia, Dewald Nel, Douglas Lockhart, Glenn Rogers

South Africa
Graeme Smith (Captain), Shaun Pollock, Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher, Herschelle Gibbs, Makhaya Ntini, Andrew Hall, Justin Kemp, Andre Nel, Ashwell Prince, Charl Langeveldt, Roger Telemachus, Robin Peterson, AB de Villiers, Loots Bosman

Sri Lanka
Mahela Jayawardene (Captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Chaminda Vaas, M Muralitharan, Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara, Russel Arnold, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Dilhara Fernando, Farveez Maharoof, Upul Tharanga, Lasith Malinga, Malinga Bandara, Nuwan Kulasekara, Chamara Silva

The Netherlands
Luuk Van Troost (Captain), Tim De Leede, Bas Zuiderent, Daan van Bunge, Jeroen Smits, Edgar Schiferli, Ryan ten Doeschate, Peter Borren, Alexei Kervezee, Darron Reekers, Billy Stelling, Adeel Raja, Mohammad Kashif, Mark Jonkman, Eric Szwarczynski

West Indies
Brian Lara (Captain), Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Marlon Samuels, Corey Collymore, Dwayne Bravo, Ian Bradshaw, Dwayne Smith, Jerome Taylor, Denesh Ramdin, Daren Powell, Devon Smith, Lendl Simmons, Kieron Pollard

Zimbabwe
Prosper Utseya (Captain), Stuart Matsikenyeri, Brendan Taylor, Gary Brent, Elton Chigumbura, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Anthony Ireland, Edward Rainsford, Justice Chibhabha, Terrence Duffin, Tawanda Mupariwa, Chris Mpofu, Sean Williams, Keith Dabengwa, Friday Kasteni

Vaughan ready for World Cup

English captain Michael Vaughan, who has played in just 3 of Englands last 35 one-day internationals after battling a knee and then a hamstring injury says he will be right for the World Cup - "Hamstrings are very vulnerable but everything has gone very well in training indoors, the next stage is getting out on to the grass in the warm-up game.

"I have spoken too much about injuries, I just want to play. I don't enjoy being on the physio's bed constantly being asked questions about my knee and my hamstring - I am feeling all right.

"There is no way I'll be playing a full part in the game against Bermuda, I have just got to try and build it up and I am hoping to get some time in the middle.

"These warm-up games are very much about trying to get everyone right."

England still has injury concerns with Kevin Pietersen (rib) and bowlers James Anderson (back) and Jon Lewis (achilles), however Vaughan is confident they'll be right to go, "The only question mark has been Jon Lewis because he has not had any cricket, but he will be looking to bowl his 10 overs in the warm-up games."

Vaughan also fancies the team's chances after recent positive performances "I think we are in a lot better position than we were at the end of January, we have got an opportunity to create something special.

"We haven't really turned up at a World Cup since way back in 1992 and it is about time we did.

"This group of players has got a great opportunity of being the first England team for 15 years to go on and be successful."

Pakistan, Bangladesh players given more incentive to win

The Pakistan Cricket Board is offering its players a reward of up to US$1.2 million if they win the World Cup. Under the plan, each player will receive a bonus of 5 million rupees (US$84,000) if they win the tournament.

Their also offering a cash bonus of US$20,000 if they make the semi-finals.

Bangladesh has also employed a similar scheme to spur on it's players,

"To spur the Bangladesh Cricket Team on in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, the Board announced incentive bonuses for the players,” the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said. “Accordingly, each player will receive an additional US$2000 (on top of the usual win bonus) per match for winning a Group Stage game.

“If the team qualify for the Super Eight stage then each player will receive an additional US$3000 (on top of the usual win bonus) for winning a game.”

Australia's World Cup uniform

Australia has revealed it's World Cup uniform. Check it out:

Kumble eyes retirement from one-day cricket

Anil Kumble seems likely to retire from one-day cricket after the World Cup.

"I think it will be a really exciting World Cup," he told Indian TV.

"It is definitely going to be my last World Cup, probably the last one-day international series for me."

Irfan Pathan cleared to play in World Cup

Indian bowler Irfan Pathan has proved his fitness and has been cleared to play in next month's world cup. Pathan took 2-48 in the Indian Deodhar Trophy (the country's one day tournament) to prove his recovery from a shoulder strain.

"There is no alteration in the 15 players who were selected for the World Cup." said chief Indian selector Dilip Vengsarkar.

Akhtar and Asif likely to miss World Cup

Karachi: Pakistan bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif are expected to miss the World Cup due to doping and fitness problems, a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official said yesterday.

The two have been named in Pakistan's squad but have yet to take the board's official dope tests and must also be cleared of their knee and elbow injuries.

"The situation for them is not good. They are struggling against time and we are not very hopeful of them playing in the World Cup," said the PCB official without wanting to be named.

The two bowlers tested positive last October for the banned substance nandrolone, but a PCB appeals panel cleared them of a doping offence and set aside their bans in December.

Pakistan media reported on Friday they had gone to London to take private dope tests to confirm the level of nandrolone remaining in their bodies.

The reports said they took the tests to confirm no traces of nandrolone remained before taking the PCB's official tests.

Director of cricket operations Saleem Altaf insisted it was mandatory for Shoaib and Asif to clear dope tests and fitness trials next week to play in the World Cup.

"I don't know why they are delaying taking the tests in Pakistan but if they don't take it they don't go to the World Cup," he said.

Source: Reuters

Scotland looking to cause a few upsets

After loses to England and then New Zealand, now even Scotland thinks they have a shot at knocking of the Aussies!

"We don't fear anyone at this World Cup – the last month's fixtures in one-day cricket all over the world have been interesting to say the least and we won't be losing any sleep over playing the world champions," said Scotland's Australian-raised coach Peter Drinnen.

"If we can take early wickets, which I'm sure we can with the way we've been bowling, we might set a few nerves jangling and cause the likes of Australia and South Africa a few problems."

Although Scotland only has a small number of players who have ever played first-class cricket, they still fancy themselves at causing a few upsets:

"You hear a lot about our amateur status but that doesn't wash with me or the players," Drinnen said.

"The players set themselves professional standards and if they stick to them they're going to have a good tournament.

"We aren't going to the Caribbean to play exhibition cricket. Yes, we will be massive underdogs in the most difficult group, but I'm confident we will justify our place with the elite and who knows what we could do?

"Nobody is getting carried away here and we know we've got jobs to do and we will be giving it everything to cause a shock."

Brett Lee out of World Cup

After losing five matches on the trot, Australia's world cup campaign has suffered another blow, with Brett Lee being ruled out. Lee suffered an ankle injury during a training session in New Zealand ten days ago and was this morning givin the bad news by a specialist. Stuart Clark has been named as Lee's replacement.

Australian chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch issued a statement saying "It is a great disappointment for Brett Lee that he is unable to take place in the World Cup and is a significant blow for the planning and preparation in place for the tournament. However it does give a tremendous opportunity for Stuart Clark to join the 15-man squad."

"Stuart was extremely unlucky to miss out on initial selection and despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding his inclusion we strongly believe that Stuart is primed to seize his opportunity."

"Though Brett’s injury is disappointing from a personal and team perspective, we strongly believe we are taking a squad of players more than capable of winning a third successive Cricket World Cup."

Stuart Clark is expected to fly to the West Indies on Wednesday pending his approval from the ICC.

Watson, Johnson to miss state final

Queensland cricket captain Jimmy Maher has lashed out at Cricket Australia over their decision to pull Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson from the team to play Victoria in Sunday's Ford Ranger Cup (the One-Day series) final. Cricket Australia has ordered the players be rested to avoid injury ahead of the World Cup. Ridiculous, if you ask me!

Brad Hodge may also be missing for the Victorians.

Click here for Maher's comments on Nine news. (There's also an interesting bit at the end of the story on whether the West Indies venues will be ready in time for the World Cup)

Rahul Dravid looking forward to start of World Cup

Indian captain Rahul Dravid is happy the talk is almost over, with the World Cup less then three weeks away. Speaking at the launch of the team's new uniform Dravid had the following to say -

"In some ways, it's a relief that the World Cup has finally arrived after the amount of discussions that have taken place on television and in the newspapers over the last several months which is understandable in a World Cup year"

"We are finally going out and performing on the field. It's an exciting opportunity and a great challenge for us as it's the pinnacle of one-day cricket in the world. We will try and give our very best. Everyone in the team is excited" he added.

However, Dravid admits captaining the team in a cricket mad nation can be difficult at times.

"Captaining the team has been an exciting experience over the last 16 to 18 months. For a kid growing up in India it is obviously a dream to play for India.

"But there are definitely more headaches when you are captain than when you are just a player in the team.

"I am sure Sachin (Tendulkar) and Sourav (Ganguly) will agree."

India kicks off its campaign on the 17th of March against Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka to issue commemorative World Cup stamps

The Sri Lankan Cricket board and the Department of Post and Telecommunications will issue postage stamps to commemorate the 2007 cricket World Cup. The stamps which will be officially launched on Friday, will be priced at Sri Lankan Rs.5 and Rs.50.

Sri Lanka's plays it's first match against Bermuda on March 15th.

Hayden to be right for World Cup opener

Australian opener Matt Hayden say's he'll be ready to go for Australia's world cup opener against Scotland on March 14th, despite fracturing his toe during Tuesday's loss to New Zealand.

"I'm looking to be right on the money for that game," Hayden said. "There is nothing structurally wrong except for the fracture. We will review things on Monday, but in terms of a break it's as good as you can have."

Hayden also remains confident that Australia can claim its third straight World Cup crown despite the recent slump in form.

"Looking at the smaller picture we probably aren't where we wanted to be right now, but a lot of the things we have put in place over the past month and a half are going to stand us in good stead," Hayden said.

"When the big cricket is being played and the big characters need to stand up, I can tell you there are few blokes you would rather have beside you than the ones we've got.

"There will be lots of comments over the next few weeks, as there should be. We've had a few injury scares but come those big, important games of the year we will be right up for them."

South Africa knocks Australia off the top of the world rankings

This is from the ICC media release:

The Proteas have taken over at the summit of the table following Australia’s five-wicket loss to New Zealand in Auckland on Sunday, which cost Michael Hussey’s side two rating points...

It is the first time since the listings began in October 2002 that Australia has not occupied top position.

Here's the latest official rankings:

Rank Team Points

1 South Africa 128
2 Australia 126
3 Pakistan 111
4 New Zealand 111
5 India 109
6 Sri Lanka 108
7 England 106
8 West Indies 101
9 Bangladesh 42
10 Zimbabwe 22
11 Kenya 0

17 Days to go!

It's less then three weeks from the start of what promises to be an exciting 2007 Cricket World Cup. As the Aussies hit a form slump and lose their number one ranking, the field is wide open!

Keep it tuned here for constant updates and ramblings!