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The hosts West Indies and Pakistan will play the opening match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 after the schedule was announced here.

Group D clash between the West Indies and Pakistan will be on March 13 at the newly renovated Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica. The round robin play will see six matches over 11 days, with the final match of the Group slated for March 23, between the West Indies and Ireland who secured their place at the showpiece by reaching the final of recent International Cricket Council (ICC) Trophy.

The defending champions Australia will begin their defence of their title at the fully upgraded Warner Park Stadium in St Kitts when they take on ICC Trophy winners Scotland on March 14. The Republic of Trinidad & Tobago will host Group B. Group play will commence on March 15 when former champions Sri Lanka meet another of ICC Trophy qualifiers Bermuda. India and Sri Lanka meet in group’s most alluring fixture on March 23.

Saint Lucia will welcome teams, officials and fans to Group C of the competition. Play starts at Beausejour on March 14 when 2003 semifinalists Kenya take on another ICC Trophy qualifier Canada. Kenya also closes out the group play on March 24, when they face England.

The winners and runners-up from each of four groups will qualify for Super 8 stage of the tournament. Super 8 stage, which begins on March 27, will be played in four countries: Antigua, Guyana, Grenada & Barbados. The last match of this segment will take place on April 21.

For the semifinals, four remaining teams will travel to Jamaica & Saint Lucia. The first semifinal will be played on April 24 at Sabina Park in Kingston, where second and third place finishers from Super 8’s will square off against each other. The second of semis will be played on April 25 at Beausejour Stadium in Gros Islet, pitting first and fourth place finishers from Super 8’s against each other. The final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 will be played on April 28 at Kensington Oval in Barbados.
Source:The News