India grouped with Australia, Pakistan,

England in WC 2003

JOHANNESBURG, OCT. 1. India has been grouped with Australia, Pakistan, England, Zimbabwe, Netherlands, Namibia in the World Cup to be held in South Africa in February-March 2003.

The Executive Director of the World Cup, Dr. Ali Bacher, while releasing the groups said, ``South Africa and West Indies will play the opening match at Newlands, Cape Town. It's our way of saying `well done' to West Indies, which has provided entertainment for over 50 years. They have produced outstanding cricketers. They have made tremendous impact. I spoke to Wesley Hall, the President of the West Indies Cricket Board and he has accepted South Africa's invitation to participate in the showpiece tournament opener.''

Fourteen nations will be competing in the six week long Cup. The prize money for the event is US $ 5 million. The organising committee has rescheduled the Cup final. ``We had scheduled the final for mid week, but now it will be played in the weekend, either on March 15 or 16, 2003. This has been done in order to maximise global television exposure of the Cup matches. There is a possibility that the inauguration too could be advanced. We are trying to compact the World Cup. It should not go beyond six weeks. Maybe there will be three matches played in a day,'' said Dr. Bacher.

The pools: Pool A: South Africa, West Indies, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Kenya and Canada; Pool B: Australia, Pakistan, England, India, Zimbabwe, Netherlands and Namibia.

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