[Shafin]

Twenty20 World Cup fixtures announced

The full fixture list for the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup has been annouced and host South Africa will take on the West Indies in the opening game at the Wanderers.

On Wednesday September 12th, a day after the opening match, the Kingsmead Stadium in Durban will host the first double-header of the Championship when New Zealand and Kenya square-up in the morning fixture. Following the conclusion of that match Pakistan and Scotland will play each other at 14h00. Later that night Australia takes on Zimbabwe at Newlands in Cape Town.

Once the group stage is completed the two top teams from each group will go through to the Super 8's which start on Sunday, September 16th. The top four teams after the Super 8's will go through the the semi finals on Saturday, September 22nd.

The Final of the Twenty20 World Cup will be played at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Heritage Day, Monday, September 23rd 2007.

In announcing the fixtures, Steve Elworthy, Tournament Director of the Twenty20 World Cup, said: “The finalisation of the fixtures programme for this inaugural ICC Twenty/20 World Championship 2007 is a result of a successful process of consultation between the International Cricket Council, Cricket South Africa and the host stadiums.

“We are certainly pleased with the materialisation of this important development, as this means that the Local Organising Committee can now channel more of its energy on other awaiting programmes of action.

“Further, the fixtures programme has also been designed in a way that; even though there is going to be more than one game being played on each day, none of those games have been scheduled at the same time and it, therefore, becomes possible for viewers and spectators to watch all the games as the start times do not clash.”

Warm-up matches are slated for Saturday, September 8th and Sunday, September 9th, normally this is to allow the teams to acclimatise to the local conditions but for most nations these warm up games will be their only taste of Twenty20 cricket this year.

For England and India their preparations for the tournament will be far from ideal as they have to play the final game of the Natwest Series on Saturday, September 8th at Lords before heading to South Africa the next day missing their only opportunity to play any part in the warm up games.

Twenty20 World Cup Fixtures (all times local GMT +1)

Tuesday, September 11th 2007
South Africa v West Indies 1800 Johannesburg
Wednesday, September 12th 2007

New Zealand v Kenya 1000 Durban

Pakistan v Scotland 1400 Durban

Australia v Zimbabwe 1800 Cape Town

Thursday, September 13th 2007
West Indies v Bangladesh 1000 Johannesburg

Zimbabwe v England 1400 Cape Town

India v Scotland 1800 Durban

Friday, September 14th 2007

Sri Lanka v Kenya 1000 Johannesburg

Australia v England 1400 Cape Town

India v Pakistan 1800 Durban

Saturday, September 15th 2007

Sri Lanka v New Zealand 1400 Johannesburg
South Africa v Bangladesh 1800 Cape Town

Sunday, September 16th 2007

Winner Group C v Runner Up Group D 1000 Johannesburg

Winner Group B v Runner Up Group A 1400 Cape Town

Winner Group A v Runner Up Group B 1800 Cape Town

Monday, September 17th 2007

Winner Group D v Runner Up Group C 1800 Johannesburg

Tuesday, September 18th 2007

Winner Group C v Runner Up Group B 1000 Durban

Winner Group B v Winner Group D 1400 Johannesburg

Runner Up Group A v Runner Up Group C 1800 Johannesburg

Wednesday, September 19th 2007

Winner Group A v Winner Group C 1400 Durban

Runner Up Group B v Runner Up Group D 1800 Durban

Thursday, September 20th 2007

Winner Group B v Runner Up Group C 1000 Cape Town

Runner Up Group A v Winner Group D 1400 Cape Town

Winner Group A v Runner Up Group D 1800 Durban

Saturday, September 22nd 2007

E2 v F1 1400 Cape Town

E1 v F2 1800 Durban

Monday, September 24th 2007
Final TBA Johannesburg

Groups

Group A
South Africa
West Indies
Bangladesh

Group B
England
Australia
Zimbabwe

Group C
New Zealand
Sri Lanka
Kenya

Group D
Pakistan
India
Scotland

venues

Wanderers - Johannesburg

Known as the 'Bullring' because of its intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams the Wanderers has a rich history. It was the third Test ground in Johannesburg following the Old Wanderers Stadium and Ellis Park. For more than 74 years, it has provided the focal point of Johannesburg's sporting aspirations.

Kingsmead - Durban

Kingsmead is located in humid Durban, home to sandy beaches and surfing. The ground has played host to tests since January 1923 when England and South Africa played to out a draw. Highlights in the history of Kingsmead include South Africa's innings and 129-run demolition of Australia, in Feb 70.

Newlands - Cape Town

Newlands, home of Western Province Cricket, has been described by many, together with the Adelaide Oval in Australia, as one of the most beautiful cricket grounds in the World. Nestled at the foot of Table Mountain it is one of the most picturesque places in the world to watch cricket.

Source