World Cup prize-money boosted

The 2003 cricket World Cup, to be jointly hosted by South Africa and Zimbabwe, will have a five-fold increase in prize-money. Tournament organisers said the cricket's showpiece event The

Prize money for the 2003 Cricket World Cup has been boosted five-fold to US$5 million (about R40 million) by the sport's authorities, who are also threatening to get tough on pitch invaders.

The international showpiece in South Africa will see a dramatic increase from 1999, when US1 million was available for winning and losing teams as well as star players.

Cricket captains, including South Africa's Shaun Pollock and Steve Waugh of Australia, will make recommendations on how to split the prize money. On pitch invasions, Hartman said the 2003 CWC would not allow any spectators on to the field from the start of play until after the prize giving.

"Security will enjoy an extremely high priority ... Our attitude is one of zero tolerance to unauthorised people trying to get on to the ground." On the latest list of one-day international rankings, SA have seen a few changes to their group, with England joining them and India moving out and into Australia's pool.

England, who failed to win a match in the current triangular series against Australia and Pakistan, have been selected as opponents for SA in the tournament opener at Newlands in Cape Town on February 7.

But with the rankings being finalised only at the end of September, it is still possible for the West Indies to push the English even further down the international rankings and out of SA's group.

In total, 14 teams will compete in 54 matches over 42 days, ending with the final in Johannesburg on March 19.

Group matches will number 42 and will be played over 22 consecutive days. All day-night games will be played in Cape Town and Durban.

SA will host 46 of the total games and Zimbabwe six.

The ICC will rule by mid-July on Bacher's plea for Kenya to be given two World Cup matches.

An estimated 750000 tickets are expected to be sold. Fifty-four one-ounce gold coins will be produced by the Chamber of Mines to be used for toss -- one coin per match.

"Permission has been sought from the SA government for the face of president Thabo Mbeki to appear on one side of the coin, with the 2003 Cricket World Cup logo, the names of the two competing teams, the date and the venue of the match on the other side of the coin."

Zimbabwe to stage six WC 2003 games

Members of the 2003 Cricket World Cup management team, led by 2003 CWC executive director Dr Ali Bacher, were joined on their six-day tour by representatives of South African companies who have been selected as official suppliers to the tournament in February and March of 2003.

Zimbabwe will in all probability stage six World Cup games -- three at the Harare Sports Club ground and three at the Queens ground in Bulawayo.

According to Dr Bacher, the South African delegation came away confident that the Zimbabwe venues, with upgrading in certain areas, are capable of meeting the requirements to stage games that are likely to feature such countries as Australia, Pakistan and India.

* Teams and pre-tournament venues are: S Africa (Cape Town); West Indies (Bloemfontein); Sri Lanka (Kimberley); England (Port Elizabeth); Kenya (East London); India (Durban); Bangladesh (Pmb); Pakistan (Jhb); Canada (Jhb); New Zealand (Centurion); Australia (Potchefstroom); Holland (Paarl); Namibia (Benoni) /Bulawayo).