ICC CWC 2007 match packages awarded - Barbados to host final

Barbados has been chosen as the venue to host the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007, while Jamaica will host the Opening Ceremony and Opening Match.

The announcement was made at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Montego Bay, Jamaica during the Award of Matches ceremony on Tuesday evening.

The ceremony, which outlined the allocation of matches for each of the eight venues, was attended by government and cricket officials, sponsors, media and representatives of the host venues and was carried live during prime-time television across the Caribbean.

The award of match packages is as follows:

Black - Final, 3 of the largest Super Eight matches and 3 other Super 8 matches - Barbados

Yellow - Opening Ceremony and Opening Game, 1 semi-final, 6 first round matches (West Indies team) - Jamaica

Blue - 1 semi-final and 6 first round matches (England team) - St Lucia

Red - 3 of the largest Super Eight matches and 3 other Super Eight matches - Antigua and Barbuda

Green 1 - 6 Super Eight matches - Grenada

Green 2 - 6 Super Eight matches - Guyana

Brown - 6 first round matches (India team) - Trinidad & Tobago

Orange - 6 first round matches (Australia team) - St Kitts- Nevis

The message of the evening was of `Caribbean Unity' ahead of the competition, which will be the biggest event ever hosted in the Caribbean.

Prime Minister Keith Mitchell of Grenada presents an award to Clive Lloyd © ICC

Prior to the announcement, International Cricket Council (ICC) President Ehsan Mani delivering remarks at the Award of Matches Ceremony said: "Cricket has a unique ability to draw together the people of this glorious region and the strength of this bond will be crucial to the successful hosting of the ICC Cricket World Cup.

"Whatever the outcome of tonight's match allocation, tomorrow the entire cricketing world will be looking to the West Indies to unite and deliver the biggest sporting event the Caribbean has ever seen.

Local Organizing Committees (LOCs) as well as cricket fans and supporters across the Caribbean have been advised by Chairman of ICC CWC W.I. 2007 Inc, Rawle Brancker, to "let the brilliance of the BID process now permeate every corner of the Caribbean in a way that will convert the plans into permanent reality and the challenges into opportunities for the resourcefulness of our talented people to be seen around the world, as being more than capable of planning and executing a flawless ICC Cricket World Cup in 2007."

Mr Brancker in his comments aimed not only at the LOCs but the wider Caribbean added: "There is, however, little time left, but enough for us to do the job. There is no time for celebration, instead, let us, consolidate, harmonise our approach and unite towards the one purpose of staging the best World Cup event.

Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Grenada's Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell said during this evening's function, "I believe, without a doubt that we in the Caribbean have the will, the ability and the creativity to rise to the challenge and make 2007 the most memorable of all ICC Cricket World Cups.

"I say this because, in the West Indies, cricket is the glue that binds us together. Each of our countries individually and the region collectively, have a rich cricket history. We have given much to the cricket world and it is thus fitting that 2007 should be our year."

Chris Dehring, Managing Director and CEO, ICC CWC WI 2007 Inc. presents the ICC CWC finals package to Barbados representative Chris de Caires. © ICC

President of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), Mr. Teddy Griffith, praised the Heads of Government for their support to this stage: "From the time the Heads of Government were first approached in 1998, our leaders have committed themselves to the process and we owe them a debt of gratitude for staying the course with us and agreeing to undertake the significant investment that this event calls for."

Mr Griffith has also indicated that the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 would leave a legacy of economic benefit as well as a required "improvement of and addition to the cricketing facilities to which sadly we have admittedly not paid sufficient attention in the past."

There will be a total of 51 matches with 24 games in the Super Eight stage, two semi-finals and then the final. It is estimated that the ICC Cricket World Cup, the third biggest sports event in the world, will be viewed every day by hundreds of millions of people around the globe.

New venues will be built in Antigua and Guyana while the remaining six venues will undergo major upgrades in order to host international matches.