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| Friday, 21 March 2003 |
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War won't stop World Cup final, say organisers SOUTH AFRICA, Thursday - Cricket's World Cup final will go ahead as planned on Sunday despite the opening of hostilities in Iraq, a tournament spokesman told AFP on Thursday. However, the match will take place against a background of heightened security with more police on duty at the game taking place at the Wanderers ground here. Only the final on Sunday and the second semi-final between India and Kenya, which takes place in Durban later Thursday, remain to be played in the six-week long World Cup. Meanwhile, the South African team, who are due to play in Sharjah in the Gulf in April, as well as tour Bangladesh immediately afterwards, are waiting on government advice before making a final decision on whether or not the trip will go ahead. "Everything is on track and the World Cup final goes ahead as planned," said Rodney Hartman, the World Cup organising committee's communications director. "There are no plans to change the schedule but the match will take place with a heightened security awareness." More police will be present at the final and semi-final, but there are no plans at present to post soldiers at the two venues. "There will be an increased awareness of security in both the public and private sectors," added Hartman. The winners of Thursday's day-night semi-final will face defending champions Australia in Sunday's final. South Africa's players are due to leave for Sharjah on March 28 where they are scheduled to take part in the April 1-10 tri-nations series along with Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Graeme Smith's men then leave for Bangladesh for another three-nation contest involving the hosts and India which will be followed by two Test matches against Bangladesh. "At the moment we are waiting on advice on the situation from our government people in Dubai," said Gerald de Kock, media manager of the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA). "We haven't yet heard from the tournament organisers in Sharjah. But until we hear anything to the contrary, the tour will go ahead." |
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