:: INDIA EMPIRE ::

COUNTDOWN TO CRICKET FEST

When the ICC World Cup moves into the Caribbean in 2007, it will be a heady mix of Cricket, Carnival and Calypso in picture perfect Trinidad & Tobago

Nothing beats the sight of a West Indian paceman thundering in to bowl his bat-shattering deliveries with the Caribbean breeze blowing and the Calypso-playing crowd on song in the bleachers. Even if too many of those pacemen are not around, the rest of the dynamite is still there waiting to explode in March 2007. For, that’s when Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) will host the ICC World Cup. When time will stand still.

The country’s fair share of natural assets—tropical climate, magnificent scenery, beautiful beaches, and the biggest cultural extravaganza, the Carnival—will provide a stunning backdrop to the matches.

The new, improved Queen's Park Oval, the oldest cricketing ground in the
W Indies, will stage the opening round Group B matches

With the complete understanding that sport and tourism is a winning combination, the Trinidad & Tobago Local Organising Committee will imprint its unique national and cultural identity during the World Cup by showcasing the diversity and attraction that makes T&T a natural choice for sport and leisure. T and T will also utilise its knowledge and skills of modern sports management to advance athletic standards internationally.

T&T will host Group B matches at the historic Queens Park Oval from March 15-25. Eight of the participating 16 teams will play in T&T, with warm-up matches kicking off from March 5-9. These warm-ups will essentially inaugurate the newly constructed stadium named after T&T’s cricketing great

Brian Lara.

The Queen’s Park Oval, QPO, the oldest established cricketing ground in the West Indies, will stage the opening round Group B matches and will feature newly reconstructed outfield and pitches. The new stands will include the members’ pavilion, media pavilion and the Trini Posse stand. A new TriVision screen will provide up-to-the-minute score and exciting replays. Coupled with new concession areas, bathroom facilities and world-class signage, the QPO will offer convenience and comfort for great cricket action and viewing.

At the Brian Lara Stadium, work is continuing on the pitch and outfield and both stadia have incorporated the ICC standards for percolation and include silica sand, clay and Bermudan 419 grass.

Allowing a fair chance for passionate cricket fans to apply for tickets, the sale of public tickets commenced on May 1 2006 marking the first segment of a three-phased ticketing plan. The second stage will runs from September 1-November 30 2006, tickets will be sold on a “first come, first serve” basis from the official ticketing website and official ticket centres in the host venues. The final phase begins January 9 to April 28, 2007 on a first come first serve basis again. Tickets range from US $10 for a single match ticket to US $300 for the best seats at the final.

Where to stay? There are many hotels and guest houses available in T&T, most of which can be accessed through a variety of travel dot.coms. Excitement. Promise. Wonder. All these and more are waiting for you. So get, set, jet.