The 2007 Cricket World Cup warm-up matches were held prior to the 2007 Cricket World Cup, between March 5 and March 9 2007. All 16 nations took part in a series of matches to prepare, experiment with different tactics and to help them acclimatise to conditions in the West Indies. The warm-up matches were not classified as ODIs by the International Cricket Council, and the playing regulations were different from standard internationals in order to allow teams to experiment: the main change allowed for 13 players to play in a match with 11 batting and 11 fielding at any one time.
Several of the teams aired concerns of various matters involving the stadia and practising facilities: many of the stadiums were considered incomplete, whilst some teams claimed that the pitches were uneven, resulting in an unsafe experience to be batting in.
Australia, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan were the only teams to win both their warm up games. Bermuda, Canada, the Netherlands and Scotland did not win any of their warm up games.
None of the stadia used in the warm-up games were used in any other part of the tournament except for the Greenfield Stadium in Trelawny, which hosted the opening ceremony (but no matches).
Match status
None of the warm-up games were officially recognised as ODIs or List A matches by the International Cricket Council,[1] due to various changes in the rules of the game.
Whilst normally only 11 players are allowed to bat and field (excluding situations involving a substitute fielder),[2] 13 players were used in each team's squad for the matches - 11 of which were allowed to field at one time and 11 of which were allowed to bat (meaning players could be swapped in and out when fielding/bowling, but 2 players did not bat in a match).[3]
In official ICC matches, match referees are required to help officiate a game; but due to the changes in the rules there were none appointed for any of the warm-up games.[4] In addition, Man of the Match awards were not given out and no reserve days were set for these matches.
Preparation problems
A number of preparation problems surfaced before the start of the World Cup. Some of the venues were not 100% complete by the opening ceremony on 11 March 2007.[5] At Sabina Park, seats had to be removed at the newly constructed north-stand due to safety concerns.[6] At Trelawny Stadium in Jamaica, ground staff were unable to gain admission to the ground during the warm up matches due to accreditation problems.[7]
During the Pakistan and Canada warm-up match at Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground, the sight screen was knocked down and the game was delayed by over 70 minutes and reduced to 48 overs.[8] Additionally, a tear gas canister exploded at the Trinidad hotel where the Pakistan, South Africa, Canada and Ireland teams were staying.[9] The hotel had to be evacuated but no injuries were reported.
A number of concerns were expressed regarding the conditions of the pitches for the warm-up matches. During the Pakistan and South Africa warm up game, the teams were unhappy with the condition of the pitch, claiming irregular bounce off the wicket was "treacherous".[10] In addition, a number of teams expressed concern of the slow wickets used during the warm up matches,[11] although experts have welcomed the pitches slowing down as it will even the battle between the batsmen and the bowlers.[12]
Schedule and results
Monday March 5, 2007
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Tuesday March 6, 2007
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- Match shortened due to technical issues;[8] Duckworth-Lewis revised target to win: 274 runs in 48 overs for Canada.
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Thursday March 8, 2007
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Friday March 9, 2007
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Performances
Team | Played | Won | Lost |
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Australia | 2 | 2 | 0 |
Bangladesh | 2 | 2 | 0 |
Bermuda | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Canada | 2 | 0 | 2 |
England | 2 | 1 | 1 |
India | 2 | 2 | 0 |
Ireland | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Kenya | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Netherlands | 2 | 0 | 2 |
New Zealand | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Pakistan | 2 | 2 | 0 |
South Africa | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Scotland | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Sri Lanka | 2 | 1 | 1 |
West Indies | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Zimbabwe | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Note: Due to the change in the rules for these matches, the results did not have any effect on the ICC ODI Championship table or the ICC Associate ODI rankings.
Statistics
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Note: Due to the matches not having official ODI or List A status, any personal or team records achieved were not counted as official records.
Notes and references
- ^ Brian Murgatroyd (2007-03-02). "ICC confirms umpire and match referee appointments for opening stages of ICC Cricket World Cup". ICC. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
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(help) - ^ See twelfth man in the List of cricket terms.
- ^ "England bowlers demolish Bermuda". BBC. 2007-03-05. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
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(help) - ^ "ICC announces umpires and referees for World Cup". Cricinfo. 2007-03-02. Retrieved 2007-06-05.
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(help) - ^ "Some Cup venues still not ready". Jamaica Gleaner. 2007-03-11. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
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(help) - ^ "A week before the opening Cricket World Cup game, chinks appear at Sabina Park". India eNews. 2007-03-11. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
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(help) - ^ Mike Atherton (2007-03-12). "Hosts hope calm is not followed by a storm". The Sunday Telegraph. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
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(help) - ^ a b "Pakistan too powerful for Canada". BBC. 2007-03-06. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
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(help) - ^ "World Cup stars in security scare". BBC. 2007-03-07. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
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(help) - ^ "Pakistan sink SA on dubious pitch". BBC. 2007-03-09. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
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(help) - ^ "England soundly beaten by Aussies". BBC. 2007-03-09. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
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(help) - ^ Sambit Bal (2007-03-11). "Let the games begin". Cricinfo. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
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External links