Organisers confident West Indies will be at World Cup

Wednesday, 29 October 2014 00:37 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

MELBOURNE (Reuters): Organisers are confident West Indies will take part at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand early next year despite the crisis caused by their withdrawal from the tour of India earlier this month. West Indies, who won the first two World Cup tournaments in 1975 and 1979 and reached the quarter-finals in India in 2011, are always among the most popular teams at the 50-over showpiece.

West Indies’ Dwayne Bravo - Reuters Caribbean cricket was plunged into turmoil on 17 October, however, after the series in India was aborted over a protracted payment dispute between the players and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB). India’s powerful cricket board , the BCCI, responded by suspending all future tours involving West Indies as well as taking legal action against the WICB, which could have a devastating financial impact on cricket in the region. Chief executive of the World Cup, John Harnden said there was a contingency plan in place for a West Indies no-show but doubted it would be needed. “We see that everyone’s very focused on resolving the situation as quickly as possible,” he told reporters on Tuesday. “We’ve got 108 days until the World Cup and from our point of view I’ve no doubt the West Indies will be here and entertaining the crowd as only they know how.” West Indies are scheduled to open their campaign against Ireland in Nelson, New Zealand on 16 February and also play defending champions India, South Africa, Pakistan and Zimbabwe and the United Arab Emirates in Pool B. The World Cup runs from 14 February to March 29.

South Africa top ODI rankings after NZ series victory

Reuters: South Africa have moved to the top of the International Cricket Council (ICC) one-day rankings for the first time in five years, the Proteas climbing above Australia following their 2-0 series win in New Zealand.

The last time South Africa headed the ODI rankings was in September 2009 but they slipped down the standings after their first round elimination from the ICC Champions Trophy at home later that month. South Africa trailed Australia by one point before the three-match ODI series against New Zealand and though the third and final match in Hamilton was washed out on Monday, the 2-0 result was enough to take them up to the top of the table. The number one ranking comes as a welcome boost for the side ahead of the 50-over World Cup being held in Australia and New Zealand early next year. Reigning world champions India are in third spot while 2011 runner-up Sri Lanka are next with four points separating the top four nations. South Africa captain AB de Villiers also retained top spot in the batting rankings with team mate Hashim Amla overtaking India’s Virat Kohli to claim second.