New format to test the best Twelve teams, 20 towns, 42 matches -- one prize Click here for more on this story Posted: Tuesday May 11, 1999 03:26 PM LONDON (Reuters) -- World Cup cricket 1999 style, with a new and improved format to test the game's greatest talents, has the ingredients to transcend the six previous tournaments. For 5 1/2 weeks starting on Friday the sport's most prestigious event brings together the nine test-playing teams and three qualifying sides for 42 matches in 18 British towns and cities as well as Dublin and the Dutch venue of Amstelveen. With an estimated global television audience of two billion, it offers a showcase for such compelling images as the sublime strokeplay of Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara, the artistry of leg-spinner Shane Warne and the irrepressible fast bowling of Allan Donald and Glenn McGrath. Unlike the last World Cup on the Indian subcontinent in 1996, the seventh edition is designed to be significantly more competitive, with no team getting an easy ride through the first round. Because eight of the 12 teams were scheduled to qualify from the first stage three years ago, it was clear before a ball was bowled that all the test sides with the likely exception of the weaker Zimbabweans would fill the last eight places. England went through even though its only two victories were against non-test countries, the Netherlands and United Arab Emirates, but when it faces defending champions Sri Lanka in the opening match at Lord's in four days' time, winning will be a priority from the outset. Hosts England are in the more difficult of the two six-team groups -- they also face India, favorites South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya -- from which only three progress into the Super Six second stage. England's captain Alec Stewart has acknowledged the demanding early nature of their challenge. "One of the hardest aspects is getting through our first round group," he said. "It is important we start well against Sri Lanka [at Lord's]." The incentive to win group games is underlined by the fact that the points scored against the two other teams who qualify will be carried forward into the Super Six stage. Even given the hugely unpredictable character of limited-overs cricket, there can be little argument with South Africa being made the early favorites. Their great strength is in having so many players who can operate as all-rounders, providing batting in depth and ideal balance. Jacques Kallis, Lance Klusener and captain Hansie Cronje are the key trio in this respect. With outstandingly athletic fielding led by Jonty Rhodes and potent fast bowling from Donald and Shaun Pollock, South Africa have a resourceful and resilient squad to give out-going coach Bob Woolmer a Cup-winning farewell. Steve Waugh's Australia is not far behind South Africa in the early betting to lift the trophy at the Lord's final on June 20. It has developed a specialist one-day side who during the past six months has won series in Pakistan and at home as well as drawing in the West Indies. Skipper Waugh epitomizes the mental strength which makes the Australians such formidable opponents in a crisis, and the World Cup is likely to be won by the team who best respond to such a situation. Waugh's men had to confront a Lara-inspired West Indian revival during their recent tour, prompting hopes of a repeat of the Caribbean triumphs in the first two World Cups in England in 1975 and 1979. The form and fitness of captain Lara and his two aging but indomitable fast bowlers, Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh, may be the key to that prospect. Pakistan, despite a troubled off-field build up in which Javed Miandad quit as coach to be replaced by another of its famous former batting heroes, Mushtaq Mohammad, is a mercurial side with the potential to cause an upset. Wasim Akram, in his fourth spell as captain, has turned Pakistan's form and fortunes around since the beginning of the year. It won the Asian test championship against India and Sri Lanka, a one-day series involving the same opponents, then the Sharjah Cup against England and Pakistan. That series in the desert again revealed England's unhappy knack of self-destructing in a favorable position. Its subsequent form in the warm-up matches against county teams, including a one-run win over Essex, has hardly encouraged a reduction in the odds.   Related information Stories ICC head calls for end to video replays to protect umpires Packer transformed the face of cricket Multimedia Click here for the latest audio and video Search our site Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI. Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.

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