Sabina Park. to be renovated for 2007 World Cup

As if to compensate for its failed bid to land the prestigious final, Jamaica was last night named host of the opening ceremony for Cricket's World Cup in 2007.

In addition, the most northerly of the Caribbean islands will host the opening game of the tournament at Sabina Park in three years' time, along with the first semi-final of the ICC event.

In securing the "Yellow Package", Jamaica will further play host to all six first-round matches featuring home team West Indies at the same venue.

Managing director and CEO of CWC WI 2007 Inc, Chris Dehring, made the announcement at the Award of Matches Ceremony hosted by the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Montego Bay and beamed live throughout the world.

Meanwhile, Barbados won the right to host the coveted final by being awarded the "Black Package".

Jamaica had initially proposed to host quarter-final matches and the final, but some cricketing pundits were last night confident that the actual package offered was better than the one that was submitted at first.

Last night's award means that Jamaica will be in charge of hosting all the participating teams at the outset, as well as showcasing the region culturally.

Meanwhile, St Kitts and Nevis were awarded the "Orange Package" and will host first-round matches featuring World Champions Australia.

Grenada and Guyana were offered the first and second "Green Packages", respectively, and will both host second round and Super Eight matches.

Picturesque St Lucia landed the "Blue Package" and will be home to England. It will host first round games and one semi-final.

Trinidad & Tobago was given the "Brown Package" and will be home to last year's World Cup finalists, India. It will be in charge of first-round group matches as well.

Antigua and Barbuda was selected for the "Red Package" and will be asked to host Second Round and Super Eight games.

Chairman of Caricom Dr Keith Mitchell, International Cricket Council (ICC) president Ehsan Mani, president of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Teddy Griffith; and ICC CWC WI 2007 Inc chairman Rawle Brancker were also among last night's speakers.

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