FLORENCE HALL, Trelawny – If weather holds, golden sunshine against a backdrop of pristine blue sea will provide the picture-perfect setting today for the lavish US$2-million opening ceremony for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 on Jamaica’s scenic north coast.

The ceremony setting the stage for over six weeks of cricket, an intriguing game of bat versus ball, will be beamed to an estimated 2.6 billion people across the globe, from the spanking new Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium, two kilometres east of the historic seaport town of Falmouth.

It will feature more than 2,000 performers and is expected to be witnessed by a crowd of 12,000, organisers said. Approximately 600 international media personnel have been accredited for the event dubbed “West Indian Energy”, which promises to reflect the colours and diversity of the Caribbean.

All heads of cricket-playing nations or their representatives are expected to be in attendance at the nearly three-hour-long function, which begins at 5:00 pm local time.

The opening ceremony will showcase the talent of popular international reggae artistes Sean Paul, Shaggy, Jimmy Cliff, The I Threes, Sly & Robbie, Beres Hammond, Buju Banton, Gregory Isaacs, Third World and Lucky Dube.

The line-up also includes first lady of soca, Alison Hinds from Barbados; St Vincent’s international singing talent, Kevin Lyttle; and calypsonians Arrow from Montserrat and Trinidadian David Rudder.

All of the nine Host Venues will be represented in the celebration of the spirit of the Caribbean at the function. The display will include a cast of stilt-walkers paying tribute to the Caribbean’s cricket prowess over the years, from the great cricketer, Sir Garfield Sobers, to the region’s current star batsman and West Indies captain Brian Lara, the organisers said.

Yesterday, teams of technicians, set builders, television production staff and other logistics personnel were working feverishly at the US$32-million stadium to fine-tune the installation and set-up for today’s extravaganza.

Hundreds of children of school age who will be involved in the entertainment package of the opening ceremony were also in last-minute rehearsal inside the complex yesterday.

Expecting a sold-out attendance, communications manager of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) Pauline Nelson urged persons driving to the event to car-pool.

“We are recommending that people carpool wherever possible,” said Nelson. “There is ample parking on site, however, pooling cars will reduce traffic congestion and the cost of parking can be shared.”

She also advised those persons who had purchased Category 3 seating at the venue, which is located on the grass berm to the east of the stadium, to bring towels or cushions to sit on.

“It will be unreserved seating on the grass, but as folding chairs are not permitted, it is important to remember to bring a towel or cushion to sit on,” Nelson suggested.

Sixteen teams are competing for the trophy, currently held by Australia.

The first game of the tournament – the world’s third largest sporting event- begins on Tuesday with the West Indies playing Pakistan at Sabina Park in Kingston.

The competition ends on April 28 with the final in Barbados.