Cricket: Wait ends with jungle roar

By RICHARD BOOCK

South African cricket's biggest day will begin tonight in Cape Town amid jungle sounds almost loud enough to drown out the tournament's political squabbles.

Jungle and safari themes will abound at Newlands for the official opening of the World Cup, an extravaganza featuring remote-controlled guinea-pigs, several million different-shaped beads and more wild animals than you can shake a stick at.

In front of a sold-out crowd of 25,000 - and, if the marketing types are to be believed, an estimated 1.4 billion television viewers - the opening ceremony will feature music stars such as Johnny Clegg, Leleti Khumalo, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, PJ Powers, and thousands of extras.

The cricketers will be there, too, as long as they can safely negotiate the watering holes and a rifle-toting MC called Marc Lottering, who will ride into the spotlight on a zebra-striped cart, pointing out the marvels of the South African bush to a bunch of tourists.

His first words will apparently be: "Hola, friends. Welcome to the southern tip of Africa, the cradle of humankind, the economic powerhouse of the continent.

"Le amogetswe mo Afrika Borwa. I'm your official guide. Join me on a jol through the sights and sounds of South Africa. Come on."

The presentation will then split into half-a-dozen themes representing safari, unity, township, the sea, innovation and protocol, the last of which will be the signal for the 14 competing nations to march into the stadium, escorted by Cape minstrels, and international and sporting greats.

The celebration of cricket and all things South African is expected to provide a welcome break from the political infighting that has marked the lead-up to the tournament, although it would be no surprise if the reunion causes more problems away from the event.

The last time all the cricket nations were together, at the ICC Knockout tournament in Sri Lanka last year, the players' associations made their feelings known on several issues, a situation which might yet arise again this weekend.

The catalyst for more discontent could be yesterday's refusal by the tournament's technical committee to move England's February 13 game from troubled Harare, despite concerns about security.

England have appealed against the decision. If they are unsuccessful, they probably will take a similar course of action to New Zealand's on Kenya and forfeit the match, landing a major blow to their chances of qualifying for the second round.

The controversy-riddled tournament, viewed as the most ambitious staged by the sport, will start tomorrow night when favourites South Africa square off against the West Indies at Newlands.

The South Africans are widely tipped to emulate the deeds of their 1995 rugby counterparts, who won a World Cup title on home soil after beating the All Blacks in extra time.

South Africa's chief concern, as usual, will be the Australians, although the latest news was not good for the defending champions, who have found themselves with fresh injury concerns over captain Ricky Ponting (hamstring) and key spinner Shane Warne (finger).

For all that, if they think they have problems, they only need to look in the direction of India and Pakistan to see what genuine concern is all about.

India lost yesterday to KwaZulu Natal after being bowled out for 158 in 38.2 overs, the only bright moment being Virender Sehwag's 40.

Pakistan suffered even a worse ignominy given their billing, going down to Easterns by 26 runs after losing nine wickets for 100 runs.

New Zealand begin their campaign on Monday night at Bloemfontein, when they take on Sanath Jayasuriya's Sri Lanka.

* The World Cup opening ceremony will screen live on Sky Sport, channels 10 and 12, from 7.30am tomorrow.

The opening game between South Africa and the West Indies is live on Sky Sport, channels 10 and 12, from 1am on Monday.