The Cricket World Cup begins tomorrow (Friday), when England play the first match in the competition against current champions, Sri Lanka at Lord's.

12 nations are competing and there will have been a total of 42 matches played at different venues by the time the newly crowned champions are decided.

England have staged the World Cup finals on three previous occasions, the inaugural staging in 1975, then four years later and then in 1983 but have yet to win the competition although they were runners-up in 1979, 1987 and 1992.

Chelmsford are staging two of the World Cup matches and the first of these is next Monday, May 17 when Bangladesh meet New Zealand.

Then on Saturday, May 29, South Africa play Zimbabwe.

While delighted to have been asked to stage the matches, there has been much hard work required by the county's administration and ground staff to ensure the smooth running of the two days.

Essex CCC's Assistant secretary, Malcolm Field, said, "We were pleased that we had the opportunity to stage the two warm-up games. As a dress rehearsal for the World Cup matches, we have to be delighted with the way things went.

''It has taken tremendous organisation and we have had a management committee in place for some while to co-ordinate everything and things have gone splendidly.

''We sold the last ticket for Sunday's match between England and Essex just as the first ball was being bowled. There was a capacity crowd and we were delighted how well things went."

South Africa and Australia are the bookmakers favourites for the competition and also figure in the tips offered by a number of Essex players.

Ashley Cowan considers those two countries are likely to contest the final reasoning: "Australia have the most balanced line-up, they are a superb all round side.

"They know the conditions over here and look worthy favourites. South Africa can be susceptible to the swinging ball but they again look to have an ideal squad capable of winning the competition. ''India or Pakistan are the two countries most likely to win a place if the two favourites don't make the final."

Stephen Peters, who was a member of England's successful World Youth Cup squad last year also votes for South Africa and Australia, but said: "South Africa will clinch the trophy".

Paul Grayson plumps for South Africa but rates Pakistan as, "having a good chance of reaching the final," a view endorsed by paceman, Mark Ilott who states, "I would lean towards South Africa if I had to make a choice because of their strength in every department."

The final will be played at Lord's on Sunday, June 20.

Picture, top: Nasser Hussain, who scored an excellent 82 in Essex's World Cup warm-up match against England at the County Ground on Sunday.

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