World Cup 2011 Schedule & Timetable releases

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 will be held by in the sub-continent South Asian countries: India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai will be hosting the final of the Cricket World Cup 2011.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 shedule has been released and the mega event will be held from the 19th of February to the 2nd of April in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

The first match of ICC World Cup 2011 begings between India vs Bangladesh on Feb 19, 2011 onwards.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Teams:
Group A – Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Canada and Kenya.
Group B – India, South Africa, England, Bangladesh, West Indies, Netherlands and Ireland.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Schedule or Timetable:

1. 19 February (14.00) – India vs Bangladesh – Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium, Dhaka

2. 20 February (09.30) – New Zealand vs Kenya – M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

3. 20 February (14.30) – Sri Lanka vs Canada – Hambantota International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota

4. 21 February (14.00) – Australia vs Zimbabwe – Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad

5. 22 February (14.30) – England vs Netherlands – Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur

6. 23 February (14.30) – Pakistan vs Kenya – Hambantota International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota

7. 24 February (14.30) – South Africa vs West Indies – Feroz Shah Kotla, New Delhi

8. 25 February (14.30) – Australia vs New Zealand – Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur

9. 25 February (09.30) – Bangladesh vs Ireland – Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium, Dhaka

10. 26 February (14.30) – Sri Lanka vs Pakistan – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

11. 27 February (14.30) – India vs England – Eden Gardens, Kolkata

12. 28 February (14.30) – West Indies vs Netherlands – Feroz Shah Kotla, New Delhi

13. 28 February (09.30) – Zimbabwe vs Canada – Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur

14. 01 March (14.30) – Sri Lanka vs Kenya – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

15. 02 March (14.30) – England vs Ireland – M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

16. 03 March (09.30) – South Africa vs Netherlands – Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali

17. 03 March (14.30) – Pakistan vs Canada – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

18. 04 March (09.30) – New Zealand vs Zimbabwe – Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad

19. 04 March (14.30) – Bangladesh vs West Indies – Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium, Dhaka

20. 05 March (14.30) – Sri Lanka vs Australia – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

21. 06 March (14.30) – India vs Ireland – M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

22. 06 March (09.30) – England vs South Africa – M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

23. 07 March (14.30) – Kenya vs Canada – Feroz Shah Kotla, New Delhi

24. 08 March (14.30) – Pakistan vs New Zealand – Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy

25. 09 March (14.30) – India vs Netherlands – Feroz Shah Kotla, New Delhi

26. 10 March (14.30) – Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe – Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy

27. 11 March (09.30) – West Indies vs Ireland – Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali

28. 11 March (14.30) – Bangladesh vs England – Chittagong Divisional Stadium, Chittagong

29. 12 March (14.30) – India vs South Africa – Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur

30. 13 March (09.30) – New Zealand vs Canada – Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

31. 13 March (14.30) – Australia vs Kenya – M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

32. 14 March (14.30) – Pakistan vs Zimbabwe – Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy

33. 14 March (14.30) – Bangladesh vs Netherlands – Chittagong Divisional Stadium, Chittagong

34. 15 March (14.30) – South Africa vs Ireland – Eden Gardens, Kolkata

35. 16 March (14.30) – Australia vs Canada – M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

36. 17 March (14.30) – England vs West Indies – M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

37. 18 March (14.30) – Sri Lanka vs New Zealand – Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

38. 18 March (09.30) – Ireland vs Netherlands – Eden Gardens, Kolkata

39. 19 March (14.30) – Australia vs Pakistan – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

40. 19 March (09.30) – Bangladesh vs South Africa – Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium, Dhaka

41. 20 March (09:30) – Zimbabwe vs Kenya – Eden Gardens, Kolkata

42. 20 March (14.30) – India vs West Indies – M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

43. 23 March (14.30) – First Quarterfinal (Group A1 vs Group B4) – Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium, Dhaka

44. 24 March (14.30) – Second Quarterfinal (Group A2 vs Group B3) – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

45. 25 March (14.30) – Third Quarterfinal (Group A3 vs Group B2) – Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium, Dhaka

46. 26 March (14.30) – Fourth Quarterfinal (Group A4 vs Group B1) – Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad

47. 29 March (14.30) – First Semifinal (Winner of Match 43 vs Winner of Match 45) – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

48. 30 March (14.30) – Second Semifinal (Winner of Match 44 vs Winner of Match 46) – Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali

49. 02 April (14.30) – Final (Winner of Match 47 vs Winner of Match 48) – Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

The Pepsi World Cup Commercial

India captain Mahender Singh Dhoni is known as much for his changing hairstyles as for his batting exploits on the field. In the run-up to the ICC cricket World Cup 2011, starting next month, it’s the latter that cola company Pepsi Co has focused on for its latest commercial.

Dhoni’s knack of whacking the ball in a wild circular lob — known as the helicopter shot in cricketing circles — is the focus of Pepsi Co India’s latest commercial campaign, with the theme, ‘Change the Game’. “We wanted to focus on the unconventional side of a game that has changed dramatically over the past decade. It also reflects the irreverence of today’s youth and helps in setting the tone and tenor of the game,” remarks Agnello Dias, chairman and co-founder of TapRoot India, the creative agency behind the Pepsi World Cup television commercial campaigns.

In the 40-second TVC, which hit the screens yesterday, Dhoni is shown learning to play the ‘helicopter shot’ on a hay cutter in a village. After he perfects the technique with the help of a villager, he is shown unleashing the same shot in a one-day match against the England cricket team. “Dhoni’s mannerisms on the pitch are synonymous with the current transition in cricket,” adds Dias. Since Pepsi Co is among the official global sponsors of the World Cup, they have planned five commercials with other players, including Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag and Suresh Raina. “It will be a phased roll-out of the commercials,” says Dias.

Hastings in Australia's World Cup squad, Siddle dropped Read more: Hastings in Australia's World Cup squad, Siddle dropped

SYDNEY: Fast bowler Peter Siddle was excluded while inexperienced all-rounder John Hastings found a berth in Australia's 15-man World Cup squad that was announced on Tuesday.

Skipper Ricky Ponting and veteran Michael Hussey were named in the squad despite injuries. Ponting is recovering from a finger fracture while Hussey suffered a serious hamstring injury on Sunday. Hussey will have his rehabilitation programme determined in the next 24 hours but faces a race against the clock to be fit for Australia's World Cup defence.

Siddle and Tasmanian spinner Xavier Doherty were the hard luck stories on Tuesday morning.

Hastings, who has played two games for Australia, has been drafted in to provide all-round cover for Shane Watson.

National Selection Panel (NSP) chairman Andrew Hilditch said that Hasting's versatility edged him ahead of Siddle, Australia's most consistent bowler during the Ashes, and Doherty, the country's best performing slow bowler in domestic 50-over cricket in recent seasons.

"Victorian John Hastings has been selected as he adds variety to our bowling options. We feel his bowling is well suited to subcontinent conditions and his all-round skills with bat and ball add to the flexibility of the squad," said Hildtich.

Injury prone fast bowler Brett Lee also made the final cut after his impressive comeback to ODI cricket last Sunday and will lead Australia's pace attack on the subcontinent.

Shaun Tait will tour despite missing Australia's last match due to back stiffness, while left-arm pair Doug Bollinger and Mitchell Johnson were also picked despite wayward performances in Melbourne. Tim Paine has been named as wicketkeeper Brad Haddin's understudy while also providing support for the top order.

Hilditch said: "One of the major decisions to be made in this squad was ensuring the balance was right in the squad to provide the best cover for all positions in the event of injury, illness or form issues that may arise. It includes the experience of Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Brett Lee, and also some young talent like Steve Smith.

"Shaun Tait, Shane Watson, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson and Brad Haddin were all also part of the victorious 2007 ICC cricket World Cup squad that went unbeaten in the Caribbean, so there is plenty of character in this group of Australian cricketers."

Hilditch said Hauritz is the preferred spin option and his one-day record in India is excellent.

"He will be an important part of our bid for this fourth World Cup. Doug Bollinger has also been a strong performer for us in one-day cricket in India in recent times and we expect him to have a big impact on the tournament. David Hussey has been selected on the back of years of excellent interstate performances in all forms of the game and we feel he will play a crucial role for us in sub-continental conditions and also has the ability to bowl important overs for Australia. Fellow Victorian Cameron White is very important to us in the middle order and he has the ability to dominate with bat.

"Tim Paine richly deserves his selection as he provides a second wicket-keeping option and is also an excellent option for any top order batting position," he said.

Squad:

Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke (vice-captain), Doug Bollinger, Brad Haddin, John Hastings, Nathan Hauritz, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Tim Paine, Steve Smith, Shaun Tait, Shane Watson, Cameron White.

Indian squad for ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 announced

THE BOARD of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) today announced the 15-man final squad for the world's biggest cricketing event ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. Chief selector of BCCI selection committee, Kris Srikkanth and the three other members of the committee picked the team in Chennai this afternoon. MS Dhoni has retained his position as the captain and Virender Sehwag was selected as vice captain.

In the 15-man squad of team India for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, the surprising entrant in the team is abandoned spinner Piyush Chawla. However, young batsman Rohit Sharma and pacer S. Sreesanth missed the train. Selectors have picked eight batsmen, four fast bowlers and three spinners.

The Indian team for the World Cup Cricket 2011 tournament includes MS Dhoni (capt), Virender Sehwag(vice capt), Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, R. Ashwin, Piyush Chawla, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel and Praveen Kumar.

Master blaster and legend of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar will be playing his sixth world cup and will equal the record of former Pakistani captain and batsman Javed Miandad. Miandad has played all the world cups from 1975 to 1996.

India, one of the top contenders of Cricket World Cup 2011 is placed in group 'B' with South Africa, England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Netherlands and Ireland. During the 43 days long event, a total of 49 matches including semi finals and final matches will be played in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

The 10th edition of the World Cup Cricket is going to start from February 19 at Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium in Dhaka whereas the final will be played at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 2.

Three spinners in India's World Cup squad, Rohit Sharma dropped

India included three spinners and dropped Rohit Sharma in their final 15-member squad for the ICC cricket World Cup selected by the five-member selection panel led by K Srikanth in Chennai on Monday.

The list of 30 probables were pruned to half and no big star is left out of the final squad for the mega-event starting February 19.

The top-seven of the Indian batting-order -- Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni -- are in the team as expected and Yusuf Pathan take the all-rounder's berth.

The inspirational Zaheer Khan lead the pace attack and his pacer partners will be the trio of Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel and Praveen Kumar. S Sreesanth and Ishant Sharma failed to make the cut.

Harbhajan Singh will spearhead the slow bowling department with Piyush Chawla and R Ashwin as his spin partner. Amit Mishra and Pragyan Ojha were also vying for the slot.

Just a day before the selection meeting, doubts have arisen over Sachin Tendulkar's availability after he pulled out of the remainder of the ODI series in South Africa as a precautionary measure after sustaining a hamstring injury during Saturday's second match.

But going by indications, the injury is not serious and Tendulkar will be making his sixth World Cup appearance.

Squad

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt/wk), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel, Praveen Kumar, Yusuf Pathan, Piyush Chawla, R Ashwin, Ashish Nehra.

Selectors to pick team India for World Cup Cricket 2011 today

THE CHAIRMAN of the national cricket selection committee, K Srikanth and the three other members of the committee have arrived Chennai to pick the final squad for the biggest cricketing event, ICC World Cup Cricket 2011. The national selectors will select the 15-member Team India out of 30 probables. BCCI announced a 30-man preliminary squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 on December 18.
According to ICC, all the participating nations will have to announce the final squad of 15 players by the 19th of January. The 43 days long Cricket World Cup is going to start from February 19 at Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium in Dhaka between India and Bangladesh.
According to the sources, selectors will select eight to nine batsmen and one extra wicketkeeper. Mahendra Singh Dhoni will lead the Team India in the World Cup 2011. Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh and Virat Kohli are sure to get the berth in World Cup side.
As far as second wicketkeeper is concerned, the fight is between Parthiv Patel and Dinesh Karthik. Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel, S Sreesanth, Praveen Kumar, R Vinay Kumar and Ishant Sharma will vie in the pace department. Pragyan Ojha, Amit Mishra, R Ashwin and Piyush Chawla will contest in the spin department.

PSU insurers in talks with ICC for WC insurance cover

New Delhi: Eyeing a multi-crore deal, four state-run insurers, besides General Insurance Corporation are in talks with ICC for insuring the cricket World Cup 2011 commencing on 19 February.

India will host 27 matches at eight venues, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Punjab, Gujarat and Nagpur.

The state-owned re-insurance firm General Insurance Corporation (GIC) and the four PSU general insurance companies , United India Insurance, New India Assurance, Oriental Insurance and National Insurance would insure the one and a half month long event.

“The General Insurance Corporation is finalising the insurance cover for the one and half month long cricketing event. It all depends on the total cost involved in hosting the games and the sum would be decided soon,” United India Insurance chairman and managing director G Srinivasan said.

The 2011 World Cup would begin on 19 February and end on 2 April. The broadcasting rights for the international sporting event is with ESPN and the telecaster has reportedly asked for a cover of over Rs. 500 crore.

He said the insurers would provide cover broadly to organisers of the event and media telecaster.

“Insurance cover would be to organisers in the event of cancellation and also to media for revenue loss arising out of loss of advertisement in telecasting the games,” Srinivasan said.

The insurance cover would compensate for any loss arising from cancellation due to a natural calamity, like earthquake, floods or riot, and terror attacks.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) cricket World Cup is the showpiece event of the cricketing calendar and takes place every four years, with matches contested in a 50 overs per side format.

Apart from India two other Asian countries, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka would together host a total of 49 matches of the World Cup.