Cricket: Black Caps third-seeds for World Cup

New Zealand should be guaranteed at least a quarter-final or group 8 spot at the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies.

The Black Caps are third-seeds and will play their pool three matches in St Lucia against England, Kenya and Canada.

They plays their first match against England on March 16 while defending champions and top seeds Australia meet Scotland on March 14 in St Kitts and Nevis.

The West Indies and Pakistan kick the tournament off a day earlier at the newly renovated Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, while the final will take place on April 28 in Barbados.

The event mascot is a teenage character called "Mello" who apparently embodies the "lifestyle" of the region.

Australia and Scotland are joined in Pool 1 by fifth-seeded South Africa and the Netherlands.

Zimbabwe and Ireland play alongside sixth-seeded West Indies and fourth seeds Pakistan in Pool 4.

Second-seeded Sri Lanka, number eight seeds India, Bangladesh and Bermuda contest Pool 2 in Trinidad and Tobago.



The first two teams in each pool go through to the second-round Super Eight series where each side plays six matches.

The semi-finals will be held in Jamaica and St Lucia before the final takes place in Barbados on April 28.

- NEWSTALK ZB, REUTERS