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The Cup's best bowler a quadriplegic

Northampton where world one-day champs Sri Lanka are based for the World Cup is the venue where former West Indies fast bowler Winston Davis lives.

Whenever the World Cup comes Davis is remembered for producing the best figures in the tournament's history when he took 7 for 51 against Australia at Headingley in 1983. He also represented Northamptonshire in the English county championships.

Davis today is a quadriplegic, denied the use of his arms or legs after falling from a tree on his home island at St. Vincent in 1997.

Although money raised has brought him a special vehicle, more funds are required. As a result, some of cricket's greatest figures will play in a benefit match for him on May 23 near Northampton.

Billed to take part in the fund-raising match for Davis are former stars Viv Richards, who comes out of retirement to play his first game since 1992, Dennis Lillee, Mike Gatting, Allan Lamb, Mark Ramprakash and Michael Holding.

Go to the police

So serious are the organisers taking the World Cup that journalists who lose their accredition pass will first have to report it to the nearest police station and obtain a police report number before they can report the loss to the accredition officer.

Even so there is no guarantee that a replacement pass will be issued immediately. The World Cup Media Information and Facilities Guide states, in cases of difficulty, a day pass may be issued until the matter is resolved.

Big and small

The biggest team in the World Cup is Zimbabwe. They have ordered eight extra large (XL) and seven extra extra large (XXL) shirts for their 15-man squad. The smallest team is Bangladesh.

Sky's the limit

Sky Sports who have acquired the televising rights for the 42 World Cup matches, have lined up a commentary team good enough to represent a World XI. It boasts of more than 20 international cricketers and in excess of 100,000 Test runs.

Starting with the presenter and commentator David Gower, the rest of the commentary team comprises Ian Botham, Bob Willis, Michael Holding, Paul Allott, Allan Border, Ian Chappell, Martin Crowe, John Emburey, Graeme Fowler, Sunil Gavaskar, Tony Greig, Ian Healy, David Hookes, Dave Houghton, Robin Jackman, Allan Lamb, Bill Lawry, Mudassar Nazar, Mike Procter, Dav Whatmore, Tony Cozier, and Charles Colville (presenter).

Young and old

The oldest player taking part in the World Cup will be Scotland's Iain Philip whose 42nd birthday is on June 9. The youngest is Shahid Afridi of Pakistan who turned 19 on March 1.

The genuine ones

Journalists covering the World Cup have been priority listed for passes because press facilities at the majority of the 21 venues are extremely limited due to space restrictions.

Lord's the venue for the opening match and the final, has the largest facility with 225 press box desks and 200 overspill seats. The minimum facility is at Derby where there are only 20 press box desks and 20 overspill seats.

There are 19 priorities for organisations. The main ones are: 1. International News Agencies, 2. National News Agencies from the two competing countries, 3. National Daily Newspapers from the two competing countries, 4. National News Agencies from other countries, 5. National Daily Newspapers from other countries, 6. National Sunday Newspapers rom the two competing countries, 7. National Sunday Newspapers from other countries, 8. Cricket specialist Magazines from the two competing countries, 9. Cricket specialist Magazines from other countries.

The second priority considered is the Nationality of the journalist and the third, is his order of rank within the organisation : 1. The Cricket Correspondent, 2. Cricket Writer, 3. Sports Feature Writer, 4. Sports News Writer, 5. Feature Writer, 6. News Writer, 7. Freelance, and 8. Other.

The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka could take a cue from this and ensure that only the genuine cricket journalists are allowed into the vicinity of the press box.

Grass cutter

During the six weeks of the World Cup competition a total of 75 tonnes of grass will be mown at the 21 venues. And it will take more than 2,500 man hours to keep the outfields in good nick. End of BBC

The World Cup tournament will signal the end of the BBC's cricket coverage - before they hand over to Channel 4 and Sky. BBC and Sky between them will produce 336 hours of match broadcasts, using 160 miles of cable and eight mobile studios during the World Cup.