Durban
[ city and venue guide ]

Hosted Countries:

• India

Matches:

• Bangladesh v Canada
• England v India
• Kenya v Canada
• South Africa v Sri Lanka
• One Super Six match
• One Semi-Final

Ground:

• Kingsmead

Demographics:

• Sea level
• Founded in 1497 by Vasco da Gama, named in 1835
• Most speak English

Climate:

The Durban area enjoys a temperate, sub-tropical climate with warm to hot and humid summers and mild winters along the coast. Midday temperatures generally hover around 20 to 25 degrees centigrade. Inland temperatures are generally mild but cooler at night.

The South Coast is a summer rainfall area with prolonged spells of light rain from November through to March. However rain clouds never obscure the sun for too long and the sun shines all year round.

Winter weather is beautiful with endless still, sunny days, and calm seas for swimming, diving, fishing or surfing.

Sea temperatures hover around the low 20s and seldom drop below 19 degrees centigrade

General:

Durban, the holiday destination of about six million people yearly, is the center of South Africa's seaside playground in the sun The meeting of the warm Indian Ocean, radiant golden sands and lush sub-tropical greenery beckons visitors to this sublime paradise year in and year out.

Durban Metro, a modern city, is where the proud Zulu nation meets East and West...a wealth of influences to entertain and enthrall with traditional warrior dancers, mystic fire-walkers and colonial heritage. Sample the unique vibrancy of township life, the finest curries outside India and a calendar filled with thrilling, spectacular events.

Durban, by reason of excellent weather all year round, is sports-crazy and equipped for it...hosting countless international contests at our magnificent venues - including the beach. While estate golf inland features high on the list of courses that abound, you can also tee off alongside the ocean or pause on the green as the field thunders by on race day. Speaking of which, we host two of our country's premier horseracing draw- cards...but should you not fancy their odds, there are always the slot- machines and gaming tables of our Sugar Mill casino!

Sophisticated and cosmopolitan, Durban Metro after dark is abuzz with elegant lounges, funky taverns and cosy inns...distinctive local theatre and live music...trendy clubs, pubs and discos. Rave 'till dawn and catch sunrise over the vast Indian Ocean horizon - this is nightlife in a modern, authentic African metropolis!

From your luxury hotel, self-catering apartment or back- packers' lodge, all the delights of our 'mega-city' are linked by efficient transport services...the same network that connects you with the star attractions a little further afield. No less than two World Heritage Sites wait among the majestic Berg, teeming Bush, endless Beach and monumental Battlefields that lie within your easy reach.

Entertainment:

• Numerous restaurants and nightclubs
• Casino, Cinemas, Theaters, and Art Galleries
• Craft markets, Zoo, Snake Park, Nature Reserves, and Museums
• Golf, Big Game Fishing, Hiking Trails.
• Beaches, Swimming, Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
• Organized touring operators
• City
• Boat Charters
• Valley of a 1000 hills
• Helicopter flights
• The Old Fort

Durban is also 45 minutes from Pietermaritzburg (The Oval), and Durban International Airport is in easy access of the city and links with regular flights to all the major venues of the World Cup.

More information can be found at http://durban.kzn.org.za/durban/

Kingsmead:

Capacity at the ground is around 25 000 including suites.

Home of KwaZulu-Natal Cricket and the fourth venue to be used as a test ground in South Africa (the others being St.George's Park, Newlands and the Wanderers).

Kingsmead is a ground where many a great test has been played (including the Timeless test).

A good cricket wicket, favouring both batsmen and bowlers. It is normally a firm true wicket in the heart of Durban. Conditions favour swing bowling and rumour has it that when the tide comes in at the coast and the water table under the pitch rises additional moisture assists the ball in swinging. This has never been substantiated, but many past Natal captains believe that it is true.

From its early grass embankment seating plan Kingsmead now boasts stands, north, south and west stands are covered, all around the ground, except for a small portion of grass at the famous Castle Corner at the south/west end. Many a humorous day can be spent in this area.

At the moment the main north pavilion has two levels - the first level housing the offices of amateur cricket, development cricket and the Durban and District Cricket Union, plus the members' and players' dining-room and an annex where media conferences are held. On the second level is the media - print and television - scorers and the VIP lounges.

The new-look Kingsmead, which will be ready for the coming World Cup, will have three levels. The VIP lounge will move to the new top level to accommodate 250 guests as compared with the 110 people it holds presently.

The media centre was previously home to just over 65 journalists and will now occupy the old VIP lounge, increasing the capacity to 380 journalist in one of the most technically advanced press facilities available.

Media will also take up the seats previously occupied by the VIPs on the main grandstand.

Another change to the famous ground includes bigger and more sophisticated change-rooms for the players and match officials. In the new plans players will have their own dining-room as well - above the change-rooms on the third level.

With security being a priority of the World Cup organising committee, the union has also commissioned the construction of a "venue operation centre" to house security personnel and monitors for crowd control. And a new medical room will be built alongside the VIP lounge for emergencies.