Johannesburg, Mar 20: Cricket's World Cup final will go ahead as planned here on Sunday despite the opening of hostilities in Iraq, a tournament spokesman said today. However, the match will take place against a background of heightened security with more police on duty at the game, which takes place at the Wanderers ground here. "Everything is on track and the final goes ahead as planned," said Rodney Hartman, the World Cup Organising Committe's communications director.
"There are no plans to change the schedule but the match will take place with a heightened security awareness," he said. Both the final, as well as the remaining semi-final later in the day in Durban between India and Kenya, will see more South African Police on duty.
However, there are no plans yet to post soldiers at the two venues. The winners of today's day-night semi-final will face defending champions Australia in Sunday's final.
Bureau Report