ICC Cricket World Cup 2011: Sri Lanka, West Indies batting first

THE BIGGEST cricketing event, the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 is one week to go but the warm-up matches are starting from today, February 12. Millions of Cricket fans are keeping a close eye on these matches as these will reveal the status of their preparation. On the first day of the warm-up match schedule, five matches are going to be held today.
In the first warm-up match on Saturday at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, West Indies have to play against Kenya. During the 1996 Cricket World Cup in Pune, Kenya shocked two-time World Cup champions West Indies by 73 runs in a group match despite scored 166 runs after being put in to bat. According to the latest news Kenya won the toss and elected to field.
Host Sri Lanka is taking on Netherlands at Singhalese Sports Club in Colombo. Sri Lanka is one of the strongest contenders of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. In 2006 ODI series between Sri Lanka and Netherlands, Sri Lanka won both the matches. According to the latest news, Sri Lanka has won the toss and elected to bat first. Opener Upul Tharanga lost his wicket for 47 runs.
In the third warm-up match on Saturday, February 12 at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, two African test playing nations, South Africa and Zimbabwe will clash with each other. In the last three ODIs between these two countries, South Africa won all the three matches.
New Zealand will take on Ireland at Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground in Nagpur in the fourth warm-up match on February 12. In the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 in West Indies, New Zealand thrashed Ireland by a huge margin of 129 runs in a Super Eights match.
The fifth warm-up match between Bangladesh and Canada will be played at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong. Bangladesh is the co-host of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, whereas Canada is the qualifier team of the tournament.