West Indies became the second team to qualify for the Super Eights stage of Cricket World Cup 2007 after completing a hard-fought six-wicket victory over Zimbabwe at Sabina Park yesterday.

Less than a day after his team's elimination from the ICC Cricket World Cup following a shocking loss to Ireland, Pakistan's coach Bob Woolmer was pronounced dead at hospital after being found unconscious in his hotel room in Kingston by hotel attendants.

In each of the first two World Cups, the West Indies beat Pakistan. Each time they went on to lift the trophy. As the ninth edition of cricket's showpiece opened yesterday, the Windies bested Pakistan again. This time the margin of victory was 54 runs.

"What an honour," said Brian Lara, the West Indies captain when he stepped forward to utter the Players' Declaration at the ceremonial opening of this ICC Cricket World Cup at the Trelawny Stadium on Sunday evening.

The ICC Cricket World Cup opened yesterday amidst fanfare, pageantry and splendour as the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium, Daniel Town, Jamaica, kick-started one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events.

West Indies crashed to an embarrassing nine-wicket defeat to India after a stunning batting collapse in their Cricket World Cup (CWC) warm-up match at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium yesterday.

The West Indies team, after a sparkling tournament, rolled over and played dead on Sunday, and in the process handed the championship to Australia.

West Indies opener Chris Gayle says the regional side has "unfinished business" to settle with Australia, when the two teams meet in the ICC Champions Trophy final tomorrow.

Chris Gayle smashed his 15th ODI century as West Indies booked their place in the ICC Champions Trophy final with a comfortable four-wicket drubbing of South Africa at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium yesterday.

Ramnaresh Sarwan, who led the West Indies in the second half of their thrilling victory against Australia after Brian Lara could not take the field due to back spasms, was understandably overjoyed when he spoke to the press at the end of the match.