Bmda: Battling the U.S. to hosting Cricket World Cup

Bermuda's dream of hosting Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2007 matches has come down to a straight fight with the USA.

The two countries were the only associate members in the region submitting bids by last Thursday's deadline and, with a small percentage of World Cup matches to be held outside the Caribbean, it's clear just one of them can possibly emerge triumphant on July 4.

The odds have increased for either prospective venue as a result of The Bahamas - the other associate member initially in the running - not bidding for World Cup matches but just how much better their chances are is anybody's guess.

“Yes, I think it increases our prospects of getting matches but whether we are going to, that's something which is out of our hands,” said Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) president Reggie Pearman, adding that he knew nothing about the USA's bid.

“There was a rumour that The Bahamas and the USA were trying to do something together - a combined bid - but I guess that didn't materialise.”

Eleven countries are battling for a share of cricket's greatest showpiece - Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Bermuda, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago and the USA - and a minimum of eight cricket stadia are required to stage the sporting spectacle.

Now, why would anybody want the Cricket World Cup to go to the U.S., especially in light of how INS has been treating Caribbean people as though they were major terrorists -- which, because of political correctness, does not happen to the Saudis or other Arabs? Let the Cricket World Cup go to the Caribbean where the passion for it is real and powerful.