Cricket: England's World Cup reunion

ENGLAND will be reacquainted with this summer's tourists, South Africa and New Zealand, in the 1996 World Cup following yesterday's draw in New Delhi.

The three countries have been placed together in the tournament to be held in Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka. Joining them in Group B are the holders, Pakistan, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates.

The UAE, who are appearing in the tournament for the first time, are one of three associate members of the International Cricket Council who are contesting the one-day tournament along with the nine Test-playing nations. England open against New Zealand on 14 February, but Pakistan's first match against the UAE is not until 10 days later.

Three previous World Cup winners, Australia, West Indies, and India are in Group A. Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Kenya complete the group. Four teams from each group will qualify for the quarter-finals.

Jagmohan Dalmiya, the tournament convenor, confirmed yesterday that the final, on 17 March, would be in Lahore, Pakistan. He also said that venues of the other games would not be finalised until next January.

1996 WORLD CUP Fixtures: 14 Feb: Group B: England v New Zealand (India). 15 Feb: Group B: South Africa v United Arab Emirates (Pakistan). 16 Feb: Group A: West Indies v Zimbabwe (India). 17 Feb: Group A: Sri Lanka v Australia (Sri Lanka); Group B: Netherlands v New Zealand (India). 18 Feb: Group A: India v Kenya (India); Group B: England v UAE (Pakistan). 19 Feb: Rest day. 20 Feb: Group B: South Africa v New Zealand (Pakistan). 21 Feb: Group A: India v West Indies (India); Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe (Sri Lanka). 22 Feb: Group B: England v Netherlands (Pakistan). 23 Feb: Group A: Australia v Kenya (India). 24 Feb: Group B: Pakistan v UAE (Pakistan). 25 Feb: Group A: West Indies v Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka); Group B: South Africa v England (Pakistan). 26 Feb: Group A: Zimbabwe v Kenya (India); Group B: Pakistan v Netherlands (Pakistan). 27 Feb: Group A: India v Australia (India); Group B: New Zealand v UAE (Pakistan). 28 Feb: Rest day. 29 Feb: Group A: West Indies v Kenya (India); Group B: South Africa v Pakistan (Pakistan). 1 Mar: Group A: Australia v Zimbabwe (India); Group B: Netherlands v UAE (Pakistan). 2 Mar: Group A: India v Sri Lanka (India). 3 Mar: Group B: Pakistan v England (Pakistan). 4 Mar: Group A: West Indies v Australia (India). 5 Mar: Group B: South Africa v Netherlands (Pakistan). 6 Mar: Group A: India v Zimbabwe (India); Sri Lanka v Kenya (Sri Lanka); Group B: Pakistan v New Zealand (Pakistan).

Quarter-finals: 9 Mar: A1 v B4 (Pakistan); A3 v B2 (India). 11 Mar: A4 v B1 (Pakistan); A2 v B3 (India).

Semi-finals: 13 and 14 Mar (India).

Final: 17 Mar (Lahore, Pakistan).