THIS WILL BE THE FIRST WORLD CUP...
... not using a brand name as part of the official name of the trophy.

... in which a former World Cup captain will wear an umpire's hat -- S. Venkataraghavan.

... without Javed Miandad as a player.

... for Scotland and Bangladesh.

... during which there will be continuous score update on the Internet.

... with matches spread over four countries -- England, Scotland, Ireland and Holland. Amstelveen in Holland will host the match between South Africa and Kenya.

... without Dickie Bird as umpire.

CAPPED BY TWO COUNTRIES
As a teenager Graeme Hick was in the 1983 Zimbabwean squad, which makes him the seniormost World Cupper this year. He also represented England in 1992 and 1996.

HOW THE 1999 STARS REMEMBER INDIA'S 1983 CUP WIN
"I was barely 10 plus then, so I don't remember too much. My elder brother Ajit followed it keenly on TV and after India achieved the impossible the residents of our colony came out on the street to celebrate."
- Sachin Tendulkar

"I still remember Amarnath getting Holding LBW and the tears in my eyes."
-Anil Kumble

"I idolised Kapil paaji from my childhood. To me he was the hero of our World Cup win."
-Ajay Jadeja

"I didn't miss a single ball and from the start I believed India would win."
-Javagal Srinath

WHEN THEY'RE NOT PLAYING WHAT THE STARS WILL BE LISTENING TO
Shane Warne -- Bruce Springsteen, INXS
Inzamam-ul-Haq -- Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Courtney Walsh -- Bob Marley, Buju Banton
Allan Donald -- UB40, Paul Simon
Sachin Tendulkar -- Dire Straits, Eric Clapton, Kishore Kumar

FATHERS AND SONS AT THE WORLD CUP
Donald Pringle played for East Africa in 1975 while son Derek turned out for England in 1987 and 1992. Lance Cairns played for New Zealand in 1979 and 1983. Son Chris will play his third consecutive World Cup this year.

POP XI FOR WORLD CUP: A celebrity match will be held in May in London featuring rock stars Robbie Williams, Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, Elton John and veteran actor Peter O'Toole.