BRIDGETOWN, April 29: The British government agreed to assist Caribbean organizers in providing a secure cricket World Cup next year, Foreign Minister Jack Straw said on Friday.

Speaking at the end of the United Kingdom-Caribbean Forum, Straw said preparations for the first World Cup in the West Indies were contributing to the overall region's joint security plan with the UK.

Straw added that the UK will support the Caribbean Community's common visa arrangements for the period of the World Cup next March and April, help assist issuing visas in countries where the Caribbean Community is not represented, provide intelligence links with other countries, and possibly provide support for disaster preparations.

The tournament will be spread over Barbados, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana.

The teams participating include defending champions Australia, West Indies, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Ireland, South Africa, Scotland, Holland, Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Bermuda, New Zealand, England, Kenya and Canada.

Organisers believe more than 100,000 visitors, at least a third from the United Kingdom, will come for the tournament.

Meanwhile, cricket spectators in the West Indies who have traditionally enjoyed a glass of rum or bottle of beer while watching the game will have to change their plans from Saturday.—AP