Asia gearing up to welcome the world

With exactly one year to go before the first ball in bowled in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Asia is gearing up to deliver another world-class tournament which will be participated by the best of the best in nation-versus-nation contest.

Today also happens to feature an ODI involving four-time world champion Australia against two-time former champion West Indies in Melbourne. Looking forward to the event, ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat has one wish that the event be as successful as the previous events that provides the diehard fans in the subcontinent to watch their stars at the peak of their careers in action in one of the most challenging events.

"These are exciting times for the ICC as now just 365 days remain until the start of our flagship event, the ICC Cricket World Cup.

"Given the passion the subcontinent has for our great sport and the tremendous commitment shown so far by the boards and people of the region, everyone is even more thrilled and convinced that it will be another successful World Cup like the previous ones held in the region, in 1987 and 1996.

"In the past 12 months, I believe we have made excellent progress with our preparations. Last year in Mumbai, we unveiled the event logo and announced the match schedule while at the beginning of this year in Dhaka we launched the Bangladesh element of the World Cup. In April in Colombo, we will launch the ticket sales.

"The ICC Cricket World Cup is the flagship multi-team event of our great sport and every player wants to be on the winning team. Those who have already won it want to win it again while those who have not tasted success so far, are desperate to get their hands on the trophy at least once in their careers.

"The ICC Cricket World Cup is the game?s biggest and greatest showcase and it is also the event that generates the majority of the revenue used by our Members to grow our global game.

"The tournament is a chance for fans around the world especially in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to watch the best players on the planet at the peak of their powers. I believe it will be one of the great sporting occasions of our time."

Tournament director Prof. Ratnakar Shetty, looking ahead to the event, said: "The preparations for the tournament are progressing nicely and we just can?t wait to start welcoming the world.

"The interest in the subcontinent is gaining momentum with the followers of the game anxiously waiting for the quadrennial event to start as it will provide them with an opportunity to watch live the world?s greatest cricketers in one tournament fighting hard for the biggest prize in the sport.

"A lot of energy, effort and investment is being pumped into improving the infrastructure in the three countries which is aimed at making the stadia better for players, spectators and the media. This will ensure that the subcontinent once again delivers an outstanding event like it did it in 1987 and 1996.

"All three co-hosts are fully geared to host the event and I am sure this World Cup will showcase top quality cricket and also will provide an opportunity to the tourists to enjoy the rich heritage of the host countries."