Healy heads indoors for World Cup
Australia legend Ian Healy was today named as an ambassador for the Indoor Cricket World Cup ahead of the tournament's opening on Saturday.
315 players spread across 21 teams from six countries will make the trip to Brisbane for the tri-annual event, while an estimated 1000 family, friends and spectators will travel to the event. The event is the first Indoor Cricket World Cup since Indoor Cricket became integrated into Cricket Australia's activities and the first Indoor Cricket World Cup held in Australia since 1998. The event contains 5 divisions, open men, open women, 19 and under men, 19 and under women and 16 and under boys.
Healy today tested his batting skills at the indoor variety of the game as he met the captains of the Australian men's and women's teams; Troy Gurski and Jude Coleman. Coleman demonstrates the potential crossover between indoor and outdoor cricket, being a member of the Queensland Fire in the WNCL.
Healy, who will host Saturday's opening ceremony at the Gabba, also met the husband and wife team of Lyle and Katrina Teske who will compete in the senior men's and women's teams respectively, while the legendary wicketkeeper plans to be a regular spectator at the Brisbane West Indoor Centre.
"I'm looking forward to being a big part of the Indoor Cricket World Cup. The indoor version of the game is high paced and skilful and I urge all cricket fans in Brisbane to head along to the Brisbane West Indoor Centre and cheer on the Aussies," Healy said.
Teams from England, South Africa, New Zealand, Wales and Sri Lanka will attempt to wrest all titles from the defending champion Australian teams, with the first game scheduled for Sunday 11 October leading to the final on Saturday 17 October..
Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland looks forward to the first Indoor Cricket World Cup to be hosted by Cricket Australia:
"Since the integration of indoor cricket into Cricket Australia's activities in February this year, Indoor Cricket has become an integral part of the broader Australian cricket family. Over the course of this year, the planning for this event has gained momentum and Cricket Australia is both honoured and excited to be hosting this year's World Cup event," Sutherland said.
Chairman of the World Indoor Cricket Federation Greg Donnelly is delighted that the flagship event of World Indoor Cricket is back in Australia:
"It's been 11 years, almost to the day, from when Australian last hosted this world event at the Glasshouse in Melbourne, " Donnelly said.
"We are thrilled to have this event back in Brisbane at one of the world's best indoor cricket venues and I'm sure that Brisbane and Australian crowds will get behind the event and the Australian Teams who are the defending World Champions."