ICC CWC 2011 trophy heads to Mumbai
Cricket's greatest prize, the ICC Cricket World Cup, completed the final leg of its global journey in Australia's sporting capital yesterday at Melbourne International Airport. The final stop of its whirlwind visit gave fans the chance to get one last glimpse before it departed on a state-of-the-art Emirates B777-300 last night.
The trophy will touch down in Mumbai today to start the final countdown to the 10th Cricket World Cup, which starts in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka on 19 February.
Thousands of cricket supporters got the chance to enjoy a rare close-up view of the trophy at several public events held across Melbourne over the past weekend, which also coincided with the 40th anniversary of the first-ever ODI.
The trophy and ICC Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat, were welcomed to Melbourne by the Right Hon. Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle, and international cricket legend and world champion, Dean Jones, at a public function at Federation Square's main stage on Sunday. It then made its way to the MCG where more than 1,000 enthusiastic cricket fans lined up to have their photo taken with the trophy prior to the start of the ODI match between Australia and England.
Mr Lorgat said he was delighted with the turnout of Australian fans at the 2011 trophy's appearances across Melbourne.
"It was great to see the excitement among the supporters as we continue the countdown to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. There really was huge interest among the Australia and England fans at the MCG," said Mr Lorgat.
"Of course, the question I was most asked was whether I think Australia can win its fourth consecutive World Cup and my answer was absolutely. You would never count out a team like Australia.
"It won't be easy for them to win it again but it also won't be easy for any other team to wrestle the trophy from Ricky Ponting's grasp. Australia is still one of the teams to beat in my mind, and will face exciting competition from all the teams," said Mr Lorgat.
"In recent months we have seen some truly great Test cricket around the world but now it's time for the one-day format to take centre stage. There is no doubt in my mind that the 50-over game still has plenty to offer and that all three formats of the game have a place at international level. I believe the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 will prove that.
"It is shaping up to be one of the most exciting of all the ICC Cricket World Cups. It is open and unpredictable and promises to be an enthralling Cricket World Cup. The ICC is looking forward to an exciting competition among the 14 teams. I can't wait for the tournament to begin next month," he said.
About the ICC Cricket World Cup
The ICC Cricket World Cup is the showpiece of the international cricket calendar and the game's flagship tournament. The event is organised by the ICC in conjunction with its 105 Members, with preliminary qualification rounds leading up to a finals tournament held every four years. The first Cricket World Cup was held in England in 1975 and it is now the world's third largest sporting event.
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 will be the tenth edition of the tournament and will be hosted jointly by Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka. It will be Bangladesh's first time co-hosting a Cricket World Cup.
The tournament will take place between 19 February and 2 April 2011, with co-hosts India and Bangladesh facing off in the first match of the tournament at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka.
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 is set to be one of the most exciting events in its history, with the new quarter-final format set to create a fascinating finish to the tournament. Fourteen teams will take part in the tournament, with games set to be broadcast to a global audience in over 180 territories and followed by millions on the internet, mobile and other media.
