Top players pledge support for Spirit of Cricket at ICC Champions Trophy

Some of the world's leading players have already backed the International Cricket Council's (ICC) decision to dedicate this year's ICC Champions Trophy to the Spirit of Cricket.

India captain Rahul Dravid: "This is a fantastic idea as The Spirit of Cricket is very important.

"We must all be aware of and conscious of the great traditions that we represent when we take the field and perform in front of the public.

"It is vital that the right spirit is shown by players, officials and supporters so that the ICC Champions Trophy reflects the true spirit of our great game of cricket."

India opening batsman Virender Sehwag: "Cricket is a gentleman's game and it is our responsibility to ensure the youngsters watching us play get inspired by the right things on the field and off it so it is important to play the game in the right spirit.

"If everybody individually takes up the responsibility to play the game in the right spirit, it reflects positively on the entire team.

"The ICC Champions Trophy is a big stage, there will be billions of people watching, and so ten teams playing cricket in the right spirit can only send out the right message."

Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara: "I think it (The Spirit of Cricket) is the reason I play this game.

"When I was young I used to watch all these great cricketers play the game and that is how I developed a passion for it. They were my heroes not just because they were great batsmen or bowlers but because they played the game in the right spirit.

"Those past players were just proud of the fact that they were playing the game in a fiercely competitive yet fair way. They left behind a great legacy - a beautiful game.

"There is a huge following for the game in Asia and around the world for an event of this magnitude, lots of children who like the game and the players, and what they see out there is what they think is the right spirit.

"That is why it is important that, during the ICC Champions Trophy, when the world is watching, everybody should get together and send out a message that while cricket is a tough sport you do not need to have that extra arrogance that makes you an unpleasant competitor.

"So, I think the message that needs to be sent out is to play tough, play to win but play fair. If you play the game in the right spirit you will keep the honour of your country, your team and your game intact when you walk away from the boundary line."

South Africa all-rounder and former captain Shaun Pollock: "Cricket goes back a long way as a gentleman's game and while it always needs to be competitive it is important we still remember that history.

"In the recent past people have sometimes had a go at cricketers for losing the plot and not sticking to the game's true ideals and if dedicating the ICC Champions Trophy to The Spirit of Cricket can help ensure the focus is on those ideals then that is great."

New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond: "The Spirit of Cricket is all encompassing - it is about sportsmanship, enjoyment and love of the game, getting on with other players and respecting your peers.

"Every tournament and every match should be played in that way and, if dedicating the ICC Champions Trophy to The Spirit of Cricket focuses attention on that fact, it has to be good for our sport."

Australia fast bowler Brett Lee: "Playing the game of cricket is one of my real joys in life. I will always give one hundred per cent and even on those long hot days when the pitch is as flat as the Hume Highway it is important that I adhere to the Laws.

"Those Laws are an important part of the game and so is the spirit in which it is played. For me honesty, enjoyment and encouragement are some of the ingredients under which those Laws need to be respected.

"I am right behind the ICC's efforts to promote The Spirit of Cricket. Play hard but always fair!"

West Indies captain Brian Lara: "I think the profile of the game is on the up and the Ashes and the India-Pakistan cricket series are examples of that.

"You are playing for your team but you are also playing for your career, so there is lot at stake.

"But at the same time it is important you play the game in the right spirit - if you know you are out, you should walk."

Other players and officials so far contacted to show their support for the dedication of the ICC Champions Trophy to The Spirit of Cricket have agreed without hesitation.

They include Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar and coach Dav Whatmore, and Prosper Utseya, the Zimbabwe captain, and Kevin Curran, the side's coach.

It is hoped, as the tournament draws nearer, more players and officials will join in.

ICC Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Speed said: "No players or officials from England or Pakistan have yet been approached for their support as they are involved in an ongoing ODI series but the ICC is sure they, too, will back the Spirit of Cricket at the ICC Champions Trophy."

The ICC's decision to promote the Spirit of Cricket has been planned since July as part of the roll-out of the organisation's new Strategic Plan, which runs from 2006 - 2010, he added.

The ICC Champions Trophy takes place at four venues in India - Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Mohali and the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai - between 7 October and 5 November.

The top ten sides in international cricket will take part in 21 matches with a total prize pool of US$1.15 million.