Victoria batting for 2015 World Cup final at MCG

NEW DELHI: Premier of Victoria state of Australia Ted Baillieu on Wednesday announced that his government will be working hard to secure the 2015 Cricket World Cup final for the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Baillieu said Melbourne was the sporting and cultural capital of Australia and had in the past been voted both the World's Most Liveable City and the Ultimate Sports City.

"The MCG is one of the finest cricket grounds in the world and the only ground in Australia with the capacity to host a final of such monumental proportions, so Melbourne is the natural choice to host the 2015 ICC World Cup Final," said Baillieu, who is here for the Super Trade Mission to India.

Baillieu said the Victorian Government would work together with the Victorian Major Events Company, Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria to get the final staged at the sprawling venue.

The World Cup is the fourth-largest international sporting event, with 14 nations participating and an estimated television audience of 953 million people. The 2015 edition will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

The announcement followed an informal game of cricket with children, who were joined by legends including former India captain Kapil Dev, former Australia batsman Dean Jones and Cricket Victoria CEO Tony Dodemaide.

Baillieu said Victoria and India shared a great passion and excitement for cricket.

"I am delighted to see Victorian expertise helping to build cultural and trade partnerships in India through cricket, highlighting Cricket Victoria's Sports Business Program.

"The programme is a great initiative, where participants develop skills in a range of sports-related fields, including administration and training, marketing and major events management.

"In May, 20 Indian students will take part in an upcoming pilot program in Melbourne, where I am certain they will gain valuable skills and experience.

"Programmes such as this are invaluable in developing and strengthening cricket infrastructure in India, and play an important part in building educational links and partnerships between Victoria and India," Baillieu added.

League To Determine 2015 World Cup Qualifiers

The International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executives' Committee (CEC) has adopted a proposal from the ICC Development Committee to introduce a 50-over league to determine qualification for the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.

The top two teams in the league will qualiify automatically for the finals while the remaining two qualifiers will be decided at a qualifying tournament which will include the remaining teams and the teams finishing third and fourth in World Cricket League Division Two.

"This will provide exciting context for the new 50-over League with every one of the Associate and Affiliate teams able to make their way from Division eight of the Pepsi World Cricket League all the way to the ICC Cricket World Cup finals," ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said.

The CEC also supports the need to improve over-rates and eliminate unnecessary delays during the game, Lorgat adding:

"The concern about over rates remain in Test match cricket and Match Officials, in conjunction with team managers and captains, should take appropriate steps to improve the over rates.

"It is something within our control and must be addressed. Stadia management will also be urged to ensure the efficient operation of the sightscreen and the monitoring of movement around it."

The CEC were also presented with research carried out into the prevention of head injuries, work being carried out in this field by helmet manufacturers and medical teams.

Ireland sets sights on 2015 cricket World Cup qualification

Ireland's Kevin O'Brien hits through the offside as Matt Prior of England looks on during their famous World Cup win in Bangalore. Photograph: Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP/Getty Images

Ireland's cricket team have been boosted by confirmation that there will be two automatic 2015 World Cup spots to play for among the associate nations.

England were the victims of a Kevin O'Brien-inspired victory for the Irish in the group stages of this year's World Cup. The next edition is in Australia and New Zealand, and the top two places in the qualifying competition will secure places for associate members.

Ireland - Kevin O'Brien 

Ireland's coach, Phil Simmons, has welcomed the decision, rubber-stamped at an International Cricket Council chief executives' committee meeting in London.

"It certainly gives all the one-day games in the league some extra spice, and there's sure to be some high-pressure games as the league progresses," he said. "We've got off to a good start beating Namibia twice, and we'll be looking to add to that with wins against Canada."

The former captain Trent Johnston, meanwhile, has recovered from a knee injury and will be in the squad to face Canada in back-to-back matches at Clontarf next week.

Simmons added: "We've been boosted by the return of Trent, who always gives the squad a lift by his very presence.

"We've tried to schedule the games to give ourselves the best chance of having everyone available, which isn't always easy."

James Strong named 2015 World Cup chairman

Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket have appointed businessman James Strong as the chairman of the organising committee of the 2015 World Cup which will be held in Australia and New Zealand. Strong is the chairman of the retail chain Woolworths Limited, a non-executive director of Qantas Airways Limited, chairman of Kathmandu Holdings and the chairman of the Australian Council for the Arts. Another businessman, New Zealand's Ralph Waters, has been named deputy chairman.

"I am absolutely delighted to be involved in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup to be jointly hosted by New Zealand and Australia. Both countries have a great track record of organising major sporting events, and share a passion for cricket," Strong said. "The recent ICC 2011 Cricket World Cup showcased one-day cricket as a fast paced and highly competitive form of a great game. We are working to develop an exciting tournament with matches in both countries, which will capture public imagination here and throughout the cricketing world."

Strong is also a member of the board of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation that stages the F1 Grand Prix in Australia and the Australian Motor Cycle Grand Prix. He will lead the committee overseeing the organisation and execution of the World Cup in 2015 and also appoint a chief executive officer.

The organising committee will reportedly comprise two representatives from CA and NZC and could potentially also include up to two additional independent appointees apart from an independent chairman. Australia and New Zealand co-hosted the 1992 World Cup as well.

Story taken from   http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/content/story/527732.html

World Cup 2015 is our next target: Gooch

CARDIFF: After becoming the No. 1 Test and best T20 team in the world, England are now eyeing the 2015 World Cup. If the words of England batting consultant cum batting coach Graham Gooch are to be believed, the process has already begun.

He says the ODI battle against India in their backyard will also test the mettle of the England team. He revealed more during a brief chat with TOI.

Excerpts:

How exciting is it to work with this England team?

I enjoy the challenge very much. As coach you have to connect with the players. Unless and until the players are willing to listen to you, it's completely useless.

What is your impression about Duncan Fletcher?

Ask anyone in England about Fletcher and he will tell you how good he is as a coach. He had a very successful stint with the England team and I wish him all the best with India.

Despite being so big in stature in English cricket, how do you manage to strike a perfect working relationship with Andy Flower?

Andy had a 50-plus average in Test matches and was a fine player. I have been associated with him for a long time. I got him to Essex and have known him for years. Most importantly, I have been enjoying my stint with the England team.

What would be England's biggest challenge?

Our immediate challenge is to play and win the ODI series in India. I love that country. I also love the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. It's absolutely fantastic to play a cricket match there. During my playing days, I have always enjoyed being there. And I hope our team does well in those conditions. India may have lost the ODI series here, but they are a different side at home.

England are ranked No. 1 in Tests and are the current World Champions in T20. What's its next goal?

We have already started a process for the 2015 World Cup. We know that our World Cup performance earlier this year wasn't good. But for the next World Cup, our preparation has already started. There is a lot of talent in this country and we hope to do well with them. However, the current team also has a lot of promise. Their morale is high after doing well in the other two formats of the game.

Have you been impressed with any of the Indian players?

The young Indian team which is playing the ODI series against us is not that bad. They fought hard and showed a lot of promise. They missed some of the great players during the series due to injuries. Sachin Tendulkar for instance, but Rahul Dravid was fantastic this summer.

With so much cricket being played, do you think England can hold on to the No.1 Test spot for a long time?

We have the grit to stay right up there. India also did well to become No. 1 in the world. I am confident England are going to do well from here because beating the No. 1 team and then becoming the best team is not an easy job. Right now, we are not thinking much about Test cricket.

Story taken from   http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-16/interviews/30164805_1_odi-series-england-andy-flower