2011 CWC trophy visits Australia marking 40th anniversary of first ODI

Cricket's greatest prize, the ICC Cricket World Cup, will visit Melbourne this weekend on the final leg of its global journey to the big event, which starts in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka next month.

Fans will be given the chance to enjoy a rare close-up view of the 2011 trophy which will be displayed at several public events in Melbourne on Sunday 16 January and Monday 17 January.

The trophy and ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat will be welcomed by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Hon. Robert Doyle, at a public function at Federation Square's main stage in the city between 1000 and 1100. International cricket legend Dean Jones, who was part of Australia's World Cup-winning team in 1987, will join in the celebrations by sharing his memories of past Cricket World Cups and having his photo taken with fans and the trophy.

The trophy will then make its way to the MCG prior to the start of the One-Day International between Australia and England, where it will be displayed outside Gate 1 between 1230 and 1430. The match will coincide with celebrations to mark the 40th anniversary of the first-ever ODI, which took place at the same venue between the same teams in 1971.

On Monday 17 January, the trophy will travel to Melbourne International Airport from 1200 for fans to get one last glimpse before it departs for Mumbai that evening.

Mr Lorgat said that the ICC was delighted to be bringing the 2011 trophy to Australia, the reigning world champion and the team that has held the trophy since 1999 having won the past consecutive three editions of the tournament.

"This is cricket's flagship event and it is fitting to be here in Australia, a country that has enjoyed so much success having won the Cricket World Cup four times, more than any other country," said Mr Lorgat.

"This year is shaping up to be one of the most exciting of all the ICC Cricket World Cups. It is open and unpredictable and it won't be easy for Australia to win it yet again but it also won't be easy for any other team to wrestle the trophy from the defending champions. It promises to be an enthralling Cricket World Cup and the ICC is looking forward to an exciting competition among the 14 teams.

"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 and I can't wait to be in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka next month," he said.

The 2011 Cricket World Cup trophy, designed by a team of craftsmen from Garrard and Co., the British Crown jewellers, is made from silver and gold. It stands at 60cm in height and weighs 11kg. The design features a golden globe held up by three silver columns. The columns, shaped as stumps and balls, represent the three fundamental aspects of cricket --- batting, bowling and fielding --- while the globe also signifies a cricket ball.

The public events to see the 2011 Cricket World Cup Trophy are:

Sunday 16 January - 1000-1100, Federation Square main stage, 1230-1430, outside Gate 1 of the MCG at the Ponsford Stand,

Monday 17 January - 1200-2000, Melbourne Airport T2 Terminal (International Departures).

Thrills over CWC 2011 as 34 days left to kick off

Cricket fans flocked to the picturesque and world famous V and A Waterfront in Cape Town on 31st December 2010 (Friday) evening to celebrate 50 days to go before the start of the game's flagship event, the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

The tournament begins in Mirpur, Dhaka, on 19 February with the much-anticipated opener between co-hosts Bangladesh and India.

Joining the many followers of the game in Cape Town were Western Cape Premier Helen Zille, ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat and South Africa and India captains, Graeme Smith and Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

The full version of the official promotional film for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 was also revealed at the press conference. This promotional film will be part of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 television marketing campaign that will go on air this month.

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 trophy was later displayed at the function which concluded shortly after midnight with a spectacular fireworks display.

The celebrations continued till 1st January 2011 (Saturday) at the V and A Waterfront Shopping Centre with the fans having an opportunity to be photographed with The Cup that Counts.

Ms Zille, in her welcome address, said: "2010 will always be remembered as the year of a successful and exciting FIFA World Cup in South Africa. It is a fitting way to conclude 2010 by welcoming the ICC Cricket World Cup trophy to Cape Town."

Mr Lorgat said he was delighted to see so much interest and excitement building up amongst the players and followers of the game.

"With 50 days to go before cricket's flagship event starts, key players are starting to think and talk a lot more about the World Cup".

"The players will soon start with their World Cup focus and preparation and the related anticipation across the world will escalate with each passing day."

With the three host nations busy with extensive preparation and recognizing that a few venues were behind schedule, Mr Lorgat urged everyone to continue with the hard work required to successfully stage a world-class event.

"We must do our utmost to complete all the necessary work to deliver another memorable event," said Mr Lorgat.

He also thanked the host countries and the ICC's commercial partners for their excellent work to date.

South Africa captain Graeme Smith, whose side opens its campaign against two-time winner West Indies in New Delhi on 24 February, shared his excitement when he said: "I can't believe that the World Cup is only 50 days away! The spectacular way that 50 days to the World Cup was marked is a pointer to the magnitude of the event.

"As a unit, we are looking to make sure we head into the showpiece with the best preparation possible."

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said he can feel the World Cup buzz around him.

"With just 50 days remaining before we launch our campaign to win the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, I can clearly feel and sense the tremendous excitement which is gripping the cricket fraternity," he said.

"It is not a surprise to me as it doesn't get any bigger than the World Cup. It is the ultimate dream of every cricketer to represent his country in this competition and win the glittering trophy at least once in his career.

"Every one of us in the India dressing room wants to lift that cup, not only for ourselves, but also for the billions of fans supporting us around the globe. It will require a lot of hard work, self belief and also a positive approach which Team India is capable of displaying at the highest level."

Commenting on his side's preparations for the World Cup, Dhoni said: "I'm happy with our preparations so far as we have gelled well, we have backed each other all the way and have played some excellent cricket lately. But we are also aware that we need to peak at the right time and maintain a winning momentum as the competition will be tough and every team will enter the event fancying its chances.

"Each team and match will bring a fresh challenge and we will have to play to our potential every time we take the field."

The charismatic India captain urged the spectators to play their part in making the event the most successful ever.

He said: "I also take this opportunity to urge the India public and spectators to support the tournament and all the teams taking part in it. I would love to see every stadium packed to capacity even when we are not playing.

"With billions of eyes following the World Cup on television, this would be another great opportunity for us to showcase our love and passion for this great sport. Let us all unite and make the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 in the subcontinent the best ever."

However, only 34 days is left to take the craze and test of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 scheduled to begin on 19th February 2011.    

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Cricket India continues as number one in ICC test ranking

India Cricket holds its position as Number One in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test Ranking for the last 13 months. Before this, Australian Cricket  had continued their success as Number One in ICC Test Ranking for incessant 72 months. 

ICC Test Ranking was first published in June 2003 and from then Australia performed their untouchable record of being Number One till July 2009. 

Beginning with 129 rating score in June 2003, Australia achieved maximum 143 score in November and December of 2007. However, 2007 and 2008 was the most performing period for Australia in test cricket as per rating sore achieved this time.

       

In latest, India beginning from December 2009 till now has been carrying the position of Number One in Test Ranking.

In the latest Matches published in December 5, 2010, India achieved the position on Number One in the ICC Test Ranking scoring 129 rating playing 38 matches and grabbing 4893 points.

Then South Africa achieved second position in the ICC Test Ranking scoring 116 rating playing 32 matches and grabbing 3712 points.  

England achieved third position in the ICC Test Ranking scoring 112 rating playing 39 matches and grabbing 4355 points.  

Australia achieved fourth position in the ICC Test Ranking scoring 110 rating playing 37 matches and grabbing 4061 points.  

Sri Lanka achieved fifth position in the ICC Test Ranking scoring 109 rating playing 27 matches and grabbing 2951 points.  

Pakistan achieved sixth position in the ICC Test Ranking scoring 88 rating playing 26 matches and grabbing 2275 points.  

West Indies achieved seventh position in the ICC Test Ranking scoring 85 rating playing 25 matches and grabbing 2128 points.  

    

New Zealand achieved eighth position in the ICC Test Ranking scoring 80 rating playing 29 matches and grabbing 2318 points.  

    

Lastly, Bangladesh achieved ninth position in the ICC Test Ranking scoring very trifling 7 rating only playing 19 matches and grabbing 131 points.