Cricket luv’rly cricket will be the order

The Second Edition of the International Cricket Council’s World Cup Twenty20 bash is expected to be even better, brighter and exciting than the previous one conducted in South Africa in 2007.

The ICC organizers of the bash have left no stone unturned to see to the successful completion of this once in two year fling and that the participating countries,the sponsors and everyone else will leave when the final ball is bowled having enjoyed every moment of it and singing its praises.

Twelve countries will be pitting their strength against each other competing for the glittering Trophy and a helluva lot of dollars. There was 20 warm-up matches being played and 42 tournament matches will be conducted which is a lot of Twenty20 cricket.

In addition to the Men’s Twenty20 will also be played the Women’s Twenty20 and the men will have a lot of US dollars to take home, while the women will have to be satisfied with much less.

The money to be won - MEN - Winner of final US$ 515,000. Winners of semi-finals US$ 279,000 x 2 -Us$540,000. Winners of each match in Super Eight stage US$ 63,000 per match. Winners of Group Stage matches US$ 15,750 per match. Total prize money to be won US$ 2,000.000.

WOMEN: - Winner of final US$ 45,000. Runner-up US$ 25,000. 3rd and 4th US$ 10,000 each. Winners of Group stage matches US$ 5,000 per match. Total prize money to be won US$ 150,000.

Fun and festivity will be an integral part of the Twenty20 and a family-friendly environment has been created at each venue. Entertainment, dancers, dugouts will compliment the on-field drama.

The tournament has recruited over 1000 volunteers. A dedicated and trained team of volunteers will be there to help in enquiries at media facilities and, around the venues and will act as information points for spectators.

The inaugural Twenty20 bash saw an exciting and memorable final with India edging out Pakistan in a thriller. Moments to savour and remember were provided by Chrys Gayle of the West Indies who blasted a hurricane century, The six sixes in one over by India’s Yuvraj Singh and the hat-trick by Aussie blond bomber Brett Lee.

While the broadcasters ESPN will field a galaxy of TV Commentators, ICC has picked the following elite umpires to stand in the tournament - Mark Benson, Billy Bowden, Aleem Dar, Steve Davis, Billy Doctrove, Marais Easmus, Ian Gould, Daryl Harper, Tony Hill, Rudi Koertzen, Nigel LLong, Asad Rauf, Amish Saheba, Asoka de Silva, Simon Taufel and Rod Tucker.

The ICC match referees will be Ranjan adugalle, Alan Hurst and Chris Broad.

ESPN STAR SPORTS the ICC”s broadcast partner, provided cutting edge coverage with new and innovative camera angles including cable camera and new features including human-centric player profiles, the introduction of the biggest sixes property that showed the longest sixes hit during the game and tournament, a live fielding tracking graphic and other features such as the Corridor of Uncertainty to gauge wide balls. It was also the first ever event where ICC branded graphics were used in the official broadcast.

In the First Edition of the tournament in South Africa Bangladesh eliminated the West Indies from the Group Stages while South Africa the hosts tumbled at the Super Eight Stage, while India, Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand all progressed to the semi-finals.

In a final that will always be remembered, India made 157 for five and skittled the Pakistanis for 152 in 19.3 overs with Irfan Pathan winning the man of the match award.

Believe it or not

Remember the story of a Sri Lankan man in a Nottinghamshire post office who refused to serve patrons who could not speak English? The Lankan who had the courage to stand by his conviction had to suffer the ignominy of a transfer.

Here is another story that should interest everyone.

According to a story in the SUN, England allrounder Freddie Flintoff is in a spin about migrant hotel staff who cannot speak English.

Flintoff says: “It annoys me when I phone a hotel receptionist in my own country and they don’t understand what I’m saying because they don’t speak English.

“I think that’s wrong. It’s nothing to do with being politically correct or incorrect. It’s just not right. I have no problems with a multicultural society. I think that is to the benefit of the country. But you have to be careful what levels you take it to.

Flintoff also dislikes rap music saying it encourages violence.