ICC World Twenty20: Format of the Tournament, Schedule, Timings and Venues

All is set to kick off 2012 ICC World Twenty20 cricket tournament tomorrow (Tuesday, Sep 18) in Sri Lanka. The final of the tournament will be played on Oct 7, 2012.

 

2012 ICC World Twenty20 (Sri Lanka Sep 18 - Oct 07)

 

 

Twelve (12) teams are going to fight out their hearts for the trophy. The teams include Sri Lanka (the host), Zimbabwe, Australia, Ireland, Afghanistan, India, South Africa, New Zealand, Bangladesh, West Indies, Pakistan and England.

 

Teams are divided into four groups for the initial round as follows:

 

Group A – England, India, Afghanistan
Group B – Australia, West Indies, Ireland
Group C – Sri Lanka, South Africa, Zimbabwe
Group D – Pakistan, New Zealand, Bangladesh

 

After the intial round two tema from each group will qualify for the second round - Super Eight (Super 8, S8 round) and two groups will be formed having 4 teams in each group. The formation of the S8 groups will be as follows:

 

Group 1 – A1, B2, C1, D2
Group 2 – A2, B1, C2, D1

 

In the Super 8 round each team will play three matches, one with each group-team, to qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament scheduled on October 4 and October 5. The final of the tournament will be played on Oct 7, 2012.

 

The Group C teams Sri Lanka will take on Zimbabwe in the tournament opener tomorrow at 19:30 local time (14:00 GMT).

 

The complete schedule of the matches for the initial round is given below:

 

ICC World T20 Pre-S8 Matches Schedule (Click to enlarge)

 

 

Sri Lankan Batsman Upul Tharanga in Deep Trouble for Pistive Dope Test during Cricket World Cup

Upul Tharanga to face ICC Inquiry for Dope Test

COLOMBO - According to ‘Sunday Times’ reports; International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to hold an inquiry into Upul Tharanga being tested positive for using a prohibited stuff during the recent World Cup tournament.

Reportedly, Sri Lanka’s opening batsman Upul Tharanga was tested positive for a prohibited substance, Prednisolone, during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. 

The substance in question is normally used for a wide range of inflammatory and auto-immune conditions such as asthma and the 26-year-old has a history of asthma.

Upul Tharanga has stated already that he used a medicine, containing prohibited drug, prescribed by a famous medical consultant who has treated Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir and Ashish Nehra.

Cricket World Cup - ICC Announced Umpiring Panels for Quarterfinals

ICC has announced the panels to officiate the World Cup Quartefinals starting from tomorrow with the clash between Pakistan and West Indies at Dhaka; followed by India-Australia, South Africa-New Zealand, and Sri Lanka-England on March 24, 25 and 26 at Ahmedabad, Dhaka and Colombo respectively. (Follow the quarterfinal schedule here)

The details of match officials announced by ICC are as follows:

1.      Pakistan v West Indies (Wed/March 23) at Dhaka – Bowden and Steve Davis will be on-field umpires while Daryl Harper and Bruce Oxenford will supervise the match as third and fourth umpire respectively.

2.      India v Australia (Thu/March 24) at Ahmedabad – Marais Erasmus and Ian Gould will be on-field umpires while Richard Kettleborough and Asad Rauf will supervise the match as third and fourth umpire respectively. 

3.      New Zealand v South Africa (Fri/March 25) at Dhaka - Aleem Dar and Rod Tucker will be on-field umpires while Kumar Dharmasena and Nigel Llong will supervise the match as third and fourth umpire respectively. 

4.  Sri Lanka v England (Sat/March 26) at Colombo - Billy Doctrove and Simon Taufel will be on-field umpires while Tony Hill and Shavir Tarapore will supervise the match as third and fourth umpire respectively.

Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) Guidelines Changed by ICC Amid Mega Event: Sangakarra Slammed ICC

COLOMBO - After the ICC’s new guidelines issued on Monday regarding the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS); Sri Lanakan skipper Kumar Sangakkara criticized the international body for changing the rules in the middle of the ICC World Cup 2011. 

ICC has redefined 2.5 metre rule in LBW decisions. According to the previous rule, the LBW decision could be undone by the on-field umpire in such cases only if the ball was hitting the centre of the middle stump; but now new rules suggest even though the distance between the stumps and the point of impact is 2.5 metre or greater, on-field umpires can reverse not out LBW decisions even if the ball is hitting a part of middle stump.

Sangakkara said Sri Lankan side would like more steadiness from the ICC and not a change in rules in the midst of a tournament, which might ultimately lead to controversies at the end of the day.

"I think the ICC has got to be careful not to make rules seem confusing for human use. Chopping and changing during a tournament is going to add to the confusion," he said.

ICC Chief Harron Logart Wants Next World Cup With Just 10 Top Teams

Cricket World Cup 2011 edition is all set to take off today with a clash between India and Bangladesh at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. 

 Just a day before it starts ICC chief Haroon Logart reignited the issue of teams in the world cup which are called minnows of the Game of Cricket. He again favoured a world cup with top 10 teams in the world putting in danger the future of the cricket and smaller cricket playing nations like Netherlands, Ireland, Kenya and Canada.

Haroon  Lorgat categorically stated that the World Twenty20 would be increased to 16 teams from 12, while the 50-over World Cup would be trimmed to 10.

Tom Sears, chief executive of Cricket Kenya, expressed his fears on Thursday saying that the ICC would not be acting in the interests of the game if the smaller teams were kept out of the next World Cup and Canada also articulated concerns.

ICC CWC 2011 - - Appointments of Umpires and Match Refrees' Announced by ICC

The International Cricket Council (ICC) Wednesday announced umpire and match referee appointments during ICC Cricket World Cup starting from February 19.

Following are umpires, match referees for group stage:

1. Feb. 19 Bangladesh v India (d/n), Dhaka- Steve Davis and Kumar Dharmasena, Billy Doctrove (third), Asad Rauf (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)
   
2. Feb 20: New Zealand v Kenya (d), Chennai - Rod Tucker and Marais Erasmus, Aleem Dar (third), Sudhir Asnani (fourth), Roshan Mahanama (referee)
   
3. Feb 20: Sri Lanka v Canada (d/n), Hambantota - Ian Gould and Shahvir Tarapore, Tony Hill (third), Daryl Harper (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)
   
4. Feb. 21:  Australia v Zimbabwe (d/n), Ahmedabad - Asoka de Silva and Richard Kettleborough, Amish Saheba (third), Simon Taufel (fourth), Jeff Crowe (referee)
   
5. Feb 22: England v Netherlands (d/n), Nagpur - Asad Rauf and Brice Oxenford, Kumar Dharmasena (third), Steve Davis (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)
   
6. Feb 23: Pakistan v Kenya (d/n), Hambantota - Tony Hill and Nigel Llong, Daryl Harper (third), Shahvir Tarapore (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)
   
7. Feb 24: South Africa v West Indies (d/n), New Delhi – Simon Taufel and Amish Saheba, Asoka de Silva (third), Richard Kettleborough (fourth), Jeff Crowe (referee)
   
8. Feb 25: Australia v New Zealand (d), Nagpur - Billy Doctrove and Kumar Dharmasena, Asad Rauf (third), Bruce Oxenford (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)
   
9. Feb 25: Bangladesh v Ireland (d/n), Dhaka - Aleem Dar and Rod Tucker, Billy Bowden (third), Marais Erasmus (fourth), Roshan Mahanama (referee)
   
10. Feb 26: Sri Lanka v Pakistan (d/n), Colombo - Daryl Harper and Ian Gould, Nigel Llong (third), Tony Hill (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)

11. Feb 27: India v England (d/n), Bengaluru - Billy Bowden and Marais Erasmus, Rod Tucker (third), Aleem Dar (fourth), Roshan Mahanama (referee)
    

12. Feb 28: West Indies v Netherlands, (d/n) New Delhi - Amish Saheba and Simon Taufel, Richard Kettleborough (third), Asoka de Silva (fourth), Jeff Crowe (referee)
    

13. Feb 28: Zimbabwe v Canada (d), Nagpur - Asad Rauf and Bruce Oxenford, Steve Davis (third), Billy Doctrove (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)
    

14. Mar 1: Sri Lanka v Kenya (d), Colombo - Tony Hill and Shahvir Tarapore, Ian Gould (third), Daryl Harper (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)
    

15. Mar 2: England v Ireland (d/n), Bengaluru - Aleem Dar and Billy Bowden, Marais Erasmus (third), Rod Tucker (fourth), Roshan Mahanama (referee )
    

16. Mar 3: South Africa v Netherlands (d), Mohali - Asoka de Silva and Richard Kettleborough, Simon Taufel (third), Amish Saheba (fourth), Jeff Crowe (referee)
    

17. Mar 3: Pakistan v Canada (d/n), Colombo - Daryl Harper and Nigel Llong, Tony Hill (third), Ian Gould (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)

18. Mar 4: New Zealand v Zimbabwe (d), Ahmedabad - Aleem Dar and Marais Erasmus, Rod Tucker (third), Billy Bowden (fourth), Roshan Mahanama (referee)
    

19. Mar 4: Bangladesh v West Indies (d/n), Dhaka - Kumar Dharmasena and Steve Davis, Asad Rauf (third), Bruce Oxenford (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)
    

20. Mar 5: Sri Lanka v Australia (d/n), Colombo - Tony Hill and Ian Gould, Shahvir Tarapore (third), Nigel Llong (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)

21. Mar 6: India v Ireland (d/n), Bengaluru - Billy Bowden and Rod Tucker, Marais Erasmus (third), Aleem Dar (fourth), Roshan Mahanama (referee)

22. Mar 6: England v South Africa (d), Chennai - Simon Taufel and Amish Saheba, Asoka de Silva (third), Richard Kettleborough (fourth), Jeff Crowe (referee)
    

23. Mar 8: Kenya v Canada (d/n), New Delhi - Asad Rauf and Billy Doctrove, Bruce Oxenford (third), Steve Davis (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)
    

24. Mar 8: Pakistan v New Zealand (d/n), Pallekele - Daryl Harper and Nigel Llong, Ian Gould (third), Shahvir Tarapore (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)
    

25. Mar 9: India v Netherlands (d/n), New Delhi - Bruce Oxenford and Steve Davis, Billy Doctrove (third), Kumar Dharmasena (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)
    

26. Mar 10: Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe (d/n), Pallekele - Marais Erasmus and Nigel Llong, Tony Hill (third), Ranmore Martinesz (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)
    

27. Mar 11: West Indies v Ireland (d), Mohali - Asoka de Silva and Shahvir Tarapore, Bruce Oxenford (third), Steve Davis (fourth), Roshan Mahnama (referee)
    

28. Mar 11: Bangladesh v England (d/n), Chittagong - Daryl Harper and Rod Tucker, Aleem Dar (third), Enamul Hoque-Moni (fourth), Jeff Crowe (referee)
    

29. Mar 12: India v South Africa (d/n), Nagpur - Ian Gould and Simon Taufel, Billy Doctrove (third), Kumar Dharmasena (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)
    

30. Mar 13: New Zealand v Canada (d), Mumbai - Shahvir Tarapore and Bruce Oxenford, Steve Davis (third), Asoka de Silva (fourth), Roshan Mahanama (referee)
    

31. Mar 13: Australia v Kenya (d/n), Bengaluru - Asad Rauf and Richard Kettleborough, Billy Bowden (third), Amish Saheba (fourth), Andy Pycroft (referee)
    

32. Mar 14: Pakistan v Zimbabwe (d/n), Pallekele - Nigel Llong and Tony Hill, Marais Erasmus (third),  Ranmore Martinesz (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)
    

33. Mar 14: Bangladesh v Netherlands (d), Chittagong - Aleem Dar and Rod Tucker, Daryl Harper (third), Enamul Hoque-Moni (fourth), Jeff Crowe (referee)
    

34. Mar 15: South Africa v Ireland (d/n), Kolkata - Kumar Dharmasena and Billy Doctrove, Simon Taufel (third), Ian Gould (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)
    

35. Mar 16: Australia v Canada (d/n), Bengaluru - Amish Saheba and Billy Bowden, Richard Kettleborough (third), Asad Rauf (fourth), Andy Pycroft (referee)
    

36. Mar 17: England v West Indies (d/n), Chennai - Asoka de Silva and Steve Davis, Shahvir Tarapore (third), Brice Oxenford (fourth), Roshan Mahanama (referee)
    

37. Mar 18: Sri Lanka v New Zealand (d/n), Mumbai - Richard Kettleborough and Asad Rauf, Amish Saheba (third), Billy Bowden (fourth), Andy Pycroft (referee)
    

38. Mar 18: Ireland v Netherlands (d), Kolkata - Simon Tuafel and Ian Gould, Kumar Dharmasena (third), Billy Doctrove (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)
    

39. Mar 19: Australia v Pakistan (d/n), Colombo - Tony Hill and Marais Erasmus, Nigel Llong (third), Tyron Wijewardena (fourth), Chris Broad (referee)
    

40. Mar 19: Bangladesh v South Africa (d), Dhaka - Daryl Harper and Aleem Dar, Rod Tucker (third), Enamul Hoque-Moni (fourth), Jeff Crowe (referee)
    

41. Mar 20: Zimbabwe v Kenya (d), Kolkata - Billy Doctrove and Kumar Dharmasena, Ian Gould (third), Simon Taufel (fourth), Ranjan Madugalle (referee)

Appointments for the knock-out matches will be announced later.

ICC to Re-examine Eden Garden For The Rest of World Cup Matches on Feb. 7

KOLKATA, India – After depriving of 27th February India-England big match; Eden Garden will face another doomsday n February 7, when ICC will re-examine the progress of venue for hosting other three scheduled matches in March. 

Apart from the India-England encounter, the Eden Gardens is slated to host South Africa vs. Ireland (March 15), the Netherlands vs. Ireland (March 18), and Zimbabwe vs. Kenya (March 20). 

According to ICC spokesman, "There will be an inspection on February 7 to gauge progress of Eden Gardens as the venue for the other three World Cup matches scheduled."

ICC Rejected the Extension Appeal of Discarded Venue of Eden Garden, Kolkata

NEW DELHI: As earlier reported here that BCCI requested ICC to reconsider the decision of moving the India-England world cup match from Eden Garden to another venue due to lack of proper preparations on the venue.

 

Now it is reported on Saturday that ICC didn’t accept the Indian cricket board's request because of no assurance from Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) whether the stadium would be ready in time for the Feb 27 day-night game.

HaroonHaroon Lorgat in an email to BCCI President ShashankShashank Manohar said the ICC was not in a position to accommodate the last minute request from the board.

N. Srinivasan, secretary BCCI told media that ICC has instructed BCCI to finalize the alternative venue by January 31.

BCCI Asks ICC to Reconsider The Decision of Removing Eden Garden As World Cup Venue

Kolkata, India - After ICC instructions to BCCI asking to look for an alternate venue for India-England match from Eden Garden Kolkata to another venue due to unsatisfactory completion level of stadium for the 27th February clash; President of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) Jagmohan Dalmiya, also a former ICC president, appealed BCCI to ask ICC for the reconsideration of the decision.

As a result of CAB appeal; BCCI has asked the ICC for an extension of 10 days (up to February 7) to complete all the renovation work before handing over the Eden Garden to ICC.

ICC has already granted a 14-days extension to four other venues including Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium to complete the finishing work.

Other than the India-England match on Feb. 27, Eden Gardens ia also scheduled to host three other games -- South Africa vs. Ireland (March 15), the Netherlands vs. Ireland (March 18), and Zimbabwe vs. Kenya.

"The Road to the World Cup": Documentary Released by ICC - - Shows The Journey of Four ICC Associate and Affiliate Member For Qualifying for The Flagship Event

"The Road to the World Cup", a documentary released by International Cricket Council (ICC); showing how teams from across the globe attempted to qualify for cricket’s flagship event.

Documentary also shows the success of the Pepsi ICC Development Programme in spreading the sport to all corners of the world, the documentary describes the story of how the four ICC Associate and Affiliate Member qualifying places in the 2011 event were decided. This includes colorful, and never-before-seen footage of four qualifying tournaments across the world.

Highlighting tournaments and venues as varied as Jersey, Dar-es-Salaam, Buenos Aires and Johannesburg, this charming story presents a exclusive insight into the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League (WCL) qualifying structure that provided ICC Members with a pathway to the World Cup.

With interviews and footage of the four ICC Associate Members – Canada, Ireland, Kenya and Netherlands – that successfully made the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011,  the documentary is a must watch for all international cricket fans in the lead up to next year’s showpiece.

The documentary also encircles the exciting success of the Afghanistan cricket team through multiple divisions of the Pepsi ICC WCL, highlighting their title successes in Jersey, Tanzania and Argentina, before they come agonizingly close to sealing ICC Cricket World Cup qualification in South Africa.

Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis in ICC Shortlist For All-time Greatest ODI Team - - Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Moin Khan, Shahid Afridi and Saqlain MUshtaq Also Nominated

One of the best Pakistani pace bowler duo Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis,  today established a place in the list of players listed for an ICC online poll to pick the all-time greatest team as part of one day cricket’s 40th anniversary celebrations. 

“To mark the 40th anniversary of One-Day International cricket, the ICC’s official website is asking supporters from across the globe to select their choice of the greatest ODI match and team of all-time,” the ICC said in a statement.

Website www.icc-cricket.com is asking supporters to select a dream team from a shortlist of 48 players and pick their favourite game from a choice of 10 memorable matches. 

Cricket lovers and players fans can select dream team and favourite game till January 2, with the choices set to be announced on January 5 to match with the 40th anniversary of the first-ever ODI match between Australia and England.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said, “With the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 now less than two months away, excitement and interest in the one-day format of the game will certainly intensify. We know that fans will enjoy having the chance to remember some of the great games and great players that have played in ODI cricket during the past 40 years.” 

The Australian ODI team from 1971 will also be presented to the crowd during the innings break of the first ODI match of the series between Australia and England at the MCG on January 16. 

In the nominees for the Greatest ODI team of all time, Moin Khan is the lone Pakistani in the list of wicketkeepers. On the batting side Saeed Anwar got nomination in opening batsmen list, while Inzimam-ul Haq, Javed Miandad found their places in the list of Middle-order batsmen.

Former Pakistan captain of 1992 world cup winning team, Imran Khan listed in all-rounder category; while Shahid Afridi and Saqlain Mushtaq got their chance to be part of dream team as Spinners.

Two Pakistan matches (the win over India by 1 wicket at Sharjah, 18 April 1986 and a tied match against Sri Lanka at Sharjah, 15 October 1999) are there in the list of nominees for the greatest ODI match. 

The shortlist for Dream Team: 

Opening batsmen (2) — Saeed Anwar, Sourav Ganguly, Gordon Greenidge, Matthew Hayden, Sanath Jayasuriya, Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Glenn Turner. 

Middle—order batsmen (3) — Michael Bevan, Martin Crowe, Aravinda de Silva, Inzamam-ul Haq, Brian Lara, Javed Miandad, Ricky Ponting, Viv Richards. 

All—rounder (1) — Ian Botham, Kapil Dev, Andrew Flintoff, Richard Hadlee, Jacques Kallis, Imran Khan, Lance Klusener, Shaun Pollock. 

Wicketkeeper (1) — Mark Boucher, MS Dhoni, Andy Flower Adam Gilchrist, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Moin Khan, Alec Stewart, Kumar Sangakkara. 

Fast bowlers (3) — Wasim Akram, Allan Donald, Joel Garner, Michael Holding, Dennis Lillee, Glenn McGrath, Chaminda Vaas, Waqar Younis. 

Spinners (1) — Shahid Afridi, Carl Hooper, Anil Kumble, Muttiah Muralitharan, Saqlain Mushtaq, Harbhajan Singh, Shane Warne, Daniel Vettori. 

Greatest ODI match of all—time: 

West Indies beat Australia by 17 runs at Lord’s, 21 June 1975.

India beat West Indies by 43 runs at Lord’s, 25 June 1983.

Pakistan beat India won by one—wicket at Sharjah, 18 April 1986.

England won by three wickets against Australia at Sydney, 22 January 1987.

Australia won by one—wicket against West Indies at Sydney, 12 January 1996.

Australia tied with South Africa at Edgbaston, 17 June 1999.

Pakistan tied with Sri Lanka, at Sharjah, 15 October 1999.

India beat Pakistan by five runs at Karachi, 13 March 2004.

Bangladesh beat Australia by five wickets at Cardiff, 18 June 2005.

South Africa beat Australia by one—wicket at Johannesburg, 12 March 2006.