Tonight:
5°c
Capital hosts carnival of cricket
Amar Singh and Shekhar Bhatia5 Jun 2009
A carnival of cricket begins in London today as the ICC World Twenty20 tournament gets underway.
The world's top cricket stars are competing in the two and half week tournament, with organisers promising one of the most entertaining sporting spectacles ever.
Players from 12 countries are competing in the event which will start at Lord's tonight with an extravagant opening ceremony.
Organisers say the diversity of the city will ensure every team will be cheered on by their own supporters and most games are likely to be sold out.
In a taste of what is to come, a warm-up game between Pakistan and India at the Oval this week - the first between the two nations since the Mumbai terror attacks - was a sell-out that had scores of ticketless fans eagerly listening outside the ground's perimeter.
The tournament begins this evening when England take on the Netherlands in the opening match at Lord's and then continues for the next two and half weeks.
The inaugural World Twenty20 in South Africa in 2007 was a huge success, drawing one of the biggest global TV audiences ever outside a football World Cup or Olympic Games.
And organisers hope the 2009 tournament will be just as successful.
Tournament director Steve Elworthy told the Standard that London's mixed population would mean matches at Lord's and the Oval will be played in front of partisan crowds creating electric' atmospheres.
He said: “This tournament will be like nothing that's ever come before, thanks to London's diverse cultural nature. Every team will play in front of a home crowd' and we are tailoring each match to the nations competing. The fans will love it.
“When an England player hits a four, dancers will do a routine to English anthems, when the West Indies play we'll have calypso.
“There will be bhangra for India and so on - it will be a true carnival of cricket and the matches in London, in particular, will show the world how great this city is. Each match is an entire production.”
Mr Elworthy said he was confident matches would be played in front of filled stadiums.
“We have already sold 90 per cent of tickets. Its the local fans that are supporting the tournament and that's been fantastic.
“We had such a great atmosphere for the warm up game between India and Pakistan at the Oval and there was a jump in ticket sales following some of the warm up games. With The Ashes coming up, its a massive of summer of cricket.”
Mr Elworthy has also had to take unprecedented security measures for the tournament, following the attack by terrorist gunmen on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore last year.
“Tragedies like that do focus the mind because suddenly now teams look like they're on somebody's radar. We have a security plan that's been put together over 12 months. We have a number of agencies working together including the Met, the ICC's security consultants, the Crown Prosecution Service and the security teams from each venue, which have a wealth of experience. It is fluid and every day there is a rethink on whether we are taking the right measures.
“It's about getting the right balance and making families who come to the matches feel safe - but then you don't want a cricket match breaking out in the middle of a security operation.”
He said the Sri Lankan team security had been closely examined following the Lahore attack and recent protests.
“We've taken into account that Sri Lanka could be targeted because of the protests that have been taking place. There was a small protest at Lord's during their warm-up match.
“We are delivering a security plan that is keeping them safe and we are getting information from the Met every day.”
The 2009 tournament will use three venues - Lord's, The Oval and Trent Bridge and will feature 12 teams; Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West India.
Today's opening ceremony will feature the captains of all 12 countries and singer Alesha Dixon will become the first artist to perform in front of the famous pavilion at Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), where women were refused membership until 1998.
Miss Dixon, 30, said: “It is an honour and I am really looking forward to performing. I hope the cricket crowd are up for it. We are going to get the party started and in the mood for the whole tournament
“I like the way that Lord's is getting modernised, bringing in music, dancers and making it young and fun. It's a really good idea.”
ICC World Twenty20 in numbers
One billion TV viewers estimated
330,000 tickets already sold across the whole tournament
1000 volunteers recruited
800 official balls
500 lobsters will be consumed at Lord's throughout the tournament
98 mph - the speed of ball that each stump is tested to withstand. They are made in India by Reebok
12 dancers performing at each match when a boundary is scored or a wicket is taken
Where to watch the matches
* The Cinnamon Club in Westminster is having a Lord's style-makeover for the tournament. Each game will be shown live in the bar, cricket inspired cocktails and menus will be on offer. Executive Chef Vivek Singh has also created a unique cricket grazing menu that can be enjoyed along with a complimentary cinnamon bellini.
* Walkabout bars across London will be showing all the games, and there's 25% off all food and drink with the group's Boomerang card scheme.
* The White Hart pub is just 600 yards from The Oval and is showing all the matches. Its private room complete with plasma screen is available for a hire, and a range of cricket-themed wines will be served including Silly Mid On' Sauvignon Semillon and Cover Drive' Cabernet Sauvignon.
Reader views (2)
Does anyone really care?
- Steve, London, 05/06/2009 14:34
Report abuse
Let the Sri Lankan team unite a fractious diaspora!
- Tharun Gnanapragasam, London, 05/06/2009 12:06
Report abuse
