Thursday, September 11, 2008

Australia women's cricket bracing for ICC World Cup:

By Wahabuddin khan- Members of the Australia women's cricket team have celebrated six months until its quest for the ICC Women's World Cup 2009 by taking to the Sydney Tower's Skywalk attraction, said an ICC press release on Sunday.With the ICC Women's World Cup starting on March 7 2009, Lisa Sthalekar, Leah Poulton and twins Kate and Alex Blackwell enjoyed Sydney's best view but it will be the summit of a different climb they set their sights on next year when they look to reach the pinnacle of the cricket world.Sthalekar said she is looking forward to the atmosphere around Sydney during the ICC Women's World Cup."We're really looking forward to playing in the tournament and showcasing to Australia and the rest of the world what women's cricket has to offer," she said."Visitors who come to Australia for the World Cup are guaranteed not only an unforgettable experience at he tournament, but the host cities as well."I can't wait to get out there and play in front of a home crowd. There is nothing better than the support from our Aussie fans."Australia will open its World Cup defence with a trans-Tasman clash against New Zealand on 8 March at North Sydney Oval before completing their Group A commitments with matches against South Africa and West Indies in Newcastle and Drummoyne.Providing they make it through their Group matches to the Super Sixes stage, Australia will play three more matches before the final and playoff matches.

T20 cricket hits new high with 900-million dollar TV deal


Wahabuddin khan

NEW DELHI — Twenty20 cricket's brand value touches new heights on Thursday after pan-Asian ESPN-STAR network agreed to pay 900 million dollars for the proposed T20 Champions League.The network was awarded the global commercial rights of the inter-club tournament for the next 10 years with the inaugural event set to be played from December 3-10 at venues yet to be decided.The deal makes the tournament the highest valued cricket event on a per-game basis, according to a statement from the organisers that comprise the Australian, Indian and South African cricket boards.ESPN-STAR, owned jointly by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp and Walt Disney, were awarded the rights after bids were opened in Dubai late Wednesday on the sidelines of the International Cricket Council's annual awards night.ESPN-STAR, which also holds the rights for all ICC events including the World Cup, Champions Trophy and the T20 Worlds, said they were delighted to add the Champions League to their line-up.