Former Kenya skipper Steve Tikolo feels the International Cricket Council’s decision to limit the next World Cup to 10 top teams is “not the right way to go”.
“If we as cricketers really want to spread the game all over the world, I think a lot of countries should be given the chance to play the game rather than restrict it to 10 teams. My personal feeling is that it is not the right way to go,” Tikolo, 39, said here on Friday, two days before his team take on New Zealand in group A at the Chepauk stadium.
“If you want to globalise the game, then give every individual, every country a chance,” said Tikolo, who will play in his fifth World Cup before calling it quits. “My last game in this World Cup will be my final match.”
ICC FIRM
Tikolos comments came on the same day ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat reiterated that the world body will not go back on its decision to reduce the 50-over World Cup from 14 to 10 teams.
“We have felt in the past few years that Twenty20 is the best format to develop the game worldwide and it provides a better environment for competition,” Lorgat told a news agency. “The 50-over format is more skill-based and suitable for the top teams.”
TICKET PRICES SLASHED
Tamil Nadu Cricket Association officials know how difficult it is to sell tickets for matches involving unfancied sides. They have halved the ticket rates for the match between Kenya and New Zealand on Sunday but are still unable to find takers.
TICKET PRICES SLASHED
Tamil Nadu Cricket Association officials know how difficult it is to sell tickets for matches involving unfancied sides. They have halved the ticket rates for the match between Kenya and New Zealand on Sunday but are still unable to find takers.
“Ticket prices for Sunday’s match start from Rs 250 instead of Rs 500, but nobody wants to buy them,” said a TNCA official. Even India’s practice match against NZ on Wednesday was watched by 24,000 people, though they got the tickets at one-tenth of the usual price.