Australia given time to decide on 2011 World Cup bid

'I would like to see the 2011 World Cup being hosted jointly by the four Asian Test-playing nations' - Ehsan Mani © Getty Images

Ehsan Mani, the ICC president, said on Wednesday that Asia could only host the 2011 World Cup if Australia didn't make a bid for organising the mega event.

"The ICC has decided under a rotation policy that every third World Cup would be held in Asia. In 2011 it's the turn of Australia to host the event but they've not yet decided on what to do. If they say no then Asia can bid for the tournament," said Mani.

The next World Cup is due to be held in the West Indies in 2007 and Mani said the ICC had sent all the relevant documents and papers for the 2011 edition to the Australian cricket board who'll now take their time and convey their decision to the ICC. James Sutherland, Cricket Australia's (CA) chief executive, said last week his board had not decided about hosting the World Cup while the Indian and Pakistan boards have indicated their willingness to organise the coveted event. Of the eight World Cups, Asia has hosted two - in 1987 when Australia won - and in 1996 when Sri Lanka won.

Mani said even if Asia could not host the World Cup in 2011 it would automatically do so in 2015 under the rotation policy. "India has shown its interest and so has Pakistan. But personally if possible I would like to see the 2011 World Cup being hosted jointly by the four Asian Test-playing nations - Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It would be something to look forward to and give the game a big boost," he stated.

Mani said no deadline had been set for Australia to confirm their willingness to host the tournament. He added that the ICC would handle all the finances of the World Cup while the host country would be providing the facilities and technical support, saying, "We expect from the World Cup hosts to provide the best playing facilities, good coordination with the local authorities, assuring anti-piracy and exemption from taxes. Prevention of ambush marketing, sponsorships and related issues are handled by the ICC."

Taxes have been a major issue when it comes to India hosting international events as nearly 44 World Cup 1996 cases are pending in the country's supreme court.