Bowl-off comes to Wills Cup (1 October 1998)

1 October 1998

Bowl-off comes to Wills Cup

by Zahid Newaz

For the first time a tie-breaking system is going to be introduced in an ICC tournament through Wills International Cup to be held in Dhaka from October 24 to November 2.

"If a side cannot play 25-over in a match, then the result will be decided through tie-breaker in the tournament," said Chief Executive of the International Cricket Council, David Richards.

For the tie breaker, five bowlers from each side will bowl to break the bails without any batsman and fielders. Bowling will continue till fate of the match is decided. This "bowl-out" tie-breaker has been used in English oneday cricket for several years to decide washed out knockout ties.

"However, there will be no tie breaker for the final match. If the final cannot be held on due date, it will be shifted for the following day," Richards said.

The announcement came in a press conference where the ICC Chief Executive officially announced signing of agreements ending all the confusion to organise the tournament in Dhaka on schedule. Addressing a press conference in Dhaka Wednesday afternoon, he also expressed his total satisfaction over the preparations of the knock-out basis world cup.

"Everything is okay. I'm highly satisfied over the Bangladesh's preparations for the greatest cricketing event in the ICC associate member country," said David Richards.

On behalf of the ICC, he signed an agreement with Bangladesh government and another with Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to confirm the mini-world cup cricket at the Bangabandhu Stadium in Dhaka.

The agreement with the government covers necessary security measures, customs affairs, traffic and insurance while with the BCB to determine the financial aspects and organising responsibilities. State Minister for Sports Obaidul Quader signed the agreement for Bangladesh government while BCB President and Deputy Minister for Shipping Saber Hossain Chowdhury signed on behalf of the BCB.

According to the agreement, the official status of the BCB is to host of the Wills International Cup involving all the nine test playing nations while the ICC is its organiser.

David Richards said standard of the newly installed floodlights at the games venue is above the international level. Practice grounds are also good, but need a little bit improvement.

"Dhaka is in top class condition for an international cricket venue," he said adding, "we never thought of shifting the venue from Bangladesh although some confusion had arisen due to country's devastating deluge and post-flood condition."

About insurance of the tournament, Richards said: I had a fruitful discussion with the managing director of government-owned Sadharan Bima Corporation and the chief engineer of DESA regarding power supply during the tourney.

He said he was also pleased after a discussion with the representative of the local body of the World Health Organsisation (WHO) regarding present health situation in Bangladesh.

BCB President Saber Hossain Chowdhury also spoke at the press conference. BCB vice president Tanveer Mazharul Islam Tanna and Campbell Jamieson (executive assistant to David Richards) were present on the occasion.

After a three-day visit to Bangladesh, the two ICC officials left Dhaka Wednesday night. Event manager of the Wills International Cup, Asif Iqbal left in the morning.

From: CricInfo365 (www.cricinfo365.com)

Source :: CricInfo