ICC Champions Trophy England 2004 launched in London

The International Cricket Council (ICC) and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today launched the ICC Champions Trophy 2004 in London.

The event is one of the two `majors' in international cricket and will take place at three venues in England from 10 to 25 September.

ICC President Ehsan Mani expressed his delight that the world's best cricketers would be gathering in England in September.

"It is the only time outside the ICC Cricket World Cup when all of the top teams assemble in one country," explained Mr Mani.

"With the ICC Cricket World Cup not likely to return to England for at least a decade it will be a rare opportunity for English cricket fans to see the world's best players.

"I know that some people are wary that we have scheduled a cricket event in England in September. Our research has shown that it is England's fourth warmest month and we have amended the playing conditions to give us every chance of matches being completed.

"All games have scheduled reserve days and, unlike two years ago, matches will be continued the following day rather than replayed in the event of showers or bad light.

"The event will also enable us to draw attention to our strategic alliance with UNAIDS. Cricket cannot ignore this problem of HIV and AIDS and I look forward to the sport's top players uniting in this common cause later this year."

ECB Chairman David Morgan said that the ECB was looking forward to welcoming the world's best players to England.

"At ECB we are confident that the Tournament will provide a spectacular climax to an exciting and invigorating summer of international cricket in England and Wales," said Mr Morgan.

"What a feast for supporters of the game here - 15 games in 15 days with the best players in the world gracing three of our international venues - all who are interested in cricket will be excited by that prospect."

The total tournament prize fund is second only to that offered at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003.

This is the fourth time the ICC has staged the event. It began as the ICC Knockout in Bangladesh in 1998 with South Africa beating the West Indies in the final. Two years later, New Zealand defeated India in Kenya.

In 2002 the name was changed to the ICC Champions Trophy to reflect a new format. After a thrilling semi-final between India and South Africa, unseasonal rains prevented the completion of the much-anticipated final between India and the hosts Sri Lanka.

Edgbaston, The Oval and The Rose Bowl will each host five matches during the 2004 tournament.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2004 is part of the ICC's long-term commercial partnership with the Global Cricket Corporation. The Global Partners for the event are LG Electronics, Pepsi, Hutchison and Hero Honda.