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.
ICC Champions Trophy England 2004 schedule:
DATE FIXTURE POOL VENUE
Friday 10 September England v Zimbabwe D Edgbaston
New Zealand v USA A The Oval
Saturday 11 September India v Kenya C The Rose Bowl
Sunday 12 September South Africa v Bangladesh B Edgbaston
Monday 13 September Australia v USA A The Rose Bowl
Tuesday 14 September Pakistan v Kenya C Edgbaston
Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe D The Oval
Wednesday 15 September West Indies v Bangladesh B The Rose Bowl
Thursday 16 September Australia v New Zealand A The Oval
Friday 17 September Sri Lanka v England D The Rose Bowl
Saturday 18 September South Africa v West Indies B The Oval
Sunday 19 September India v Pakistan C Edgbaston
Tuesday 21 September Winner A v Winner D Semi Final 1 Edgbaston
Wednesday 22 September Winner B v Winner C Semi Final 2 The Rose Bowl
Saturday 25 September Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 FINAL The Oval
Schedule by venue - EDGBASTON
DATE FIXTURE POOL
Friday 10 September England v Zimbabwe D
Sunday 12 September South Africa v Bangladesh B
Tuesday 14 September Pakistan v Kenya C
Sunday 19 September India v Pakistan C
Tuesday 21 September Winner A v Winner D Semi Final 1
Schedule by venue - THE OVAL
DATE FIXTURE POOL
Friday 10 September New Zealand v USA A
Tuesday 14 September Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe D
Thursday 16 September Australia v New Zealand A
Saturday 18 September South Africa v West Indies B
Saturday 25 September Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 FINAL
Schedule by venue - THE ROSE BOWL
DATE FIXTURE POOL
Saturday 11 September India v Kenya C
Monday 13 September Australia v USA A
Wednesday 15 September West Indies v Bangladesh B
Friday 17 September Sri Lanka v England D
Wednesday 22 September Winner B v Winner C Semi Final 2
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Pool
A
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Pool B
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Pool C
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Pool D
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Australia
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South Africa
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Pakistan
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Sri Lanka
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New Zealand
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West Indies
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India
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England
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United States of America
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Bangladesh
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Kenya
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Zimbabwe
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For further information on tickets, venues, the trophy and the history of the ICC Champions Trophy visit the official ICC website, www.icc.cricket.org
For further information:
| Brendan
McClements |
Jon
Long |
| General
Manager - Corporate Affairs |
Project
Officer - Corporate Affairs |
| Tel:
+ 44 (0) 20 7266 1818 |
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7266 7912 |
| Mobile:
+ 44 (0) 7786 194974 |
Mobile:
+ 44 (0) 7946 545090 |
|
|
E Mail: jon.long@icc-cricket.com |
