ICC to decide on 2011 World Cup host next year

A decision on the host country for the 2011 World Cup will be made next year, the ICC announced on Tuesday.

Australia was considered a front-runner to stage the game's showpiece tournament, but reports have said a push has come from the subcontinent's four cricketing nations - India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh - because they generate more funds for world cricket than Australia.

"No decision was made on awarding any event to any country or countries post-2007 and no submissions to stage any such events were received," the ICC said in a statement after the meeting. "It was agreed that any country or countries wishing to be awarded an ICC event would have to provide evidence of compliance in four key areas related to holding such an event - tax, facilities, visas and venues."

The ICC board also discussed an invitation from the Organising Committee for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi for cricket to take part in the Games. There was an update on the potential role of Twenty20 cricket in international cricket and a discussion on the feasibility of changing from the current five-year playing calendar to a six-year calendar. The ICC's board said it had asked India's board (BCCI) to meet with the local organising committee for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi to discuss cricket's participation in the event and the appropriate format.

The BCCI was asked to come back to the ICC's board with its recommendations concerning crickets participation in the Games. The ICC also said it was encouraged by a report on the practicality of replacing the current five-year international playing calendar with a six-year schedule. The board asked its management to continue its work on the subject and the matter will be discussed again in March at the next board meeting.