Knockout World Cup likely in US (24 Oct 1997)

October 24, 1997

Knockout World Cup likely in US

The Press

A one-off knockout World Cup cricket contest is likely to be played next year with Disneyworld in Florida the proposed venue.

It is suggested the tournament will be played in early October soon after the Commonwealth Games, the schedule of international test nations permitting. Money raised from the event will go toward the game's development, International Cricket Committee executive member Christopher Doig said yesterday.

Doig, New Zealand Cricket's chief executive, who recently returned from an ICC meeting in Islamabad, said a site in Orlando where Disneyland is located is the preferred venue.

However, Doig said no stadium had yet been built and if it had not been constructed in time, India, would probably host the competition.

"There are still one or two hurdles to clear with regard to sponsorship and television, but the countries want it to go ahead."

Doig said getting a venue in the United States was needed for the West Indies hopes of staging future World Cups. It was also important to develop a television market for the game in America.

The event, because of its knockout nature, would only last little more than a week, with the nine test-playing nations involved.

Meanwhile, Doig was not optimistic of New Zealand teams gaining entry to Australian domestic competitions in the near future.

Coach Steve Rixon has suggested North and South Island teams could play in the Australian one-day championship.

"It's worth a try and I always raise the issue when I'm talking across the Tasman."

However, he felt Australia was unlikely to interrupt its busy domestic season schedule to accommodate New Zealand teams. Doig was more hopeful of an early-season one-day series between the one-day state or provincial champions of New Zealand, South Africa, India and Australia being staged in the future, probably in South Africa.

New Zealand will not follow Australia's lead in selecting differing test and one-day teams. Australia is working towards separate sides with specialists for each.

Mark Taylor, who is likely to captain Australia against New Zealand in the forthcoming test series, is unlikely to lead the side in the following one-day series.

"We don't have the depth and don't play as much cricket as Australia," Doig said.

Source :: The Canterbury Press (https://www.press.co.nz/)