Mani promises 'most competitive Champions Trophy'

Fearing that the forthcoming Champions Trophy could lose much of its star value, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has reminded its member boards of their commitment to send their best teams for the event.

The ICC also scotched speculation that this would be the last edition of the tournament, particulary after India criticised its long-drawn schedule and expressed reluctance to participate in such events which they said were nothing but a waste of time and money. "We have no knowledge of any country not sending its best team. In fact, all member countries are committed to send their best teams available for the championship," Ehsan Mani, the ICC president, told Press Trust of India. "This is the second most important event in the ICC calendar and we expect all the top players to be a part of it." Mani said reacting to recent reports that Australia and England may not field their full strength sides in view of the Ashes series.

The Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held at four venues in India from October 7 to November 5 while the Ashes is slated to begin from November 22. But Mani did not think that Australia would hold back its top players for a tournament which they have never won in four previous editions. "I am quite sure that Australia will be there in full strength. They are determined to win this one. I am sure it would be the most competitive Champions Trophy till date."

Mani, who will relinquish his post at the end of the year, said the ICC would ensure there is no repeat of the ambush marketing controversy which has dogged this tournament in the last two editions. "We are taking all safeguards to ensure it does not happen again." It was the ambush clause which had threatened to derail the last edition in England after it emerged that the personal contracts of some Indian players were in direct conflict to the interests of the official sponsors.

This time, ICC preempted the problem by rejecting venues like Delhi because of their existing in stadia contracts with other sponsors. Mani also said the world body was banking on India's immense support base to ensure that the tournament turns out to be a huge success. "Asia, and particularly India, is an important partner of ICC. It is the largest cricket playing country. It was our intention to hold the Champions Trophy in India in 2002. AC Muthiah (former president of the Indian board) was very keen for it but because of the uncertainties involved in tax exemption, we had to defer it. I am thankful to the Indian government for reaching out and granting us exemption this time around.

"The tax exemption was an important factor in determining the location for this event and the Indian government's decision is a massive boost to the game of cricket all over the world." Asked whether the ICC was considering changing the format of the Champions Trophy in view of criticism that it defied the original concept of being a short knock-out tournament, he said, ICC did not believe in setting hard and fast rules.

Mani dismissed suggestions that the championship was ill-timed and that the dew factor would have a huge bearing given that all the matches would be day-night affairs. "The timing of this tournament is hugely significant for all participating teams. It is a chance for players in every side to secure their places, it will give teams the opportunity to test their strategies and look at potential World Cup rivals. It will also offer followers of the game an insight into how each team is progressing. We decided to have all matches as day-night affairs in order to have an element of consistency. I think the relevance of dew would be much less at that time of the year as compared to the period between January and March."