No 'Sudden death' at World Cup final (2 April 1999)

2 April 1999

No 'Sudden death' at World Cup final

Reggie Fernando in London

Unlike in the past - since the Cricket World Cup commenced in 1975 - if there is no outright winner this much coveted trophy will be shared.

According to reports Cricket's World Cup final will not be subjected to the lottery of a bowl-out after organisers saw the agonies suffered by football players at France '98.

The events that led to the decision that there will never be a 'Sudden Death' at the Cricket World Cup, is, after event manager Michael Browning returned to London having been in the stands when Holland lost their World Cup semi-final to Brazil last summer.

The match went to a penalty shoot-out after the teams had been locked at 1-1 after extra time.

Crucial penalty misses by Ronald de Boer and Philip Cocu cost Holland a place in the final.

The drama left a deep impression on Browning, who vowed never to subject the world's best cricketers to such a sobering experience when Alec Stewart's England side slug it out with the 11 other finalists this summer.

As a direct result, Browning has banned sudden-death bowl-outs - the traditional method for ending cricket's limited overs deadlocked cup ties - from playing regulations laid down for the tournament which starts in May.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)