ICC World Cup Cricket 2011 Opening Match “Bangladesh Vs India”

In this ICC World Cup Cricket Bangladesh vs India will be the opening match. This match you will enjoy live with us. According with Bangladeshis this is a golden match for Bangladesh team with a golden eleven.History says that Bangladesh won only two matches against India and India won twenty matches against Bangladesh. They played total 22 One day International. Bangladesh won a match against India in last World Cup cricket.

Bangladesh eleven from – Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Tamim Iqbal (Vice-Captain), Shamsur Rahman, Nazim Uddin, Zahurul Isalm, Sagir Hossen, Shahadat Hossen,Syad Rasel, Mahbubul Islam, Dollar Mahmud, Mithun, Nasir Hossen, Shuvagoto home, Sabbir Rahman, Alok Kapali, Enamul Haq,Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Mohammad Ashraful, Zunaed Shiddiki, Imrul Kayes, Rakibul Hasan,Musfiqur Rahim, Nayem Islam, Rubel Hossen, Shafiul Islam, Abdur Razzak, Md. Soharuardi,Shariar Nafees,

Indian eleven from -  Shikhar Dhawan.MS Dhoni, Parthiv Patel, Wriddhiman Saha, Dinesh Karthik, Harbhajan Singh, R Ashwin,Amit Mishra, Piyush Chawla, Pragyan Ojha, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, S Sreesanth,Munaf Patel, Ishant Sharma, Vinay Kumar, Praveen Kumar,Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Ajinkya Rahane, Sourav Tiwary,M Vijay, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara.

Opening Venue of ICC Cricket World Cup: Mirpur National Stadium

Cricket is the most popular game in Bangladesh. People are so much crazy about this game. Its like a festival in Bangladesh. Every people trying to get single world cup cricket, but only few ticket was went for sold. Most number of people don’t get any ticket. Because of the capacity of those stadium. Mirpur and Chitagang stadium spectetor capacity is 25000 and 19000.

Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla stadium past capacity is 29000, but ICC regulatory team said to put chairs for this world cup. That’s why site is going sort of 4000. But its look very beautiful. New looks makes this stadium very gorgius. Big scring satteled in the fild, flad-light is going ready,shed put on the stand,chairs put on every corner on this stadium. New side scring tested by Bangladesh vs Zimbabui ODI serise.

World Cup Vanue

Some outside work not finish yet. It’s need few more weeks. BCB says they will hand-over this stadium on time. Road and other works is going very quickly. Now everyone wait for world cup opening match at mirpur and this is the Big Match!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bangladesh Vs India Live & Exclisive 19 February 2011…..

World Cup Cricket 2011 Opening Ceremony Live Telecast

February 17; the day of opening ceremony of ICC World Cup Cricket 2011. It will be held on Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Opening ceremony of ICC World Cup Cricket 2011 will be start as like a festival. This is Opening ceremony of World Cup Cricket will fascinated with types of enjoy items in accordance with BCB, plays by Bangladeshi. This World Cup 14 teams will participate and many more International VIP will come.

Government of Bangladesh will take an action about security system. Bangladeshi RAB,Police and Army will control this security system. 8 matches will played in Bangladesh. Sher-e-Bangla Stadium will be the opening stadium and Zahurul Hoque Stadium, Chittagong is the another.Narayengong Fatulla Stadium and another 3 stadiums are in list. ICC World Cup Opening Ceremony 2011 now designed with many programs. Many singers will come from Indians and Bangladeshis also participate with this programs. Decoration of Dhaka city wil start soon. Tomorrow a meeting was held between many private organizations and with public organizations. It is said that is one month enough for decoration? One of the persons confirm it that it is enough for them.

Masrafee Won’t Play 2011 Cricket World Cup

Masrafee a central bollower and a team member of Bangladesh Cricket. He is now unable to play  2011 Cricket World Cup. He guessed that BCB wil declare 1st eleven with his but tomorrow BCB declare 1st eleven without his. He was in practice and then heard this news. Then he silently gone his home. This is shocking that he cant play this home world cup. Alok Kapali a dangerous player for home ground and local leagues. Previous leagues he acquire three fifties and his average was so smart. People want to get him replacing Mohammad Ashraful but selection board select Ashraful for this world cup. With many obstacles tomorrow 1pm BCB declare this home world cup 1st eleven. Now seeing thing is that is this team will perfect for world cup or struggle? Two of the board selection member wanted to resigned but it is very much unfair that members resigned before announcing 1st eleven team.

West Indies Squad For 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup

West Indies have take back batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan for the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. He had been missing out of the national team’s rain-marred tour of Sri Lanka last year at December. Sarwan last played as a National West Indies cricket team  in the ODI series at home ground  against South Africa in May and June last year and was then dropped due to fitness causes and uncaring form on the domestic route. The World Cup 2011 team will be led by Darren Sammy and also includes fast-bowling all rounder Andre Russell and this is his first ODI that he will be play in South Asia next month.

2011 ICC Cricket World Cup: Team West Indies

West Indies squad:

• Darren Sammy (capt),
• Chris Gayle,
• Dwayne Bravo,
• Darren Bravo,
• Kieron Pollard,
• Ramnaresh Sarwan,
• Devon Smith,
• Sulieman Benn,
• Nikita Miller,
• Carlton Baugh (wk),
• Andre Rusell,
• Ravi Rampaul,
• Kemar Roach,
• Shivnarine Chanderpaul,
• Adrian Barath.

Note:West Indies will play there first match against South Africa in Delhi on 24 February 2011, Netherlands on 28 February,Bangladesh on 04 March,Ireland on 11 March,England on 17 March and India on 20 March 2011.

ICC world Cup 2011:Bangladesh Announce 15 members Squad Today

Today Bangladesh announce their 15 members final ICC cricket world cup squad. BCB final their team squad 2 days ago, but they wait for Mashrafe Bin Mortaza’s medicle report and what trainer and bowling cotch says. Head coach Jemi Sidones said last night, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza will not in this squad because of his injury since 1 month.He can not bowl full run-up in the filed. Every one look foreword to BCB. Former captains wants Mashrafe Bin Mortaza’s experience in this world cup. Australia and India were also announced their squad included more then one injured players. So Why Bangladesh miss Mashrafe Bin Mortaza’s experience in this world cup! Today any time BCB announced the Final Squad but already some Daily News Papers announced 15 members team yesterday. IF this team was final before, then Mashrafe Bin Mortaza can not play this year world cup. BCB  announced 23 members primary squad and they pick their team from this

ICC Cricket World Cup:Team Bangladesh

23 Members Squad-

Shakib Al Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza, Tamim Iqbal, Mohammad Ashraful, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Roqibul Hassan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Nazmul Hossain, Naeem Islam, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Abdur Razzak, Suhrawadi Shuvo, Shahriar Nafees, Jahirul Islam, Syed Rasel, Shahadat Hossain, Mahbubul Alam, Dolar Mahmud, Shabbir Rahman, Alok Kapali.

Final Squad:

Shakib Al Hasan(c), Tamim Iqbal(vc), Mushfiqur Rahim, Abdur Razzak, Junaid Siddique, Shahriar Nafees, Mahmudullah, Naeem Islam, Suhrawadi Shuvo, Mohammad Ashraful, Roqibul Hassan, Shafiul Islam,  Nazmul Hossain, Imrul Kayes, Rubel Hossain.

Pakistan 15 Members Cricket World Cup Squad

Pakistan Cricket Board PCB didn’t mension any captain and vice-captain for this world cup. Mohammad Yousuf were not include in this world cup squad, but Younus Khan and Shoaib Akhtar this two include in this squad. Shoaib Aktar was not played last world cup for injury and dope test failures. In last world cup, Pakistan walked out in group stage and last played final in 1999.

Pakistan World Cup Squad

Pakistan World Cup squad:

• Shahid Afridi,
• Misbah-ul-Haq,
• Mohammad Hafeez,
• Ahmed Shehzad,
• Kamran Akmal,
• Younus Khan,
• Asad Shafiq,
• Umar Akmal,
• Abdul Razzaq,
• Abdur Rehman,
• Saeed Ajmal,
• Shoaib Akhtar,
• Wahab Riaz,
• Umar Gul,
• Sohail Tanvir

2011 Cricket World Cup Opening Ceremony

The next big thing for cricket lovers is the 2011 world cup. Easily counted amongst the most happening sports extravaganzas of all times the cricket world cup occurs once in every four years.

The 2011 cricket world cup is scheduled to begin on the 19th of February. The 2011 cricket world cup is co hosted by three countries namely India Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The much awaited sports carnival will began with much jubilation with a grand opening ceremony. The opening ceremony will be held on the 17th of February, just two days before the start of the first match of the 2011 cricket world cup.

The venue for the ceremony is the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka. The events scheduled to take place in the opening ceremony are yet to be disclosed.

This is the tenth cricket world cup and it is for the first time that the opening ceremony will be held in Bangladesh. Since all three nations share almost the same kind of sentiments for the game of cricket the 2011 world cup is a moment of pride for all the three nations.

Since the opening and closing ceremonies of such events generally happen on a very large scale it is expected that the tourism of Bangladesh will receive a boost and this will in turn help to improve the economy of the country. Since it is Bangladesh that will lift the curtains of the 2011 world cup all eyes are fixed on the country.

People and specially cricket enthusiasts all across the globe have a lot of expectations from the country and hope that they make the event worth remembering.

Pepsi plans to 'change the game' of cricket

Ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup, PepsiCo India has launched a high decibel and path-breaking campaign called 'Change the Game'.  “Change the Game is a big idea in the context of cricket. With this campaign, we will inspire the youth to ‘change the game’, be innovative, take risks and do things differently even if it has not been done before. We are the official sponsors of the ICC World Cup, but with this campaign we also want to be the official sponsors of everything that is unorthodox, exciting, innovative about cricket,” said, Sandeep Singh Arora, executive vice-president, marketing, cola, PepsiCo India.

Calling ICC Cricket World Cup the single biggest event that unifies millions of passionate 'youngistaanis', Deepika Warrier, marketing director, PepsiCo Beverages, India, said, “Our 'Change the Game' campaign celebrates the same passion and the newage mantra of cricket, which is irreverent, unorthodox, fun, challenging and unmistakably Pepsi.”

He further said, “We are confident that the unique campaign will appeal to the youth and inspire them to be the game changers in their own lives.”  Agnello Dias, creative director, Taproot India, said, “Pepsi has always been the fearless voice of uninhibited youth. A belief that needed to be interpreted even as the official partner of the event. Only Pepsi could turn this official status on its head by standing up for the brave new, unorthodox face of the modern game. The unplugged, organic face of contemporary cricket that is a reflective of everything that the youth of today live by. That it's not the textbook that matters but the result at the end of the day. Because the game can always change.”

The campaign is being launched across various mediums and channels to ensure complete 3D activation across all verticals. It will be supported by a 360-degree approach including thematic ATL and outdoor, consumer engagement programmes, special edition packaging, in-stadia amplification and digital engagement programmes.

Samit Patel threw away England World Cup place, says Andy Flower

Samit Patel has thrown away an England World Cup place because he has been unwilling to work on his fitness, it was revealed today.

England's coach, Andy Flower, said: "It is very frustrating but only the individual is responsible for that. Samit was chosen in the [provisional 30-man] squad because his type of player would be very useful in the subcontinent. He was chosen on the condition that he would improve his physical state to be in consideration for this squad of 15. He hasn't done that."

The Nottinghamshire all-rounder had been included in the provisional party for next month's World Cup on condition that he improved his fitness; but his name was missing when the list was culled to 15 earlier today.

Flower added: "All we were saying was 'get into reasonable shape'. It didn't have to be perfect. In fact, all we wanted to see was an improvement, but a significant improvement.

"We don't expect any of our guys to be perfect, physically, but we do expect them to work hard and it is an indication of your mindset and how much you want to play for England, how you are able to discipline yourself. You have to make good decisions to get yourself into good physical shape. We want tough, determined cricketers playing for England and he is not indicating that he is capable of that."

Patel, 26, played all his 11 ODIs in 2008, when Kevin Pietersen was the England captain. As a hard-hitting but orthodox batsman and parsimonious left-arm spinner he immediately impressed, and took five for 41 against South Africa at The Oval.

As a more gifted cricketer than James Tredwell, he would almost certainly have edged into England's 15 for the World Cup had he shown a willingness to work on his fitness.

Patel was dropped from the England fold in March 2009 and warned about his weight and on 19 January, 2010, exactly a year before today's news, the national selector Geoff Miller warned the player that he would not play international cricket again unless he got into shape.

Miller said then: "He knows what is required. We explained to him and had many conversations with him.

"If he can go and discipline himself and get himself ready for what is required in international cricket then we'll revisit. But the ball is in his court now and he has to go away and understand what is necessary.

"He's being helped all the time but it's a situation when you work on fitness that you have to help yourself.

"He's had the message delivered by me and the coach and the captain so he knows what is required and he must go away and do that."

Flower added: "It would be sad if he looks back on his career and he hasn't done something that everyone is capable of. Everyone is capable of hard work, it just takes a bit of discipline."

Cricket World Cup 2011: Matt Prior out to make one-day job his own

There is a vitality about Matt Prior that suggests Duracell has dumped its bunny and is using him to advertise its long-life batteries. He was reinstalled in the England changing room yesterday and energy levels that might have dipped in Tasmania's quiet beauty moved upwards.

The man who could have put his boots up after a gruelling and personally satisfying Ashes series opted, instead, to play for Victoria's Bushrangers in the Twenty20 Big Bash.

Now he is back, in place of the dropped Steven Davies, to play in England's remaining six ODIs against Australia and, beyond that, the World Cup, which will begin in February and drag its feet into April, like a house guest who will not go away.

This is Prior's fourth incarnation as England's one-day wicketkeeper-batsman and this time, like his mentor Alec Stewart, he intends to take out a long lease on the role. "I am delighted to be here," he said. "I said from the minute I was dropped that I wanted to get back, that I would go back to Sussex and work on my game, hopefully improve my game, and come back a better player. Thankfully I have that opportunity to show where I have improved and hopefully I can make that place my own."

There was a time when a wicketkeeper knew his place. And it wasn't only behind the stumps. He was the dogsbody of the team who did most of the fielding and hardly got a bat at the end. Now, it seems, every wicketkeeper is the exception.

He is expected not only to bat, but to bat well and often aggressively. He must also be the side's cheerleader and primary energy source.

The England coach, Andy Flower, made it clear this week that Prior was being brought back not only because he would be a physically stronger batsman on the flat tracks of the subcontinent but also because "he suits the high-energy fielding game that the team have developed over the last couple of years".

Prior, who last played one-day cricket for England almost a year ago, said: "Hopefully the batting will look after itself. But from a fielding point of view, certainly from the Test matches, I have taken it on myself to almost manage the fielding unit, and I know it's my role to manage the intensity and energy levels.

"Fielding is something this squad takes a lot of pride in and the standards we set ourselves are something we take a lot of pride in as well.

"I think the keeper's role in this day and age is to make sure you manage and make sure you are the person that makes sure those standards stay where they need to be. It's a role in the Test matches I enjoy and it's what I will continue doing in one-day cricket."

Most of all, though, this England one-day side needs a high energy level at the top of the order. Prior was once considered too orthodox a batsman to meet the innovatory demands of the shorter game. But there is no doubting his clean striking ability. "I don't think I have to change my game hugely from how I play in Test cricket. Obviously there will be times when I need to take more risks."

He has fond memories of his brief adventure with Victoria's Bushrangers. "I was quite nervous as the overseas player, especially an Englishman going into the opposition dressing room. But they couldn't do enough for me.

"It was awesome to work with a different coach as well, with different ideas on the game, and different senior players. I sat down and had a couple of beers with Peter Siddle, so that was great. He has ended up being a really good bloke as well, so that was good.

"It was an eye-opener going into a different dressing room, certainly an Australian dressing room, and seeing their attitudes on cricket and different situations. That's why I was so keen to get involved. I want to keep learning, I want to keep getting better and that's one of the ways of doing it."

The despondent Davies, meanwhile, is plotting his own return to the side. "Naturally I'm very disappointed to miss out on selection for the World Cup, and it's been a tough couple of days, but all I can do is accept the decision the selectors have made and continue to work hard to get back into the England side.

"I'm aware that there are areas of my game I need to work on and intend to spend the next few months doing just that and prove to the selectors that I have the ability to perform at the highest level in international cricket." If Prior has his way, the Surrey keeper is in for a long wait.

Cricket World Cup 2011 squads in full

The 14 teams to contest the World Cup are obliged to name their 15-man squads no later than Wednesday 19 January ahead of next month's tournament in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh host India in the opening group game at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Dhaka on 19 February.

Australia

Batsmen: Ponting (capt), Clarke, D Hussey, M Hussey, White. All-rounders: Hastings, Smith, Watson. Wicketkeepers: Haddin, Paine. Bowlers: Bollinger, Hauritz, Johnson, Lee, Tait.

Bangladesh

Batsmen: Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Ashraful, Shahriar Nafees, Tamim Iqbal, Raqibul Hasan. All-rounders: Mahmudullah, Naeem Islam, Shakib Al Hasan (capt). Wicketkeeper: Mushfiqur Rahim. Bowlers: Nazmul Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Suhrawadi Shuvo, Abdur Razzak.

Canada

Preliminary squad: Ashish Bagai (capt), Ahmad, Aulakh, Akshay Bagai, Baidwan, Bastiampillai, Bhatti, Broadhurst, Cheema, Chohan, Davison, Desai, J Gordon, T Gordon, Gunasekera, Hansra, Jyoti, Kumar, Limbada, Osinde, Patel, Pervez, Rao, Manrick Singh, J Siddiqui, Z Siddiqui, Surkari, Tariq, Whatham, Zaheer.

England

Batsmen: Strauss (capt), Bell, Morgan, Pietersen, Trott. All-rounders: Bresnan, Collingwood, Wright, Yardy. Wicketkeeper: Prior. Bowlers: Anderson, Broad, Shahzad, Swann, Tredwell.

India

Batsmen: Gambhir, Kohli, Raina, Sehwag, Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh. All-rounders: Y Pathan. Wicketkeeper: Dhoni (capt). Bowlers: Ashwin, Chawla, Harbajhan Singh, Kumar, Nehra, M Patel, Khan.

Ireland

Batsmen: E Joyce, Porterfield (capt). All-rounders: Botha, Cusack, Johnston, Jones, K O'Brien, Van der Merwe, White. Wicketkeepers: N O'Brien, Wilson. Bowlers: Dockrell, J Mooney, Stirling, Rankin.

Kenya

Batsmen: Mishra, Obanda, R Patel, Tikolo, Waters. All-rounders: C Oboya, Kamande (capt), Odoyo. Wicketkeepers: D Oboya, Ouma. Bowlers: J Ngoche, S Ngoche, Odhiambo, Ongondo, E Otieno.

Holland

Batsmen: Cooper, De Grooth, Kervezee, Swarczynski, Zuiderent. All-rounders: Borren (capt), Bukhari, Ten Doeschate. Wicketkeepers: Baressi, Buurman. Bowlers: Kruger, Loots, Raja, Seelaar, Westdijk.

New Zealand

Batsmen: Guptill, How, Ryder, Taylor, Williamson. All-rounders: Franklin, N McCullum, Oram, Styris, Vettori (capt), Woodcock. Wicketkeeper: B McCullum. Bowlers: Bennett, Mills, Southee.

Pakistan

Batsmen: Ahmed Shehzad, Asad Shafiq, Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Akmal, Younis Khan. All-rounders: Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi. Wicketkeeper: Kamran Akmal. Bowlers: Abdur Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Akhtar, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz.

South Africa

Batsmen: Amla, Duminy, Du Plessis, Ingram, Smith (capt). All-rounders: Kallis, R Peterson. Wicketkeepers: De Villiers, Van Wyk. Bowlers: Botha, M Morkel, Parnell, Steyn, Tahir, Tsotsobe.

Sri Lanka

Batsmen: Dilshan, M Jayawardene, Kapugedera, Samaraweera, C Silva, Tharanga. All-rounders: Mathews, T Perera. Wicketkeeper: Sangakkara (capt). Bowlers: Fernando, Herath, Kulasekara, Malinga, A Mendis, Muralitharan.

West Indies

Batsmen: Barath, DM Bravo, Chanderpaul, Gayle, Sarwan, DS Smith. All-rounders: DJ Bravo, Pollard. Wicketkeeper: Baugh. Bowlers: Benn, Miller, Rampaul, Roach, Russell, Sammy (capt).

Zimbabwe

Batsmen: Coventry, C Ervine, Taylor, Williams. All-rounders: Chigumbura (capt), S Ervine, Lamb. Wicketkeepers: Chakabva, Taibu. Bowlers: Cremer, S Masakadza, Mpofu, Price, Rainsford, Utseya.

ICC Cricket World Cup - 2011 Music Concert

The ‘ICC Cricket World Cup - 2011 Music Concert’ held at Galle Face Green drew crowds of over 200,000 people as the first 15 squad and a host of popular local and international artistes ramped the stage. B n S, Iraj, Chula, Chilli, Lahiru, Rookantha and Chandralekha and the Channa and Upuli ensemble were some of the artistes who performed to make the evening a memorable one.

ICC World Cup 2011: Australia name Michael Hussey in final squad

ICC World Cup 2011: Australia name Michael Hussey in final squad

Mr. Cricket Michael Hussey has been picked in the final 15-member Australian World Cup squad even after suffering a hamstring injury in the first One Day International against England on Sunday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

According to the physiotherapist of the Australian team, Alex Kountouris, the player has suffered a hamstring injury. Talking about Hussey, he said, “Scans have confirmed that Mike Hussey sustained a significant left hamstring injury during the first ODI against England at the MCG. The course of management for this injury will be determined in the next 24 hours.”

Cricket Australia would be hoping for an early recovery of the lower middle order batsman. Before the announcement of the World Cup squad, there were rumours that Hussey may not be named in the World Cup squad due to his injury. However, Australia’s cricket governing body has decided to stick with the experience of Hussey and hopes that he manages to return to full fitness by the time the World Cup begins on 19 February, 2011.

Hussey, who has not been in the greatest of forms, was seen struggling to find good touch with the bat during the later half of the 2010-11 Ashes series. He still seemed out of touch as he scored just 21 runs in the first ODI at the MCG on Sunday.

Cricket Australia also decided to retain Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke in the squad. Ponting is currently nursing a broken finger, an injury that he sustained in the third Ashes match at the Western Australian Cricket Association Ground, Perth. Clarke, on the other hand, is also struggling with his form and has not been able to score big runs throughout the 2010-11 season.

The players to miss 2011 World Cup include the experienced batsman Brad Hodge and young spinner Xavier Doherty. Doherty was fancied by many to make it to the World Cup and his exclusion might be a shock for the likes of former veteran spinner Shane Warne, who had supported the prospects of Doherty in the Australian cricket outfit.

The chairman National Selection Panel, Andrew Hilditch supported the selection of the team and hoped that the national squad would retain its World Cup title. “The NSP has selected a squad we believe is capable of winning a fourth successive ICC Cricket World Cup in sub-continental conditions. As the world's number one ranked one-day team and as the holders of both the ICC Cricket World Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy, Australia has been planning for this tournament for some time and we feel this side is well balanced,” he reiterated.

The NSP chairman further justifying the selection said, “One of the major decisions to be made in this squad was ensuring the balance was right in the squad to provide the best cover for all positions in the event of injury, illness or form issues that may arise.”

Australia’s 15-member squad for the World Cup: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke (vice captain), Doug Bollinger, Brad Haddin (wicketkeeper), John Hastings, Nathan Hauritz, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Tim Paine (wicketkeeper), Steve Smith, Shaun Tait, Shane Watson, Cameron White.

15-member squad for ICC World Cup 2011 announced

Brushing aside injury worries, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee, headed by its chairman K Srikkanth, today announced a 15-member squad for the 2011 ICC World Cup to be played in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh from February 19 to April 2.

The selectors took into consideration the fact that spin would make a big difference in winning on wickets in the sub-continents, specially in India, and picked three spinners in Harbhajan Singh, R Ashwin (both off-spinners) and leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, who has been recalled.

India will take on Bangladesh in the opening match to be played in Dhaka on February 19.

The team:
M S Dhoni (Captain), Virendra Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvaraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel, Praveen Kumar, Ashish Nehra, R Ashwin,
Yusuf Pathan and Piyush Chawla.

"It will be a golden moment for me if India wins the cup this time," Srikkanth told journalists after announcing the team.

He and his co-selectors Narendra Hirwani and Surendra Bhave had consulted the other two selectors, Yashpal Sharma and Raja Venkat as well as captain Dhoni, who are in South Africa, in a teleconference.

"I am confident that the team can lift the cup this time. We can do it, why not? If we could win the World Cup almost 22 years back in 1983, then the World Series Cup and the T20 World Cup, we can win also win the cup this time," he said.

"I will not answer this question. Be positive. Injuries are part and parcel of a player's career," he remarked when asked about injuries to key players like Tendulkar, Sehwag, Gambhir, Praveen Kumar and skipper Dhoni himself.

"There are no surprises, we have picked a sensible team, taking into consideration the opponents, how they will play and the strategy to win the Cup," he added.

Tahir and van Wyk picked for World Cup

 

Imran Tahir, the Pakistan-born legspinner, is the only uncapped player named in South Africa's World Cup squad. Reserve wicketkeeper Morne van Wyk is a surprise inclusion in the final XV while there is no room for David Miller.

Tahir's inclusion means that South Africa have five spin options in their bowling attack, a sign that they have moulded the squad to suit subcontinent conditions. Tahir only became eligible to play South Africa on New Year's Day and has yet to make his debut but his inexperience at international level is not bothering the selectors. "It is not a worry that Tahir has not played an ODI yet," Andrew Hudson, convenor of selectors, said. "The conditions in South Africa have been more suited to seam bowling and his record in domestic cricket both in South Africa and England speaks for itself. We know exactly what he offers us."

Faf du Plessis, the allrounder who made his debut against India on Tuesday night, is the other legspinner in the squad, giving South Africa an option they have not had at a World Cup before. du Plessis scored a classy 60 in his first match, although he struggled with cramp and received treatment on his forearm. He spent some time off the field but later returned and bowled an over. "I am very happy with Faf du Plessis' debut and form. He gives us a leg-spinning option as well and is an outstanding fielder."

du Plessis will replace Miller at number six or seven in the batting line-up. Miller has been inconsistent since making his debut against the West Indies in May 2010. Although he is a clean hitter of the ball, he has struggled in the current series against India, scoring just 36 runs in two innings and his inexperience could well have cost his place. Miller is only 21-years-old and opportunity will no doubt come his way in the future.

Colin Ingram, who came into the national team against Zimbabwe in October last year, after Miller had made his debut, has retained his place. Ingram has been batting at No. 3, in place of the injured Jacques Kallis, and will move down the order when Kallis returns. Kallis suffered a side strain and bruising to his rib during the Test series against India and was left out of the ODI squad for the current in order to recover. Kallis is fully fit for the World Cup. "CSA's Medical Committee are happy with Kallis' progress and he will be ready to play a full role with both bat and ball from the start of the tournament."

Kallis will form part of a battery of five seamers that includes Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and two left-armers in Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Wayne Parnell. Parnell has been the weakest of the five since making a comeback from a groin injury against Pakistan in November last year. He has been battled with his rhythm and accuracy but has been included despite his inexperience. Kallis is the only one of the five bowlers who has played in a World Cup before.

Together with Smith, AB de Villiers and Robin Petersen, Kallis is one of only four survivors from the last World Cup in the West Indies in 2007. Mark Boucher, the only other player from that tournament who could have been recalled was discarded in place of van Wyk.

van Wyk has been rewarded for consistent performances at domestic level and has been preferred to Mark Boucher as the reserve wicketkeeper, essentially signaling the end of Boucher's limited-overs career. van Wyk is also a back-up opening batsman, who could come in handy if one of Graeme Smith or Hashim Amla are indisposed. In 10 matches in this season's MNT40, he scored 323 runs at an average of 35.88, including a match-winning century in the semi-final and undefeated 85 in the final. van Wyk has played six ODIs, the last one against New Zealand in November 2007 and has an average of 32.50.

Squad: Graeme Smith (capt), Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, AB de Villiers (wk), JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Colin Ingram, Jacques Kallis, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Morne van Wyk (wk)

Luke Woodcock in New Zealand World Cup squad

New Zealand have named uncapped allrounder Luke Woodcock in their 15-man squad for the World Cup that begins in the subcontinent on February 19. Jacob Oram, who has been battling to recover from surgery in time for the tournament, has also been included in the mix.

Woodcock, 28, made his international debut in the recent Twenty20 series against Pakistan and was rewarded for his good form for Wellington in New Zealand's domestic one-day tournament, where he is averaging 26.00 with the bat and 20.00 with his left-arm spin. He was the one unfamiliar name in a squad that included six players who competed in the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.

Mark Greatbatch, New Zealand's head selector, backed Woodock's temperament and floated the possibility of playing three spinners - Woodcock, Daniel Vettori and Nathan McCullum.

"Luke Woodcock has worked hard for his chance after forging an impressive record with Wellington over a number of years," Greatbatch said. "He has a good head on his shoulders and his selection provides the option of playing three spinners, which could be useful in the subcontinent."

Oram has been ravaged by injury throughout his career and after a recurrence of a patella-tendon problem during the tri-series in Sri Lanka in August 2010, he opted for surgery with the sole aim of being fit for the World Cup. His big hitting and nagging medium pace made his an ever-present when fit in the New Zealand team and his inclusion was a boost ahead the World Cup.

Hamish Bennett, the 23-year-old fast bowler, was also returning from injury, having picked up a groin strain during his debut Test in India last November. He impressed by bowling around 140kph and adds pace to an attack packed with steady bowlers.

Greatbatch was relieved to have both Oram and Bennett available and felt the squad can continue New Zealand's good record in World Cups. They made the semi-finals in two of the last three tournaments.

"It's great to see the bowling attack bolstered by the return of Jacob Oram and Hamish Bennett, who have both been sidelined with injury," he said. "Jacob has been a key performer over a number of years and his experience will be invaluable at the World Cup. Hamish made a good start to his one-day career and deserves the opportunity now that he is fully fit.

"We have kept faith with the bulk of the team which played the five-match ODI series in India and believe that, despite recent one-day form, the squad is very capable and owe it to themselves and the New Zealand fans to put in a huge performance at the World Cup."

New Zealand are presently playing Pakistan at home and will play six ODIs at the conclusion of the ongoing Test series. Their coaching staff was bolstered by the arrival of Allan Donald, the former South African fast-bowler, as bowling coach.

Squad: Daniel Vettori, Hamish Bennett, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Luke Woodcock.

World Cup 2011 Schedule & Timetable releases

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 will be held by in the sub-continent South Asian countries: India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai will be hosting the final of the Cricket World Cup 2011.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 shedule has been released and the mega event will be held from the 19th of February to the 2nd of April in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

The first match of ICC World Cup 2011 begings between India vs Bangladesh on Feb 19, 2011 onwards.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Teams:
Group A – Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Canada and Kenya.
Group B – India, South Africa, England, Bangladesh, West Indies, Netherlands and Ireland.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Schedule or Timetable:

1. 19 February (14.00) – India vs Bangladesh – Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium, Dhaka

2. 20 February (09.30) – New Zealand vs Kenya – M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

3. 20 February (14.30) – Sri Lanka vs Canada – Hambantota International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota

4. 21 February (14.00) – Australia vs Zimbabwe – Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad

5. 22 February (14.30) – England vs Netherlands – Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur

6. 23 February (14.30) – Pakistan vs Kenya – Hambantota International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota

7. 24 February (14.30) – South Africa vs West Indies – Feroz Shah Kotla, New Delhi

8. 25 February (14.30) – Australia vs New Zealand – Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur

9. 25 February (09.30) – Bangladesh vs Ireland – Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium, Dhaka

10. 26 February (14.30) – Sri Lanka vs Pakistan – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

11. 27 February (14.30) – India vs England – Eden Gardens, Kolkata

12. 28 February (14.30) – West Indies vs Netherlands – Feroz Shah Kotla, New Delhi

13. 28 February (09.30) – Zimbabwe vs Canada – Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur

14. 01 March (14.30) – Sri Lanka vs Kenya – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

15. 02 March (14.30) – England vs Ireland – M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

16. 03 March (09.30) – South Africa vs Netherlands – Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali

17. 03 March (14.30) – Pakistan vs Canada – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

18. 04 March (09.30) – New Zealand vs Zimbabwe – Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad

19. 04 March (14.30) – Bangladesh vs West Indies – Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium, Dhaka

20. 05 March (14.30) – Sri Lanka vs Australia – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

21. 06 March (14.30) – India vs Ireland – M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

22. 06 March (09.30) – England vs South Africa – M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

23. 07 March (14.30) – Kenya vs Canada – Feroz Shah Kotla, New Delhi

24. 08 March (14.30) – Pakistan vs New Zealand – Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy

25. 09 March (14.30) – India vs Netherlands – Feroz Shah Kotla, New Delhi

26. 10 March (14.30) – Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe – Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy

27. 11 March (09.30) – West Indies vs Ireland – Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali

28. 11 March (14.30) – Bangladesh vs England – Chittagong Divisional Stadium, Chittagong

29. 12 March (14.30) – India vs South Africa – Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur

30. 13 March (09.30) – New Zealand vs Canada – Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

31. 13 March (14.30) – Australia vs Kenya – M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

32. 14 March (14.30) – Pakistan vs Zimbabwe – Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy

33. 14 March (14.30) – Bangladesh vs Netherlands – Chittagong Divisional Stadium, Chittagong

34. 15 March (14.30) – South Africa vs Ireland – Eden Gardens, Kolkata

35. 16 March (14.30) – Australia vs Canada – M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

36. 17 March (14.30) – England vs West Indies – M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

37. 18 March (14.30) – Sri Lanka vs New Zealand – Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

38. 18 March (09.30) – Ireland vs Netherlands – Eden Gardens, Kolkata

39. 19 March (14.30) – Australia vs Pakistan – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

40. 19 March (09.30) – Bangladesh vs South Africa – Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium, Dhaka

41. 20 March (09:30) – Zimbabwe vs Kenya – Eden Gardens, Kolkata

42. 20 March (14.30) – India vs West Indies – M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

43. 23 March (14.30) – First Quarterfinal (Group A1 vs Group B4) – Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium, Dhaka

44. 24 March (14.30) – Second Quarterfinal (Group A2 vs Group B3) – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

45. 25 March (14.30) – Third Quarterfinal (Group A3 vs Group B2) – Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium, Dhaka

46. 26 March (14.30) – Fourth Quarterfinal (Group A4 vs Group B1) – Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad

47. 29 March (14.30) – First Semifinal (Winner of Match 43 vs Winner of Match 45) – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

48. 30 March (14.30) – Second Semifinal (Winner of Match 44 vs Winner of Match 46) – Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali

49. 02 April (14.30) – Final (Winner of Match 47 vs Winner of Match 48) – Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

The Pepsi World Cup Commercial

India captain Mahender Singh Dhoni is known as much for his changing hairstyles as for his batting exploits on the field. In the run-up to the ICC cricket World Cup 2011, starting next month, it’s the latter that cola company Pepsi Co has focused on for its latest commercial.

Dhoni’s knack of whacking the ball in a wild circular lob — known as the helicopter shot in cricketing circles — is the focus of Pepsi Co India’s latest commercial campaign, with the theme, ‘Change the Game’. “We wanted to focus on the unconventional side of a game that has changed dramatically over the past decade. It also reflects the irreverence of today’s youth and helps in setting the tone and tenor of the game,” remarks Agnello Dias, chairman and co-founder of TapRoot India, the creative agency behind the Pepsi World Cup television commercial campaigns.

In the 40-second TVC, which hit the screens yesterday, Dhoni is shown learning to play the ‘helicopter shot’ on a hay cutter in a village. After he perfects the technique with the help of a villager, he is shown unleashing the same shot in a one-day match against the England cricket team. “Dhoni’s mannerisms on the pitch are synonymous with the current transition in cricket,” adds Dias. Since Pepsi Co is among the official global sponsors of the World Cup, they have planned five commercials with other players, including Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag and Suresh Raina. “It will be a phased roll-out of the commercials,” says Dias.

Hastings in Australia's World Cup squad, Siddle dropped Read more: Hastings in Australia's World Cup squad, Siddle dropped

SYDNEY: Fast bowler Peter Siddle was excluded while inexperienced all-rounder John Hastings found a berth in Australia's 15-man World Cup squad that was announced on Tuesday.

Skipper Ricky Ponting and veteran Michael Hussey were named in the squad despite injuries. Ponting is recovering from a finger fracture while Hussey suffered a serious hamstring injury on Sunday. Hussey will have his rehabilitation programme determined in the next 24 hours but faces a race against the clock to be fit for Australia's World Cup defence.

Siddle and Tasmanian spinner Xavier Doherty were the hard luck stories on Tuesday morning.

Hastings, who has played two games for Australia, has been drafted in to provide all-round cover for Shane Watson.

National Selection Panel (NSP) chairman Andrew Hilditch said that Hasting's versatility edged him ahead of Siddle, Australia's most consistent bowler during the Ashes, and Doherty, the country's best performing slow bowler in domestic 50-over cricket in recent seasons.

"Victorian John Hastings has been selected as he adds variety to our bowling options. We feel his bowling is well suited to subcontinent conditions and his all-round skills with bat and ball add to the flexibility of the squad," said Hildtich.

Injury prone fast bowler Brett Lee also made the final cut after his impressive comeback to ODI cricket last Sunday and will lead Australia's pace attack on the subcontinent.

Shaun Tait will tour despite missing Australia's last match due to back stiffness, while left-arm pair Doug Bollinger and Mitchell Johnson were also picked despite wayward performances in Melbourne. Tim Paine has been named as wicketkeeper Brad Haddin's understudy while also providing support for the top order.

Hilditch said: "One of the major decisions to be made in this squad was ensuring the balance was right in the squad to provide the best cover for all positions in the event of injury, illness or form issues that may arise. It includes the experience of Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Brett Lee, and also some young talent like Steve Smith.

"Shaun Tait, Shane Watson, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson and Brad Haddin were all also part of the victorious 2007 ICC cricket World Cup squad that went unbeaten in the Caribbean, so there is plenty of character in this group of Australian cricketers."

Hilditch said Hauritz is the preferred spin option and his one-day record in India is excellent.

"He will be an important part of our bid for this fourth World Cup. Doug Bollinger has also been a strong performer for us in one-day cricket in India in recent times and we expect him to have a big impact on the tournament. David Hussey has been selected on the back of years of excellent interstate performances in all forms of the game and we feel he will play a crucial role for us in sub-continental conditions and also has the ability to bowl important overs for Australia. Fellow Victorian Cameron White is very important to us in the middle order and he has the ability to dominate with bat.

"Tim Paine richly deserves his selection as he provides a second wicket-keeping option and is also an excellent option for any top order batting position," he said.

Squad:

Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke (vice-captain), Doug Bollinger, Brad Haddin, John Hastings, Nathan Hauritz, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Tim Paine, Steve Smith, Shaun Tait, Shane Watson, Cameron White.

Indian squad for ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 announced

THE BOARD of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) today announced the 15-man final squad for the world's biggest cricketing event ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. Chief selector of BCCI selection committee, Kris Srikkanth and the three other members of the committee picked the team in Chennai this afternoon. MS Dhoni has retained his position as the captain and Virender Sehwag was selected as vice captain.

In the 15-man squad of team India for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, the surprising entrant in the team is abandoned spinner Piyush Chawla. However, young batsman Rohit Sharma and pacer S. Sreesanth missed the train. Selectors have picked eight batsmen, four fast bowlers and three spinners.

The Indian team for the World Cup Cricket 2011 tournament includes MS Dhoni (capt), Virender Sehwag(vice capt), Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, R. Ashwin, Piyush Chawla, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel and Praveen Kumar.

Master blaster and legend of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar will be playing his sixth world cup and will equal the record of former Pakistani captain and batsman Javed Miandad. Miandad has played all the world cups from 1975 to 1996.

India, one of the top contenders of Cricket World Cup 2011 is placed in group 'B' with South Africa, England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Netherlands and Ireland. During the 43 days long event, a total of 49 matches including semi finals and final matches will be played in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

The 10th edition of the World Cup Cricket is going to start from February 19 at Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium in Dhaka whereas the final will be played at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 2.

Three spinners in India's World Cup squad, Rohit Sharma dropped

India included three spinners and dropped Rohit Sharma in their final 15-member squad for the ICC cricket World Cup selected by the five-member selection panel led by K Srikanth in Chennai on Monday.

The list of 30 probables were pruned to half and no big star is left out of the final squad for the mega-event starting February 19.

The top-seven of the Indian batting-order -- Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni -- are in the team as expected and Yusuf Pathan take the all-rounder's berth.

The inspirational Zaheer Khan lead the pace attack and his pacer partners will be the trio of Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel and Praveen Kumar. S Sreesanth and Ishant Sharma failed to make the cut.

Harbhajan Singh will spearhead the slow bowling department with Piyush Chawla and R Ashwin as his spin partner. Amit Mishra and Pragyan Ojha were also vying for the slot.

Just a day before the selection meeting, doubts have arisen over Sachin Tendulkar's availability after he pulled out of the remainder of the ODI series in South Africa as a precautionary measure after sustaining a hamstring injury during Saturday's second match.

But going by indications, the injury is not serious and Tendulkar will be making his sixth World Cup appearance.

Squad

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt/wk), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel, Praveen Kumar, Yusuf Pathan, Piyush Chawla, R Ashwin, Ashish Nehra.

Selectors to pick team India for World Cup Cricket 2011 today

THE CHAIRMAN of the national cricket selection committee, K Srikanth and the three other members of the committee have arrived Chennai to pick the final squad for the biggest cricketing event, ICC World Cup Cricket 2011. The national selectors will select the 15-member Team India out of 30 probables. BCCI announced a 30-man preliminary squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 on December 18.
According to ICC, all the participating nations will have to announce the final squad of 15 players by the 19th of January. The 43 days long Cricket World Cup is going to start from February 19 at Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium in Dhaka between India and Bangladesh.
According to the sources, selectors will select eight to nine batsmen and one extra wicketkeeper. Mahendra Singh Dhoni will lead the Team India in the World Cup 2011. Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh and Virat Kohli are sure to get the berth in World Cup side.
As far as second wicketkeeper is concerned, the fight is between Parthiv Patel and Dinesh Karthik. Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel, S Sreesanth, Praveen Kumar, R Vinay Kumar and Ishant Sharma will vie in the pace department. Pragyan Ojha, Amit Mishra, R Ashwin and Piyush Chawla will contest in the spin department.

PSU insurers in talks with ICC for WC insurance cover

New Delhi: Eyeing a multi-crore deal, four state-run insurers, besides General Insurance Corporation are in talks with ICC for insuring the cricket World Cup 2011 commencing on 19 February.

India will host 27 matches at eight venues, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Punjab, Gujarat and Nagpur.

The state-owned re-insurance firm General Insurance Corporation (GIC) and the four PSU general insurance companies , United India Insurance, New India Assurance, Oriental Insurance and National Insurance would insure the one and a half month long event.

“The General Insurance Corporation is finalising the insurance cover for the one and half month long cricketing event. It all depends on the total cost involved in hosting the games and the sum would be decided soon,” United India Insurance chairman and managing director G Srinivasan said.

The 2011 World Cup would begin on 19 February and end on 2 April. The broadcasting rights for the international sporting event is with ESPN and the telecaster has reportedly asked for a cover of over Rs. 500 crore.

He said the insurers would provide cover broadly to organisers of the event and media telecaster.

“Insurance cover would be to organisers in the event of cancellation and also to media for revenue loss arising out of loss of advertisement in telecasting the games,” Srinivasan said.

The insurance cover would compensate for any loss arising from cancellation due to a natural calamity, like earthquake, floods or riot, and terror attacks.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) cricket World Cup is the showpiece event of the cricketing calendar and takes place every four years, with matches contested in a 50 overs per side format.

Apart from India two other Asian countries, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka would together host a total of 49 matches of the World Cup.

Srikanth, selectors in Chennai to select India's World Cup 2011 team

The chairman of the national cricket selection committee, K Srikanth and the three other members of the committee have arrived here to pick the final squad for World Cup 2011.

The National selectors will select the 15-member Team India out of 30 probables.
According to the sources, selectors will select eight to nine batsmen and one extra wicketkeeper. Mahendra Singh Dhoni will lead the Team India in the World Cup 2011, beginning from February 19.
Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh and Virat Kohli are sure to get the berth in World Cup side.
As far as second wicketkeeper is concerned, the fight is between Parthiv Patel and Dinesh Karthik.
Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel, S Sreesanth, Praveen Kumar, R Vinay Kumar and Ishant Sharma will vie in the pace department. Pragyan Ojha, Amit Mishra, R Ashwin and Piyush Chawla will contest in the spin department.(ANI)
Copyright Asian News International/DailyIndia.com

Planning on Betting Cricket at the ICC Cricket World Cup?

Predictions for betting cricket at the world cup are plentiful, with only a month to go. The ICC Cricket World Cup will start on February the 19th, and fans betting cricket are getting geared up for the big day.

The event which lasts until April will see 14 national teams compete in a round robin style of tournament. The event will be co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Pakistan was to have hosted, however security issues as well as scandals involving betting cricket, have concerned the ICC executives. A $10.5 million loss is expected to hit the Pakistani economy, due to the loss of $75,000 per match as well losses to local business that would have greatly profited from the games.

Paul Collingwood, a popular English batsman, has put his skills for betting cricket to use and passed on the teams likely to be in the finals. UK cricket betting fans may agree with the 34 year old.

“On current form I’d hope to put England into a semi final, it would be hard to not put India in there with the strength in their batting and in home conditions – they’ll be tricky to play against,” Collingwood said in an interview.

“I always think Australia can’t be ruled out since they’ve had a good history in this tournament and finally I’d pick South Africa as the fourth semi-finalist. But you never know I may be well off the mark!” he added.

“It’s a huge motivation to do well against Australia in all formats of the game. We want to keep the momentum going from the Test series and we want to carry that into the ICC Cricket World Cup. We want to finish the ODI series in Australia filled with confidence and ready to take on anyone at the World Cup,” Collingwood said.

So how for now in the UK, cricket betting is right on track, and we look forward to a stunning finish.

The list of qualifying teams for the tournament of betting cricket, are:
Kenya
South Africa
Zimbabwe
Canada
West Indies
Bangladesh
India
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
Australia
New Zealand
England
Ireland
Netherlands

Pepsi Launches Change The Game Campaign; First TVC With Dhoni

Cricket has changed, cricket fans have changed and the way they watch cricket has changed… This ICC Cricket World Cup, Pepsi celebrates the new unorthodox yet immensely popular face of modern cricket with its high decibel and path-breaking campaign – ‘CHANGE THE GAME’. Through the metaphor of cricket it also salutes the Youngistaanis who within themselves have found the power to defy tradition, and pave their own way by not breaking the rules but by changing them.

Change the Game is not a notion but reality that is reflected in the way cricket is played, watched and enjoyed world-over and in India today. With this innovative campaign, Pepsi has become the official sponsor of everything that is unorthodox about the sport; whether it is Virender Sehwag’s Upper Cut, Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Helicopter shot, Harbhajan Singh’s Doosra, Tillakaratne Dilshan’s Dilscoop, Kevin Pietersen’s Switch Hit or Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina’s aggressive on-field spirit.

Deepika Warrier, Marketing Director, PepsiCo Beverages, India said, “Pepsi has always been closely associated with youth platforms such as cricket; and ICC Cricket World Cup is the single biggest event that unifies millions of passionate Youngistaanis. Our Change the Game campaign celebrates the same passion and the new age mantra of cricket, which is irreverent, unorthodox, fun, challenging and unmistakably Pepsi”.

“PepsiCo is one of the global sponsors of the ICC Cricket World Cup and we have created an exciting, engaging and innovative package for brand Pepsi to leverage this mega event. We are confident that the unique campaign thought of Change the Game will appeal to the youth and inspire them to be the game changers in their own lives”, Deepika added.

Featuring some of the cricketing world’s biggest superstars, the campaign includes a series of ad films that will showcase out-of-the-box moves that are not text-book and yet help achieve the ultimate goal. Irreverent and youthful in spirit, these films promise to bring alive the passion Youngistaanis share for the game, both on and off the field. The first film as part of the campaign revolves around Indian team skipper, Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s famous game changing move – the Helicopter Shot.

The TVC is conceptualized by Taproot India’s Agnello Dias and Santosh Padhi. Pepsi had recently appointed Taproot India to design its Cricket World Cup 2011 campaign. The TVC opens with a villager training Mahendra Singh Dhoni about his famous helicopter shot which ultimately changes the game of cricket. The campaign brilliantly and aptly synchronizes Dhoni’s style of playing with the process of cutting fodder in the villages.

“Pepsi has always been the fearless voice of uninhibited youth. A belief that needed to be interpreted even as the official partner of the event. Only Pepsi could turn this official status on its head by standing up for the brave new, unorthodox face of the modern game. The unplugged, organic face of contemporary cricket that is a reflective of everything that the youth of today live by. That it’s not the textbook that matters but the result at the end of the day. Because the game can always change”, commented, Agnello Dias, Creative Director, Taproot India.

Director of the TVCs, Prasoon Pandey of Corcoise Films said, “Change The Game is a powerful concept and we have tried to bring alive the same passion and excitement in the films as we would see during the World Cup. The idea was to communicate Pepsi’s celebration of cricketers’ innovative signature moves on the field in a never-seen-before manner. For instance, the first film presents an irreverent back story about Dhoni’s famous Helicopter shot to the thrill of him actually using it during the match.”

“Change the Game is a big idea in the context of the game of cricket.  With this campaign we will inspire the youth to ‘change the game’, be innovative, take risks, and do things differently even if it has not been done before. We are the official sponsors of the ICC World Cup, but with this campaign we also want to be the official sponsors of everything that is unorthodox, exciting, innovative about the game of cricket”, said, Sandeep Singh Arora, Executive Vice President – Marketing, Cola, PepsiCo India.

Speaking about ‘Change the Game’, Indian Cricket Team Captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni said, “Change the Game for me is not about what you achieve, but how you achieve it. It is about the confidence to take risks and the courage to take the road less traveled.  On field, it is about playing innovative shots or making game changing decisions at critical junctures of the play. Pepsi’s Change the Game campaign captures this thought in an exciting and innovative manner and I am sure Youngistaanis will strongly identify with it”.

Watch the making of the campaign in the words of Dhoni himself:

Supporting the on-air initiatives is the eye-catching off-air campaign with cricketers in a never-seen-before painted body look. The new body painted look is youthful, fresh and symbolic of the individual player’s passion for the game. Covered only with a layer of colourful body paint, the cricketers’ images reflect their energetic and unique persona on the field. Each design and choice of colour palette has a story behind it which mirrors the athlete’s character.

The campaign is being launched across various mediums and channels to ensure complete 3D activation across all verticals. It will be supported by a 360-degree approach including thematic ATL and outdoor, consumer engagement programmes, special edition packaging, in-stadia amplification and digital engagement programmes.

Credits:

Creative Agency: Taproot India; Agnello Dias, Santosh Padhi

Director for the films: Corcoise Films, Prasoon Pandey

Media Planning: Mindshare; Chanchal Chakrabarti

Films: 5

Language: Hindi / Hinglish / other regional

Athletes featured: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virendra Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kevin Peitersen

IPL vs ICC Cricket World Cup

Every Indian marketer worth his dollar is gearing up to be a part of what is being touted as the biggest cricketing season of all time. In a month from now, an estimated Rs 1,500 crore of combined advertising funds will be pumped into the ICC World Cup starting February 19 and then into the Indian Premier League-4 (IPL) beginning April 8. Industry experts say this 90-day chock-a-block cricket calendar will, arguably, be the largest media extravaganza ever in terms of both viewership and revenue. What is interesting is that despite the overdose of cricket and the high cost associated with it, most advertisers are not deterred from shelling out the big bucks. In fact, they admit that cricket remains the best impact property in a fragmented media environment. However, they do not hesitate to spell out that cricket's escalating costs mean a more efficient marketing plan is the need of the hour to get the required bang for their buck.

Mobile service provider, Reliance Communications (RCOM), which is an ICC global partner, is firming up its on-air strategy for the World Cup and the IPL. It has earmarked upwards of Rs 50 crore as ad spends during the upcoming cricket season. "We have become smarter as marketers as compared to a few years back. Cricket's costs have gone up and, therefore, we have to make sure that we micro-manage our investments to get best returns," says Sanjay Behl, group head-brand & marketing, RCOM. Advertisers had suffered a setback with India's early exit in the World Cup 2007 in the Caribbean and had even asked for compensation for their losses from broadcaster Multi Screen Media (MSM), the official broadcaster of the tournament then. , which of course was not forthcoming. World Cup versus the IPL

In fact, such is the lesson learnt from the last edition of the World Cup that Korean consumer durable major LG Electronics has chosen not to be present on ESPN Star Sports (ESS), the official broadcaster of the 2011 edition of the World Cup despite being an ICC ground partner. "The commercial deal did not work out for us, therefore, we have opted out of being on air but our consumer engagement plans and product launches will be big around the event and we expect a spike of 50% in sales over the last quarter," says L K Gupta, marketing head, LG India. Gupta, however, expects an assured viewership on IPL , on the other hand and, therefore, will be seen advertising on SET Max, the official IPL broadcaster, during the tournament. "There are large outlays involved in such big cricketing properties and what IPL offers is a risk-free option unlike the World Cup," says Rohit Gupta, president, MSM. The IPL-4 will for the first time have 10 teams and as many as 74 matches.

The change in strategy by Although marketers these days prefer over the years favours a the snappier Twenty20 format of the IPL, there remains a desire but has not completely taken away the sheen to be associated with the World Cup. Big spenders like cola major, PepsiCo has plans to create a buzz around the tournament despite the 2007 debacle. Having launched its campaign "Change the game" PepsiCo is looking to capture and celebrate the changes in cricket over the years with a 360 degree marketing activity. "We feel the World Cup is a tremendous opportunity for us to leverage in terms of our image as also our sales. The IPL, too, is a great platform but that does not take away anything from the efficiency of the World Cup," says Sandeep Singh Arora, executive VP- marketing, cola, PepsiCo India.

The country's largest media agency, Group M, expects both the World Cup and the IPL to equally share the Rs 1,500 crore ad booty but the average viewership ratings are expected to be better for the IPL. While the World Cup is expected to clock an average of 3.5 rating, the IPL will register an average of 5, according to Group M. "Brands like PepsiCo and Hero Honda, which have traditionally been cricket-centric in their communication and positioning, will prefer being on the World Cup as it has involved viewership unlike an IPL which is like a hindi general entertainment channel," says R Gowthaman, head, Mindshare-South Asia. While ESS has signed on sponsors like PepsiCo, Hero Honda, Sony India, Nokia, SET Max has got on board Hyundai, Vodafone, Cadbury India besides seven other sponsors.

This involvement and less clutter is what an advertiser like Philips is looking to cash in on. "We have been present in cricket for the last three years and got good returns. The World Cup is an ideal platform for us to reach our target audience. It is like a national event filled with passion and we expect to get undivided attention from viewers unlike the IPL which is excessively commercialised," says Vivek Sharma, CMO, Philips India.

But a big dampener for the ICC property, say media experts, is the number of matches that does not involve India, which constitute about 80% of the tournament and of course, the fate of the Indian team. The broadcaster of the World Cup, ESS says the ICC has changed the format from the 2007 edition so as to secure at least a month-long presence of the India team. India plays its last group match only on March 20, a month from the start of the tournament. "Yes, there has been some devaluation of the 50-over game but the World Cup has a special impact and that is the response we have got from advertisers," says an official spokesman of ESS.

The marketing game is not just limited to advertisements. So everything that touches a consumer's life directly like flat screen TVs, apparel and FMCG products would be hard sold on ground as well. It's only natural, therefore, that to capture this national fervour, marketers beyond just the ones associated with the event on air are making plans. Retail chain Big Bazaar, which is the official merchandiser for the World Cup, has launched a range of personal care products like toothpastes and soaps through its Sach brand-inspired by Sachin Tendulkar-to coincide with the tournament. Even multiplex chains are preparing to hop on to the cricket bandwagon. "We are trying to extend the buzz around cricket on to the cinema goers by introducing cricket fever combo wherein consumer can win world cup merchandise," says Archana Jhangiani, head brand & marketing, Big Cinema.

It's just a matter of time before the consumer market explodes on the country's biggest religion backed by the marketers attempt to maximise their quest for the consumer's purse.

World Cup 2011: Organisers Racing Against Time to Get Venues Ready

MELBOURNE: Just few weeks remaining for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and the five venues for the events are still not completed. Despite admitting the fact, International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said that the subcontinent will be ready in time to host the World Cup.

Lorgat expressed confidence for the completion of the venues as well as the for the security arrangements. The mega event is commencing on February 19 and will conclude on April 2. India, Srilanka and Bangladesh are co-hosting the World Cup 2011.

While attending a press conference at Melbourne, Lorgat said, “Five stadia are still to be completed but there are no alarm bells ringing and I’m sure they will be ready well before the World Cup.”

HAROON LORGAT

As pet the latest reports on the World Cup Venues, five grounds are yet to be completed including Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium where the final is scheduled to be played. These grounds are still under constructions and organisers are trying hard to finish the work and get those ready for hosting the matches.

Lorgat added that the Feb. 5 verdict on spot-fixing allegations against three Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir would not have any adverse effect on the World Cup.

“There’s some time between when the verdict is released on the fifth of February. We were keen to have it well before the start of the World Cup,” he said.

So far, only three of the total 14 World Cup participating teams have announced their final squads for the event. These three are Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Netherlands. Australia is expected to announce its final-15 on 19 January. While, India will announce its final 15-man squad for February’s World Cup on 17 January.

Dhoni, Sehwag to Sport Body Paints for World Cup 2011 Campaign

MUMBAI: As the mega event of Cricket, ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 is arriving; all the sponsors of the event are ready with their brand ambassadors for campaigning. As a part of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 campaign by soft drink manufacturer Pepsi, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Opener Virender Sehwag will wear body paints.

As per the media release, the campaign for the mega event will launch very soon and India’s off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, batsmen Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli would also be a part of it. The first of the television commercials featuring Indian cricket players would be launched on January 15, followed by others.

As a part of the ”Change the Game” campaign by Pepsi, five of the cricketers will be seen sporting body paints. As per the release, the body paint campaign is an attempt to bring alive the passion that these cricketers have for their game.

Pepsi Campaign

“Cricket is more than just a game in India, it is like a faith and its followers include millions of passionate Youngistaanis. With our innovative Cricket World Cup campaign we wanted to reflect the same fervor and energy that the fans and the players have. And what can be more passionate than wearing it on your body,” Sandeep Singh Arora, Pepsico India’s Executive vice-president (Marketing), said.

The Indian Leading players have taken their shirts off for the campaign and wear their passion in the form of paints. The new body painted look is youthful, fresh and symbolic of the individual player’s passion for the game.

The company plans to launch the campaign across various mediums and channels, including print, radio and through consumer engagement programs.

For the World Cup 2011, which is commencing on February 19 and will conclude on April 2, Pepsi is one of the global sponsors for the World Cup 2011. India, Srilanka and Bangladesh are co-hosting the mega event.

Ad Review: Pepsi seeks to ‘Change the Game’ for Cricket World Cup 2011

The ICC Cricket World Cup fever is back. Riding high on the cricket wave is Pepsi and now that it is also an official sponsor, the cola major celebrates the new unorthodox yet immensely popular face of modern cricket with a new campaign, titled ‘Change the Game’.

The campaign has been conceptualised by Taproot India, who has been appointed to handle the World Cup campaign for Pepsi. However, JWT India continues to be the creative partner for PepsiCo India.

Client: PepsiCo India
Brand: Pepsi
Agency: Taproot India
Medium: Television

The Brief:
It’s all about change and so is with the sport ‘Cricket’. According to PepsiCo India, their tagline – ‘Change the Game’ – is not a notion but a reality that is reflected in the way cricket is played, watched and enjoyed the world over and in India today. Through the metaphor of cricket, it salutes the Youngistaanis, who within themselves have found the power to defy tradition and pave their own way by not breaking the rules, but by changing them.

Explaining the objective, Deepika Warrier, Marketing Director, PepsiCo Beverages, India, said, “Pepsi has always been closely associated with youth platforms such as cricket; and ICC Cricket World Cup is the single biggest event that unifies millions of passionate Youngistaanis. Our ‘Change the Game’ campaign celebrates the same passion and the new age mantra of cricket, which is irreverent, unorthodox, fun, challenging and unmistakably Pepsi.”

She further said, “PepsiCo is one of the global sponsors of the ICC Cricket World Cup and we have created an innovative package for brand Pepsi to leverage this mega event. We are confident that the campaign thought of ‘Change the Game’ will appeal to the youth and inspire them to be the game changers in their own lives.”

Speaking on the thought process of the campaign, Agnello Dias, Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder, Taproot India, said, “Pepsi has always been the fearless voice of uninhibited youth; a belief that needed to be interpreted even as the official partner of the event. Only Pepsi could turn this official status on its head by standing up for the brave new, unorthodox face of the modern game. The unplugged, organic face of contemporary cricket is a reflective of everything that the youth of today live by. That it’s not the textbook that matters, but the result is at the end of the day, because the game can always change.”

The Execution:
Featuring some of the cricketing world’s biggest superstars, the campaign includes a series of ad films that will showcase out-of-the-box moves that are not text-book and yet help achieve the ultimate goal. Irreverent and youthful in spirit, these films promise to bring alive the passion Youngistaanis share for the game, both on and off the field. The first film as part of the campaign revolves around Indian team skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s famous game changing move – the Helicopter Shot.

The campaign is produced by Corcoise Films and directed by Prasoon Pandey.

The Final Product:
Supporting the on-air initiatives is the eye-catching off-air campaign with cricketers in a never-seen-before painted body look. The new body painted look is youthful, fresh and symbolic of the individual player’s passion for the game. Covered only with a layer of colourful body paint, the cricketers’ images reflect their energetic and unique persona on the field. Each design and choice of colour palette has a story behind it, which mirrors the athlete’s character.

The campaign is being launched across various mediums and channels to ensure complete 3D activation across all verticals. It will be supported by a 360-degree approach, including thematic ATL and outdoor, consumer engagement programmes, special edition packaging, in-stadia amplification and digital engagement programmes.

Xpert Comments:
So, how does the industry professional view the latest TVC? Nilesh Vaidya, Executive Creative Director, Euro RSCG India, commented, “A watchable film, but didn’t really surprise. In fact, the only thing that got me thinking was the sign-off. Will Coke do a ‘nothing official about it’ number now?”

Our Take:
It’s the Cricket World Cup and knowing how cricket-crazy Indians are, one can only expect a World Cup campaign being larger than life, especially when it comes to a cola major like Pepsi. However, though ‘Change the Game’ idea is fresh, somewhere the X-factor is missing. But here’s hoping that the overall 360 campaign has some good surprises in store.