Cricket set to conquer new frontiers, Disney World!
Sunday, March 9 2003 20:03 Hrs (IST)

London: Organisers of the 2007 World Cup are so keen to conquer new frontiers that they are set to stage some matches in the United States with Disney World tipped to be a venue.

"The tournament organisers are going to invite bids from countries and islands which want to host matches in 2007 and America is in with a shout for some of those games," International Cricket Council (ICC) Mark Harrison told the ‘Observer’ newspaper on Sunday.

"The idea of games in America is very intriguing, but it's also a legitimate prospect, because the West Indies are quite close to America and there's a big population in America that's interested in cricket."

Chris Dehring, managing director of tournament organisers 'Windies World Cup 2007', who will decide where games are played, said putting some games on in America could help the sport in the long run.

"The ICC have objectives in the United States and, as a member of the international cricket community, we would naturally look at supporting the ICC's objectives. The 2007 World Cup is such an opportunity, so it will be explored," said Dehring who added that Florida was the likeliest location.

The newspaper reported that Florida's weather, large West Indian community and rarity value as one of the few places in America where cricket is played will all help.

Florida could also prove a more appealing venue than some parts of the Caribbean, where facilities, transport and stadium capacities are often poor.

Disney World has already staged minor cricket events, and several years ago the ICC planned a tournament there to help them market the sport among America's 280 million citizens.

The United States are ranked 16th of the ICC's 84 member countries. They took part in the 2001 ICC Trophy in Toronto, which acted as the qualifying tournament for the World Cup, where they finished fifth behind the Netherlands, Canada, Namibia and Scotland.

Copyright AFP 2001

Extras: