MUMBAI: While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has said that after this year it would not like to take further part in the Champions Trophy unless there is a change in the period when the event is held other countries continue to maintain strong interest in the event.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has said that it is delighted with the number of countries that had submitted formal interest in hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2008.
Australia, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies and the United Arab Emirates – have put themselves forward to host the event.
ICC CEO Malcolm Speed says, “The level of interest in the ICC Champions Trophy 2008 has exceeded our expectations and demonstrates the potential of this event. It means that, as with future ICC Cricket World Cup events, there will be a competitive process to determine the host of this event. The range of locations of these countries also provides the ICC with the ability to schedule the event at a time of year that will optimise its potential.”
After sending the ICC ‘letters of intent’ the members now have until the end of February to produce full hosting submissions. These submissions will be considered at the next ICC Board meeting in Dubai on 20 and 21 March 2006 where an ‘in principle’ decision is expected to be made on the host of this event.
India will host the champions trtophy this year in Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi from October to November 2006. For the BCCI of course the reluctance to further participate stems from the fact that the revenue it can get is limited compared to say an India Australia series. The BCCI is also said to want the ICC to clear more venues to host the Champions Trophy.