World’s greatest cricketers to gather for unique series.
By Raif Karerat
The International Cricket Council has given the green light to a three-match T20 series in the United States that will be promoted by legendary cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne.
“It is a one-off event in November and the ICC doesn’t have a problem with that. It has spelt out a few conditions to Tendulkar and Warne and they have agreed to abide by them,” a source was quoted as saying by the Times of India.
The matches are slated be played at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Yankee Stadium in New York and Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
In addition to Tendulkar and Warne, the T20 series will feature some of the biggest superstars of cricketing fraternity. India’s batting legends Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, and Sourav Ganguly will all take part in the T20 series, according to India Today.
Australia’s Glen McGrath, Adam Gilchrist will be playing along with their former teammate Shane Warne. South Africa’s Jacques Kallis, West Indian legend Brian Lara, and Pakistan’s former captain Wasim Akram will also feature in this series.
“These players have big market value and can bring the Americans to watch the game. It can only help the game to grow in the country,” the source added.
The ICC body recently dissolved the USA Cricket Association and wants a new alliance to run the sport in the country. The Times of India source also revealed that a section of the earnings from the three T20 games will go to ICC, which in turn will be used for promotion of cricket in USA.
Regardless of ICC’s slice off the top of the event’s earnings, Cricket Country reported that it will not provide any infrastructural support. The promoters appear to be the sole organizers and will bear the entire brunt of staging the cricket extravaganza.
When asked about the relevance of ICC’s clearance, the source said it allowed Tendulkar and Warne to bring in the big guns of cricketing to participate in the sporting event, reported the Times.
“There are many of them associated with the ICC in different capacities. Unless the world body gave its clearance, these stars wouldn’t have been able to play in the series. But that’s settled and they can have the players of their choice,” the source added.