ICC launches centenary year in Sydney

Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat: “Cricket gets plenty right, has plenty to celebrate and has plenty to look forward to”


“The game faces challenges but so does every other major global sport”

“Emerging stars, three great formats, medium-term financial security and the evidence of history are all reasons to smile, as is the great spirit in which cricket is played and enjoyed by millions of people across the world”

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat today launched the global governing body’s centenary year with a simple message: “Cricket is a game that gets plenty right, has plenty to celebrate and has plenty to look forward to.”

Mr Lorgat, speaking at the Sydney Cricket Ground alongside ICC President David Morgan ahead of the start of tomorrow’s Australia – South Africa Test match, said the ICC faced ongoing challenges as it moved into its second hundred years of existence.

But he believed the international game’s three formats, its medium-term financial security and the emergence of a new generation of leading players, as well as the evidence of history and the great spirit in which cricket was played and enjoyed by millions of people across the world, were all reasons for the game to wear a collective smile of pride.

“As the ICC enters its second century, the game faces challenges – safety and security, player workload, balancing formats, ensuring a competitive balance between ICC Members, staying on top of corruption and plenty more besides,” said Mr Lorgat.

“But then again cricket has always faced challenges just as big, if not bigger, than those currently confronting us – Bodyline, illegal bowling actions in the 1950s and 1960s and corruption, to name just three. And, as a successful global sport, cricket will not be unique in facing such significant challenges.

“The key we all need to remember is that cricket has always dealt with those past challenges and is now, as a result, stronger than ever.

“We are perhaps the only sport with three viable forms of the game at international level and we are about to launch the world’s first Global Cricket Academy in Dubai with state-of-the-art facilities for the world.

“And, as a governing body that ploughs all money earned back to its Members, we have just begun investing US$300 million into the development of the game among our second and third tier Members, the biggest commitment to grow a sport outside of soccer.

“Greats of the game like Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Shaun Pollock and Brian Lara may have moved on but the recent performances of the likes of Ajantha Mendis, AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn and Ishant Sharma suggest the future is in good hands.

“The start of the ICC’s centenary year gives us all the chance to reflect on the past and look to the future. When I do that I see a game that’s played and enjoyed in a great spirit by millions of people across the world, gets plenty right, has plenty to celebrate and has plenty to look forward to,” he added.

The ICC’s centenary year of 2009 is intended to be a global celebration with events taking place around the world to reflect all that is great about the game.

On the field these events include the ICC Women’s World Cup, the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier, the ICC World Twenty20 event for men and women and the ICC Champions Trophy.

And off it there will be the opening of the ICC Global Cricket Academy and the inauguration of the ICC’s new headquarters, both in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, the launch of the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in association with the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA), and an ICC History Conference at St Antony’s College, Oxford in the United Kingdom in July.

The ICC will also be celebrating the contribution of volunteers across the world through the award of 1000 centenary medals and will announce new developments to its social responsibility partnership on HIV/AIDS.

During the course of 2009, each of the ICC’s 104 Members will be hosting activities inspired by the special spirit of cricket as part of a global “Catch the Spirit” centenary celebration.

To promote this theme and the launch of the ICC’s centenary year website, catchthespirit2009, leading international stars have named their “Catch the Spirit” moments which best encapsulate the spirit of cricket.

Among those stars that can be seen on the website, Yuvraj Singh of India speaks of his experiences in Pakistan – India matches and South Africa’s Jacques Kallis reflects on his side’s famous chase of 438 to beat Australia in an ODI in Johannesburg.

During the course of the year fans will be able to upload their own “Catch the Spirit” moments onto the website, so supporters across the world can celebrate the spirit of cricket.