Sachin
Tendulkar as the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 ambassador.
The
International Cricket Council on Monday announced Sachin Tendulkar as the ICC
Cricket World Cup 2015 ambassador. It will be the second successive time
that the India maestro will be the Ambassador of ICC’s pinnacle tournament,
after he fulfilled the role in the previous event, which was co-hosted by
Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka in 2011.
In his
role as a World Cup 2015 ambassador, Tendulkar will promote and support a
variety of ICC initiatives to enhance the profile of the tournament, which is
the third biggest sporting event in the world and will take place in Australia
and New Zealand from February 14 to March 29.
Tendulkar
retired from international cricket last year after representing his country in
200 Tests, 463 One-Day Internationals and one Twenty20 International. In a
career spanning 24 years, the 41-year-old scored a total of 34,357
international runs and 100 centuries.
Tendulkar
added the missing World Cup title to his long list of achievements in his sixth
attempt in 2011. He is the all-time leading run-getter in World Cup history
with 2,278 runs in 45 matches at an average of 56.95. For his 673 runs in the
ICC Cricket World Cup 2003, he was awarded player of the tournament as India
finished runner-up to Australia.
Commenting
on his appointment, Tendulkar said: “I am delighted and honoured to be
appointed ICC Cricket World Cup Ambassador for the second successive time.
“After
playing in the last six editions, the upcoming World Cup will be a different
experience as I will follow it from the sidelines. It could probably be
comparable to the ICC Cricket World Cup 1987 where I was a ball boy,
enthusiastically cheering every ball.
“The
excitement of the World Cup grows with every new edition and this year’s host
nations, Australia and New Zealand, are known for their sporting culture, great
cricket facilities and knowledgeable crowds. Lifting the World Cup is every
international cricketer’s quest and the tournament brings out the best of
individuals and competing teams.
“The
image of the champion team lifting the World Cup inspires many youngsters
around the world and gives them a dream to chase – a dream which I fulfilled
after 22 years of relentless pursuit by being part of the victorious Indian
team in 2011.”
ICC
Chief Executive David Richardson said: “The ICC is delighted to once again have
Sachin as an Ambassador for its biggest and most prestigious tournament. Sachin
is not only an inspiration to cricketers but to all sportspeople for his
endurance, perseverance, talent, personality and commitment to the game.”
The 11th
edition of the World Cup kicks off in Christchurch on February 14 when co-hosts
New Zealand take on former champion Sri Lanka. On the same day at the
picturesque Melbourne Cricket Ground, four-time world champion Australia will
square-off against England, which reached the final the last time the event was
staged in Australia/New Zealand in 1992.
A total
of 49 matches will be played across 14 venues, seven in New Zealand (Auckland,
Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Napier, Nelson and Wellington) and seven in
Australia (Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney).
The
format of the tournament is the same as the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, i.e.
two groups of seven sides each, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final. All the
knock-out stage matches will have reserve days.
Apart
from the 10 Full Members, four qualifiers – Afghanistan, Ireland, Scotland and
the United Arab Emirates – will take part in the tournament.
Pasted
from <http:www.clickittefaq.com
1.)
Became the first captain to lead India to the ICC World Twenty 20 trophy played
in South Africa in September 2007 which India won on the 24th September 2007.
