World T20: ICC wants Caribbean flavour out in full force

Having learned a bitter lesson in the 2007 ODI World Cup when the West Indian fans largely ignored the cricket carnival, the ICC now wants the Caribbean flavour out in full force for the upcoming World Twenty20 Championship.

The magic mantra devised by the world governing council for the game to attract the Calypso-loving cricket fans is to price the tickets at a reasonable level and allow the people to come in and watch the match with their musical instruments and other paraphernalia.

Party stands would offer a traditional area to watch the game, Caribbean style, while fans are also being encouraged to come dressed up carnival-style as part of the "Bring It" campaign.

"We want fans to bring it. Bring their voices, their loudest noisemakers and their most outrageous costumes and face paints to the ground and enjoy the atmosphere of the world-famous party stand," ICC's Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said in the ICC's latest quarterly newsletter.

"A reasonable ticket pricing and a short, sharp tournament played over 17 days should make this a fantastic Caribbean cricket party," he said confindently.

"We have worked with the WICB (West Indies Cricket Board) and local stakeholder groups to ensure that families can enjoy the atmosphere in the stadia in true Caribbean style and play their part in making the event a truly memorable competition played in Great Spirit," Lorgat said in the newsletter.

"We want to bring the supporters as close to the teams and action as possible during the ICC World Twenty20 2010. For the first time at an ICC event, we are going to provide fans with the chance to have their good-luck messages displayed in the dressing-rooms," the ICC Chief Executive said.

A double-header, featuring Sri Lanka and New Zealand as well as hosts West Indies taking on qualifiers Ireland, will set the tournament off and running in Guyana on April 30 with the final taking place in Barbados on May 16.

The organisers have priced the tickets from USD three (around Rs 135) for ground entry to single group stage matches to USD five (Rs 225) for double-headers and USD eight (Rs 360) for entry to Super Eight matches.

Tickets for the semi-finals in St Lucia range from USD 10-20 (Rs 450-900) and general admission to the men?s and women?s finals in Barbados on May 16 woould cost USD 20 (Rs 900) while a premium stand ticket for that double-header costs USD 40 (Rs 1,800).

Fans below the age of 16 would gain entry free of charge for all group stage matches while enjoying significant discounts at all other fixtures while admission to the women's group matches in St Kitts is free to all, the ICC has said.

These ticket prices are in sharp contrast to the 50-over World Cup in 2007 when tickets for even league ties were priced at around USD 100 (Rs 4,500). It also lasted for 47 days.

With less than a forthnight left before the first match takes place, Lorgat feels the event offers a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the proud and illustrious history of cricket in the West Indies.

"The West Indies is one of the great cricket territories and is a significant part of our shared cricket identity," The ICC Chief Exective had said earlier on a visit to India.

"It is a unique place to visit, to play and to hold an event and we are looking forward to bringing the very best players in the world to Guyana, St Lucia, St Kitts and Barbados for 17 days of world-class competition," he said.