World Cup tickets on offer for Stumpy stomp

Sri Lankan cricket fans who have missed out on World Cup match tickets have an opportunity to watch the action- by matching event mascot Stumpy's dance moves, officials said on Friday.

"We want to give the cricket-loving Sri Lankan public an opportunity to watch each and every game, so that's why we have put on this entertainment to match Stumpy at dance and win tickets," Sri Lanka tournament director Suraj Dandeniya told AFP.

Prizes will be available in competitions both inside and outside grounds, to those best able to imitate Stumpy.

Saturday's Pakistan-Sri Lanka Group A match in Colombo is set to be a 35,000 sell-out.

"We are keen on making this World Cup an entertaining event and matching Stumpy in dance is an effort to enthuse the public about the World Cup," said Dandeniya.

Stumpy, an elephant, will also travel to Pallekele, near Kandy, where three World Cup matches will be played, he said.

As well as tickets, fans will have a chance to win prizes such as a motorbike and television sets.

Stumpy was selected as the World Cup mascot after an online competition in which fans were asked to give suggestions.