Oval gets Twenty20 backing

20 February 2008

The Brit Oval under lights

The England and Wales Cricket Board has announced that it will be recommending the Brit Oval as a second venue for the ICC World Twenty20 to be staged in June 2009.

Steve Elworthy, the tournament director, said that the ECB board will ask the International Cricket Council to approve the Oval along with Lord’s at their board meeting on March 18 in Dubai.

Lord’s will be recommended as the host for the opening game, the final and warm-up, group and Super 8 matches.

The Oval will be put forward as the host of warm-up, group and Super 8 matches as well as a semi final.

The announcement was welcomed by the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, who said: “London will provide the International Cricket Council World Twenty20 with outstanding venues and supporters with an unrivalled passion for sport.

“It is a city where every team in the world will find a community with whom they have links.

“The ICC World Twenty20 will also be a wonderful opportunity to encourage more young Londoners to take up cricket. We look forward to welcoming this great event to London.”

Visit London chief executive James Bidwell added: “The ICC World Twenty20 in 2009 will bring together cricket fans from across London, the UK and abroad.

“Visit London was delighted to support the bids put forward by two of our iconic cricket venues - Lords and the Oval.

Steve Elworthy pointed to the Oval's "great reputation"

Buy this photo

“London has an unequalled profile on the world stage and the ECB’s decision to recommend these venues bolster London's reputation as the global sports destination of choice.”

Paul Sheldon, Surrey’s chief executive, was equally as enthusiastic about the ECB decision and said: “The Oval has a history of staging successful large-scale events, most recently the ICC Champions Trophy in 2004, the Twenty20 finals day in 2005 and, of course, the unforgettable final Test match of the last home Ashes series.

“We are very excited about being recommended to the ICC as a host venue for the ICC World Twenty20 in 2009, and are confident that we will deliver another great experience for players, officials and cricket fans alike.

“The ICC World Twenty20 2009 will provide not only the Oval, but also the borough of Lambeth and Greater London, with an opportunity to engage a whole new audience in the wonderful game that is cricket, and we feel privileged to be able to play a part in that.”

Elworthy said: “I am delighted that we can recommend both the Oval and Lord’s to the ICC.

“I am sure they will also be elated that two venues with great reputations around the world are available to host the ICC World Twenty20 in June 2009.

“This event has already established itself as the most exciting tournament on the world stage and I am sure that the chance to play at such world renowned grounds will only enhance the reputation of the ICC World Twenty20.”

The ECB’s independent Major Match Group, chaired by Lord Morris of Handsworth, will decide on the third and final venue to be recommended as a host for the ICC World Twenty20 after the bidding process closes on Feb 28, 2008.