ICC World Twenty20 2009 kicks off from 5 June in England. The 17-day tournament will feature 12 participating countries including ten test playing nations and two ICC associate members: Ireland and Scotland. The is going to be the only second world cup based on the twenty20 format which his Cricket’s latest as well as shortest version. The inaugural twenty20 world cup held in South Africa in 2007 when India won the title, defeating arch rival Pakistan in a mouth-watering final. Here, I am giving the full schedule of ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2009:
Stage
Date
Competing Teams
(Group)
Time
Venue
Group Stage
June 5
2009
England vs Netherlands
(Group B)
Local 17:30;
GMT
16:30
Lord’s, London
June 6 2009
New Zealand vs Scotland
(Group D)
Local 10:00;
GMT
09:00
Kennington Oval, London
Australia vs West Indies
(Group C)
Local 13:30;
GMT
12:30
Kennington Oval, London
Bangladesh vs India
(Group A)
Local 17:30;
GMT
16:30
Trent Bridge, Nottingham
June 7 2009
Scotland vs South Africa
(Group D)
Local 13:30;
GMT
12:30
Kennington Oval, London
England vs Pakistan
(Group B)
Local 17:30;
GMT
16:30
Kennington Oval, London
June 8 2009
Bangladesh vs Ireland
(Group A)
Local 13:30;
GMT
12:30
Trent Bridge, Nottingham
Australia vs Sri Lanka
(Group C)
Local 17:30;
GMT
16:30
Trent Bridge, Nottingham
June 9 2009
Netherlands vs Pakistan
(Group B)
Local 13:30;
GMT
12:30
Lord’s, London
New Zealand vs South Africa
(Group D)
Local 17:30;
GMT
16:30
Lord’s, London
June 10 2009
Sri Lanka vs West Indies
(Group C)
Local 13:30;
GMT
12:30
Trent Bridge, Nottingham
India vs Ireland
(Group A)
Local 17:30;
GMT
16:30
Trent Bridge, Nottingham
Super Eight
June 11 2009
D1 vs A2 (Group F)
Local 13:30;
GMT
12:30
Trent Bridge, Nottingham
B2 vs D2
(Group E )
Local 17:30;
GMT
16:30
Trent Bridge, Nottingham
June 12 2009
B1 vs C2
(Group F)
Local 13:30;
GMT
12:30
Lord’s, London
A1 vs C1
(Group E)
Local 17:30;
GMT
16:30
Lord’s, London
June 13 2009
C1 vs D2
(Group E)
Local 13:30;
GMT
12:30
Kennington Oval, London
D1 vs B1
(Group F)
Local 17:30;
GMT
16:30
Kennington Oval, London
June 14 2009
A2 vs C2
(Group F)
Local 13:30;
GMT
12:30
Lord’s, London
A1 vs B2 (Group E)
Local 17:30;
GMT
16:30
Lord’s, London
June 15 2009
B2 vs C1
(Group E)
Local 13:30;
GMT
12:30
Kennington Oval, London
B1 vs A2
(Group F)
Local 17:30;
GMT
16:30
Kennington Oval, London
June 16 2009
D1 vs C2
(Group F)
Local 13:30;
GMT
12:30
Trent Bridge, Nottingham
D2 vs A1
(Group E)
Local 17:30;
GMT
16:30
Trent Bridge, Nottingham
Semi Final
June 18 2009
TBC vs TBC
(1st Semi Final)
Local 17:30;
GMT
16:30
Trent Bridge, Nottingham
June 19 2009
TBC vs TBC
(2nd Semi Final)
Local 17:30;
GMT
16:30
Kennington Oval, London
Final
June 21 2009
TBC vs TBC
Local 15:00;
GMT
14:00
Lord’s, London
Having experienced a highly successful first edition of twenty20 world cup, cricket fans are now excited with the upcoming t20 world cup in England. The glitz and glamour of twenty20 version are enough to lure the cricket fans and it is expected that twenty20 world cup 2009 would be another successful tournament. Twenty20 format has also become the money-spinner for the cricketers and the game has never seen as much money involved as it is now seen through Indian Premier League (IPL) and Indian Cricket League (ICL). So, naturally the attraction of players towards twenty20 format has also been skyrocketed since the inception of ICL and IPL. International players would also be temped to prove their skill and talent of twenty20 format in the world t20 2009 in England in order to attract the IPL and ICL franchises.
This time, I have some doubts whether money will talk or not. I mean whether T20 World Cup 2009 will be a huge success or not financially- this is my doubt. Well, you see, IPL 2009 is going to end soon and then T20 World Cup will start. So, most people will be already tired of enjoying IPL matches in India. India now brings the most revenue for world of cricket and even a significant portion of revenue for T20 World Cup will come from Indian market. Last time, India became the champion and was in top form. In fact, because of this matter, millions of people were glued to their TV sets until the last moment. More viewers mean more TV ads and more revenue.
Twelve participating teams will be divided into four groups (Group A, B, C and D) of three teams each in the group stage. In each group, three teams will take on each other once in a round robin league system. Two teams from each group in terms of point would qualify for the Super Eight Stage- where there will be top 8 teams competing for the four semi-final spots.
In the Super Eight, there will be two groups of four teams each. Group E comprises of the champions of Group A and C as well as the runners up of Group B and D, while Group F includes the champion teams of Group B and D as well as the runner up teams of Group A and C. Top two teams with highest points from each group will reach the semi final stage, and the semi final winners will meet each other in the tournament final on 21 June at Lord’s.
Tickets were available for sales in July 2008 and there were heavy rush for the tickets in England. There are two ways you can collect match tickets. First of all, you can log onto the official website of ICC World Twenty20 2009 which is accessed by the ICC official website-
www.icc-cricket.com. However, the UK cricket fans can book the tickets by calling 0844 847 2020. Overseas cricket fans must buy tickets in the website.
Most of the days of 17-day-long tournament will feature two matches at the same venue, and thus, allowing cricket fans to enjoy two games at the cost of one match. So, cricket fans have enough reasons to cheer on. Well, you might think that it would be a loss for the organizers. However, the reality is different. If the organizers decided to arrange one match per day, then the duration of the tournament would have been increased, and thus, the cost would also be increased. Organizing an extra match on a venue would have cost a lot and that is why, organizers decided to arrange two matches per day.
The host country England is hoping that T20 World Cup will generate good revenue. They are also hoping for some tourists from India and other countries for the event. As I have already said that this event is taking place just after IPL 2009 and I am curious to see how many companies in India can afford to spend huge amount of money for TV advertisements and sponsorships.
