BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Cricket’s world governing body, the International Cricket Council, has praised the involvement of Caribbean fans in the just concluded World Twenty20 Championship and said their participation was a key ingredient behind the tournament’s success.
Unlike the Cricket World Cup three years ago, the WT20 featured entertaining elements of the region’s cricket culture and was also marked by a relaxing of some of the restrictions that had crippled fan participation in the 50-over event.
“We recognised the need to involve all the local people and we were thrilled by their turnout and enthusiastic support,” ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said.
“I think everyone will agree that their colourful participation contributed much to the success of the tournament. We invited the Caribbean people to ‘Bring It’ and they certainly did just that.
“The ICC is grateful to all those who attended the matches and the hundreds of millions who watched on television.”
The third edition of the tournament concluded at Kensington Oval on Sunday with England clinching the men’s title and Australia capturing the women’s equivalent.
Held across three countries – Barbados, St Lucia and Guyana – Lorgat praised the tournament’s organisers for putting the countries’ respective cultures on show.
“A lot of praise for the operational success of the tournament must go to the West Indies Cricket Board, the ICC World Twenty20 2010 organising committee and the ICC staff who delivered an outstanding event which will long be remembered,” the top official said.
“For me this was a truly memorable event which showcased the unique culture and passion for cricket in the Caribbean.”
