September 10, 2007

Twenty20 World Cup Championship 2007: Inaugural ceremony & South Africa vs West Indies

Twenty20 World Cup Championship 2007 is going to start on 11 September in South Africa at Johannesburg. In the first match host country South Africa and West Indies. The match will start at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg and live action starts from: 16:00 GMT (21:30 IST). Millions of cricket fans are waiting for the new formatted Twenty20 World Cup Championship.

The Hindu reported that the formal launch of the inaugural championship took place at The Dome on Thursday, where ICC president Ray Mali, ICC cricket manager Dave Richardson, tournament director Steve Elworthy, Cricket South Africa president Norman Arendse and South African cricket team members including captain Graeme Smith spoke on the tournament.

The colourful ceremony, hosted by former Zimbabwe cricketer Pommie Mbangwa highlighted the growing audience of Twenty20 cricket, the importance of a successful championship for cricket and South Africa, and the role it could play in luring non-traditional cricket watchers into watching Tests and ODIs.

“The format is such that it gives an opportunity for cricketers to show people how good they are. They will be able to play with more freedom and less inhibitions, and express themselves better,” said Richardson.

The total prize money for the tournament will be $1.9 million.

The cricket fans will take pleasure in the new formatted Twenty20 World Cup Championship.