Two-time champion Chris Gayle and United States star Ali Khan lit up the iconic skyscraper of New York’s Empire State Building, which marked the official launch of the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Trophy Tour.
Gayle, who ignited the game’s shortest format before his retirement, had the honour of pulling the lever to light up New York’s most iconic building in the navy and magenta colours of the event. The former Jamaica and West Indies batsman also showcased the trophy which 20 teams will compete for in the June 1-29 tournament across the West Indies and United States.
The event marks the first time an ICC World Cup will be held in United States, including eight matches at the brand new, state-of-the-art modular 34,000 capacity stadium in Nassau County, New York. Newly renovated existing venues Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Dallas and Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, will each host four fixtures.
Co-hosts West Indies have a rich history in T20 cricket, having won the T20 World Cup twice, with popular Caribbean tourist destinations, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago all hosting matches.
The ‘Out of this World’ Trophy Tour will reach 15 countries across four continents as it visits iconic sporting teams and stadia, famous landmarks, and legendary cricketers, while also giving fans the chance to get a glimpse of T20 cricket’s biggest global prize. In addition to visiting all host venues across the West Indies and United States, the Trophy tour will also visit emerging Americas cricket countries Argentina, Brazil, and Canada, enabling new fans to connect with what will be a landmark event in the region.
ICC General Manager, Marketing and Communications, Claire Furlong said the anticipation has been heightened as the historic tournament is now less than three months away.
“As we count down to the World Cup, the Trophy Tour provides fans with the opportunity to be part of the event in locations across the globe. The Tour will travel extensively across the Americas, igniting the passion of both new and existing fans to share in the excitement of T20 cricket's pinnacle global event coming to the region and what better way to kick it off than by lighting up one of the world’s most iconic buildings in one of the world’s most iconic cities,” she said.
“Cricket has more than a billion fans and we want to give as many people as possible the opportunity to get up close with the trophy that will be lifted by the winning captain in Barbados on June 29,” Furlong added.
Fawwaz Baksh ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Tournament Director echoed similar sentiments.
“The start of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup trophy tour is an emphatic signal to fans worldwide that the World Cup is coming. Throughout its Caribbean leg of the tour, fans can look forward to a plethora of engaging activities, including meet-and-greets with Cricket stars and legends, Caribbean infused cultural entertainment, and the opportunity to see and take pictures of the trophy in person at some of the region’s most iconic locations.
“In addition to fan-facing engagements, the trophy tour will also serve as a platform to leverage the continued growth of Cricket globally and to drive positive change and leave a lasting impact on communities,” Baksh said.
Meanwhile, following huge demand of more than three million ticket applications in the public ballot, additional tickets have been released for 51 of 55 matches, including fixtures where allocations were previously exhausted.
In the West Indies, tickets are now available to matches at all six host locations, including Group Stage, Super 8 and semi-final matches, ensuring as many fans as possible can attend. Fans can create an account and purchase tickets now at tickets.t20worldcup.com.This is the fastest and easiest way for fans to get the tickets they want. All online transactions at tickets.t20worldcup.com are secure.
Also available now are a range of premium hospitality offerings inclusive of food and beverage packages for all fixtures at Nassau County International Stadium in New York and to all matches at West Indies venues at tickets.t20worldcup.com.
The Trophy Tour schedule for March and April
March 18 to 20: New York, USA
March 21 to 23: Houston, Grand Prairie and Dallas, USA
March 26 to 27: Buenos Aires, Argentina
March 28 to 29: Sao Paulo, Brazil
April 3 to 4: Jamaica
April 13 to 14: Barbados
April 17 to 18: Antigua and Barbuda
April 19 to 20: Saint Lucia
Sherfane Rutherford’s maiden ODI century leads West Indies to record chase against Bangladesh
Sherfane Rutherford’s maiden ODI century powered the West Indies to a thrilling five-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the first of three One-Day Internationals at Warner Park in St Kitts on Sunday. The win, sealed with 14 balls to spare, ended Bangladesh’s 11-game winning streak against the West Indies and marked the highest successful chase and second-innings total at the venue.
Chasing 295, the West Indies found themselves in early trouble at 94-3 in the 22nd over. Openers Brandon King (6) and Evin Lewis (16) struggled to get going against disciplined bowling from Bangladesh, while Kaecy Carty’s 21 came to an end just as he looked to settle. At this stage, Bangladesh’s total of 294-6, built on fifties from Mehidy Hasan Miraz (74), Tanzid Hasan (60), and Mahmudullah (50 not out), as well as Jaker Ali’s valuable 48, seemed more than enough.
However, the game took a dramatic turn with a 99-run partnership between Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford. Hope steadied the innings with his trademark composure, scoring 86 off 88 balls with three fours and four sixes. Rutherford, who came into the match with four consecutive fifties, once again delivered under pressure. This time, he turned his brilliant form into a dazzling 113 from just 80 balls, laced with seven fours and eight towering sixes.
Hope scored a solid 86 from 88 balls.
Bangladesh had no answer for Rutherford’s power-hitting, which completely shifted the momentum. His partnership with Hope set the foundation for the chase, and even after his dismissal with just seven runs needed from the final 20 balls, Justin Greaves ensured there were no last-minute nerves. Greaves finished unbeaten on 41 from 31 balls, striking five boundaries, while Roston Chase’s composed two not out saw the West Indies home.
Earlier in the day, Romario Shepherd (3-51) and Alzarri Joseph (2-67) were instrumental in restricting Bangladesh to under 300, as the visitors looked on course for a bigger total during the middle overs.
The victory is a major boost for the West Indies, showcasing their resilience and growing confidence in ODIs. For Bangladesh, it was a case of missed opportunities as their bowlers failed to close out a strong start.
With two more matches to come, the series remains wide open, promising more fireworks as both teams aim to outdo each other.
Brook labelled as 'best in the world' by England centurion Root
Joe Root lauded Harry Brook as the world's best batter after England completed their series victory away to New Zealand on Sunday.
Ben Stokes' tourists coasted to a 323-run victory in the second Test against New Zealand, sealing an unassailable 2-0 series lead.
It looked like England could be in trouble in Wellington after slipping to 43-4 in the first innings, only for Brook's 123 and 66 from Ollie Pope dragging their side to 280 all out.
Brook now has seven centuries in just 10 Tests away from home, the most by any batter in his first 10 such outings outside of their home country.
Yorkshire and England team-mate Root believes there is no player better than Brook at present.
"Just been a great week, from the position we were in, to then manage to win the game by day three, just shows how well the boys played," Root said.
"That partnership from Popey and Brooky, who is in my eyes the best player in the world at the minute.
"He's got it all, he can absorb pressure and put it back on you. He is destructive against both pace and spin, to manage those conditions exceptionally well and play some great counter-attacking cricket."
Root compiled a 130-ball 106 in the second innings as Stokes' side hammered home their advantage, with Jacob Bethell adding 96, four more than opener Ben Duckett managed.
England great Root now has 36 centuries in Tests, the joint-fifth most by any batter, alongside India's Rahul Dravid.
He brought up three figures with a trademark ramp over New Zealand wicket-keeper Tom Blundell from the bowling of seamer Will O’Rourke.
Root admitted the shot was somewhat pre-meditated, having seen the hosts alter the field.
"It wasn't [at first pre-meditated], and then they brought third man up," Root added.
"I was like it's the new ball, they are more likely to go length than short. It's worth a gamble, it's worth the risk!"
India players 'not scarred' by Australia thrashing, insists Rohit
India captain Rohit Sharma insisted his side's thrashing against Australia in their second Test will not leave his players with mental scars.
Australia romped to a 10-wicket triumph in Adelaide on Sunday to level the five-match series, with Travis Head, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins starring for the tourists.
Head's knock of 140 from 141 deliveries in the first innings put the Baggy Greens in control, before Starc and Cummins took 15 wickets between them to seal an impressive victory.
Cummins claimed his ninth Test five-for, with only Richie Benaud (nine) and Imran Khan (12) taking more as a captain for their respective nations.
None of India's players made a half-century in either innings, while their bowling attack failed to capitalise when conditions were in their favour, but Rohit remained positive.
"Firstly, it's not a [mental] scar, it's just we've lost a Test match. We didn't play well enough," he said.
"It's still 1-1 and plenty of things left in this series, and definitely a way for us to get back into it. I am not going to look too much into this game and start worrying about little things.
"A disappointing week for us, we didn't play well, and Australia played better cricket than us and won the Test match. We failed to grab our opportunities. We didn't bat well enough, probably 30-40 runs short with the bat in the first innings.
"There were opportunities when Australia were batting, and we failed to take those chances. When you miss those chances, it’s never easy."
The third Test takes place next Saturday at The Gabba, with India hoping to replicate their last encounter at the iconic venue, when Rishabh Pant’s unbeaten 89 saw them chase down 328 to inflict Australia's first loss there since 1988.
"We are looking forward to it. [We have] some really good memories there. We want to start well and play well. There's not much time in between as well," he said.
"You know we just want to go out there and think about what we did right in Perth, and also what we did last time when we were here."
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