Sir Viv, Lloyd for World Cup Columnists

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – The International Cricket Council (ICC) yesterday unveiled its team of distinguished cricketers who will contribute expert columns in the lead up to and during the ICC’s pinnacle event, the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, which begins in Australia and New Zealand on 14 February.

The first-person columns will be available from the Online Media Zone on a daily basis from yesterday and media can download these for free editorial use, but must credit the ICC by adding 2014 © ICC Development (International) Limited at the bottom of each article.

 Sir Vivian Richards
Sir Vivian Richards
Clive Lloyd
Clive Lloyd

ICC’s expert columnists include Aminul Islam (Bangladesh), Andy Bichel (Australia), Alistair Campbell (Zimbabwe), Paul Collingwood (England), Stephen Fleming (New Zealand), Trent Johnston (Ireland), Javed Miandad (Pakistan), Muttiah Muralidaran (Sri Lanka), Sir Vivian Richards (West Indies), Graeme Smith (South Africa) and Javagal Srinath (India).

In addition to these stalwarts, India’s Sachin Tendulkar and Balwinder Singh Sandhu, Allan Border of Australia, West Indies’ Courtney Walsh and Pakistan’s Inzamam-ul-Haq will also contribute exclusive articles for the ICC.

This initiative is a further enhancement of the ICC’s ongoing service to cricket fans and global media as these celebrated cricketers will share their insight, knowledge and experience through the Online Media Zone.

In the lead up to the tournament, the columnists will discuss a wide range of topics, including reflecting on their time at ICC Cricket World Cups, assessing their respective sides, talking about their highs and lows, discussing how One-Day International cricket has evolved over the years, looking back at some of the best cricketers to have played this exciting format, and looking forward to the players to watch out for during the tournament.

Once the event kicks off, the guest writers will preview and analyse matches as the world’s 14 best sides go head to head for the ultimate prize in the sport in the 44-day tournament during which 49 matches will be played.

Sachin Tendulkar’s column From ball boy to World Cup winner will be the first of a series of first-person articles, which will be released on Wednesday, 31 December at 1000 (Dubai time). This article will be followed by pieces by Stephen Fleming, Javed Miandad and Sir Vivian Richards.

Besides releasing exclusive print content, the ICC will also distribute video interviews of Grant Flower (Zimbabwe), Richard Illingworth (England), Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath (both India), Clive Lloyd (West Indies), Adam Gilchrist and Geoff Marsh (both Australia), and Waqar Younis (Pakistan).

Furthermore, an exclusive video interview with ICC Chief Executive David Richardson, who represented South Africa in the ICC Cricket World Cup 1992 and was ICC’s General Manager – Cricket at the previous three events, will be released on 13 January, a day before the world celebrates one-month to go to the start of the tournament.

This and other video interviews will be available on the Online Media Zoneand can be downloaded for free editorial use. When using these video clips, TV news channels will be requested to credit the International Cricket Council and are reminded that the content can be used for editorial purposes only for a period of 14 days from the date of first release by the ICC.

Commenting on the initiative, ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said: “The involvement of these highly respected cricketers in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in a journalistic role is an exciting initiative. I am sure this enhancement will a broader and better perspective of the game, and at the same time will take the coverage and promotion of ICC’s pinnacle event to a new next level.”

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Collingwood, who is England’s leading run-getter in ODIs and captained his country’s 50-over side from 2007 to 2009, said: “I am delighted to be working as a guest writer for the ICC for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. It will surely be an exciting event and I look forward to sharing my opinions with you in the weeks ahead.”

Miandad, who won the ICC Cricket World Cup 1992 with Pakistan, said: “On the occasion of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, some of the most experienced and knowledgeable cricketers will be writing columns from a historic perspective. I am proud to be part of this privileged panel.”

Muralidaran, who was a member of the Sri Lanka side that won the ICC Cricket World Cup 1996 and is the leading wicket-taker in ODIs, said: “I am pleased that the ICC has offered me the opportunity to share my knowledge and understanding of the game with our passionate cricket fans through columns.

“The ICC Cricket World Cup is the biggest event and it is a privilege to be part of it in any capacity. Like all my other knowledgeable colleagues, I look forward to this exciting experience and playing my role in promoting this wonderful event.”

 

The schedule of exclusive content (to be released at 1000 Dubai time) is as follows: (subject to changes):

Wednesday, 31 December – First-person article by Sachin Tendulkar

Thursday, 1 January – First-person article by Stephen Fleming

Friday, 2 January – First-person article by Javed Miandad

Saturday, 3 January – First-person article by Sir Vivian Richards

Sunday, 4 January – TV interview with Clive Lloyd

Sunday, 4 January – First-person article by Paul Collingwood

Monday, 5 January – First-person article by Balwinder Singh Sandhu

Tuesday, 6 January – First-person article by Allan Border

Wednesday, 7 January – First-person article by Inzamam-ul-Haq

Schedule of exclusive content from Thursday, 8 January to Thursday, 15 January will be announced on January 6, 2015

ICC Media Release.