Cricket Australia thrilled to be staging ICC Super Series

Cricket Australia is delighted at the International Cricket Council's (ICC) decision to stage the inaugural ICC Super Series in Australia in October 2005.

The Super Series - a first for world cricket - will see a combined World XI compete against the number one ranked one-day international team in a three-match series at the Telstra Dome on 5, 7 and 9 October 2005, and a World XI competing against the number one Test nation in a one-off six-day Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from 14 October 2005.

With Australia well placed to be the number one team in both forms of the game as at the 1 April 2005 cut off date, Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer, James Sutherland said that Cricket Australia had good reason to ask that the showcase event be played in front of the Australian public.

"On cricketing grounds we had a reasonable case, but with the significant support of a number of key partners, we were able to present the ICC with a compelling argument in favour of Australia hosting the event," said Mr Sutherland.

"The appeal of our bid to host the Series was no doubt assisted by the tremendous support we received from the NSW Major Events Board, the Victorian Major Events Company, the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust, Telstra Dome, and the Nine Network. With the possibility of up to one billion television viewers globally, it will bring significant exposure to New South Wales, Victoria, and Australia as a whole," said Mr Sutherland.

The number one ranking will be determined by the nation who heads the respective Test and one-day tables as of 1 April 2005. Australia currently leads both tables.

Mr Sutherland said that the traditional drawing capacity of the SCG and the uniqueness of Telstra Dome provided Cricket Australia with a competitive advantage in putting its case.

"Telstra Dome is the only ICC-approved cricket ground in the world with a roof. Players, spectators, broadcasters and sponsors can prepare for the Series with certainty, knowing that inclement weather will not delay any of the three one day internationals," said Mr Sutherland.

"The SCG is a classic Test cricket ground and has consistently drawn big crowds across an entire Test match. The first three days of the Test matches against England and India were sold out during the last two New Year's Day Tests with large numbers attending right up until the last day.

"The ICC is yet to provide details about selection of the Rest of the World team and when tickets will go on sale, but we will advise this information to the public as soon as it comes to hand," said Mr Sutherland.

The Premier of Victoria, Steve Bracks said securing the first ICC Super Series was a fantastic coup for Australia.

"Work done by the Victorian Major Events Company and Cricket Australia to produce the winning bid has been outstanding," Mr Bracks said.

"Securing this historic event reaffirms Melbourne's status as the events and sporting capital.

"Thousands of interstate and international visitors are expected to come to Victoria for the series and Melbourne will be promoted throughout the world in the lead up to the 2006 Commonwealth Games."

"The Super Series will be a significant addition to Melbourne's major events calendar with the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, the Australian Open Tennis, the Melbourne stopover for the 2005/06 Volvo Ocean Race and the Commonwealth Games all to be held within six months."

The Premier of NSW, Mr Bob Carr today welcomed the news that Sydney will host the ICC Super Series Test in October 2005 - an event that will inject up to $16 million into the State's economy.

"Sydney has secured another marquee event," Mr Carr said.

"On the heels of the best ever Olympics and Rugby World Cup, today's decision confirms Sydney's international reputation as the city that delivers the biggest, best and friendliest sporting events.

"And there is no better place to host the world's best cricketers than the world's greatest cricket ground - the SCG," Mr Carr said.

Mr Sutherland said that the series would be a great promotion of the game and provided the Australian public with a unique cricketing experience.

"This is the first ICC event to be held in Australia since the 1992 World Cup. The event gives Cricket Australia a wonderful opportunity to further demonstrate its ability to host a major international cricket event and we are determined to ensure that it is a huge success.

"It is rare for the world's best cricketers to perform together on the one stage and this should provide a brilliant spectacle for the fans who come along," said Mr Sutherland.

"Should the Australian team remain on top of the world rankings, I am sure all our players will relish the challenge of playing against the world's best," said Mr Sutherland.

For more information, please contact:

Cricket Australia Public Affairs
Ph: +61 3 9653 9999

Victorian Major Events Company
Melissa Arch
0409 509 677
melissa.arch@minstaff.vic.gov.au