Champions Trophy tournament director Steve Elworthy believes it is vital
this summer’s competition is a success for English cricket and used as a
platform to build for the 2019 World Cup.
England are hosting the premier event in six years’ time using what will be a similar format to this summer’s eight-team competition. The 15-game Champions Trophy will take place over 17 days at Edgbaston, The Oval and the Swalec Stadium this June.
“It’s incredibly important it is a success now so we can build for 2019, when we host it,” said Elworthy. “It’s a shame it [the Champions Trophy] is pencilled in to be the last one, it really is a fantastic tournament. I think it will reflect a lot closer to what the 2019 World Cup will be — a 10-team tournament.”
He added: “I definitely think it is about that shorter period, getting a global event played within a month — and that is definitely an attraction.
“It can tend to drag on, but this particular tournament is three weeks and has the top eight teams, it has an attraction.
“From a media, promotion and broadcaster’s perspective it is absolutely appealing.”
That appeal could have been dampened with the tournament taking place during an Ashes summer, but with seven of the matches sold out barring returns, there is certainly interest.
“At the back of your mind there is always going to be a bit of a niggle — I would be lying if I said that wasn’t the case,” Elworthy said.
“It does attract the other nations. The Ashes of course is a huge event in itself, but the Sri Lankans, Pakistan, West Indies fans are drawn. Those supporters are very passionate and will come out in their thousands to support their team.”
England are hosting the premier event in six years’ time using what will be a similar format to this summer’s eight-team competition. The 15-game Champions Trophy will take place over 17 days at Edgbaston, The Oval and the Swalec Stadium this June.
“It’s incredibly important it is a success now so we can build for 2019, when we host it,” said Elworthy. “It’s a shame it [the Champions Trophy] is pencilled in to be the last one, it really is a fantastic tournament. I think it will reflect a lot closer to what the 2019 World Cup will be — a 10-team tournament.”
He added: “I definitely think it is about that shorter period, getting a global event played within a month — and that is definitely an attraction.
“It can tend to drag on, but this particular tournament is three weeks and has the top eight teams, it has an attraction.
“From a media, promotion and broadcaster’s perspective it is absolutely appealing.”
That appeal could have been dampened with the tournament taking place during an Ashes summer, but with seven of the matches sold out barring returns, there is certainly interest.
“At the back of your mind there is always going to be a bit of a niggle — I would be lying if I said that wasn’t the case,” Elworthy said.
“It does attract the other nations. The Ashes of course is a huge event in itself, but the Sri Lankans, Pakistan, West Indies fans are drawn. Those supporters are very passionate and will come out in their thousands to support their team.”
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