The International Cricket Council (ICC) 2015 Cricket World Cup Local Organising Committee met with the Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard, and Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key, in Melbourne Australia.
To mark the occasion, the Prime Ministers were each presented with a specially produced ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC2015) bat signed by the captains of the Australian and New Zealand cricket teams, Michael Clarke and Ross Taylor.
Chairman of the ICC CWC2015 Local Organising Committee (LOC), James Strong, said the support of both Prime Ministers is critical to the delivery of a successful event on and off the field.
“Today represents a significant milestone for the ICC Cricket World Cup local organising committee. I welcome the support of Prime Minister Gillard and Prime Minister Key and look forward to working with both governments to deliver a successful global marquee sporting event,” Mr Strong said.
“Apart from showcasing the best of international cricket, the ICC 2015 Cricket World Cup provides an enormous opportunity to promote both countries as world-class destinations for business, trade and tourism. The event has a potential viewing audience of 953 million people, with some 800 million of those in Asia alone.
“More importantly, the local organising committee wants to make this event the most fan-friendly event of its kind and will take cricket to a wide-range of communities throughout Australia and New Zealand,” Mr Strong said.
Mr Strong said the ICC CWC2015 will have 14 cricketing countries representing their own nation, but together engaging over one fifth of the world’s population.
International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup Local Organising Committee:
James Strong - CHAIRMAN
Ralph Waters - Deputy CHAIRMAN
Wally Edwards - BOARD MEMBER
Chris Moller - BOARD MEMBER
James Sutherland - BOARD MEMBER
David White - BOARD MEMBER (1 FEB 2012)
John Harnden AM - CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (1 FEB 2012)
NOTE: CWC2015 LOC Chief Executive Officer, John Harnden, starts on 1 February 2012.
