Cricket: ICC eye on U-19 tournament

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The International Cricket Council will do all in their powers to ensure match fixing will not taint next year's under-19 World Cup.

Speaking at the launch of the third cup tournament in Auckland yesterday, ICC president Malcolm Gray said the event would be subject to scrutiny by the council's anti-corruption unit.

"And it goes beyond just match fixing," Gray said.

"These people will bet on anything, from how many players will be wearing sunglasses to how many will come out after lunch wearing floppy hats.

"There is every reason to believe this tournament will be subjected to betting just like any other."

On other aspects, Gray has no doubts about New Zealand's ability to host the 16-team tournament.

"New Zealand showed with last year's women's World Cup and even back in 1992 when they co-hosted the men's World Cup, they are more than capable of hosting such an important tournament."

With television coverage scheduled only for the semifinals and final, there are no plans to use third umpires until that stage.

The 10 test-playing nations will be joined by Canada, Namibia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Scotland and Kenya as emerging teams who qualified on a regional basis for the January 19-February 9 tournament.

Two groups will be based in Christchurch including New Zealand who will play in group B with Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

The other two groups will compete in Auckland and Dunedin.

Defending champions India will play in Auckland, with their key group match certain to be the clash with South Africa at North Harbour Stadium on January 23.

A 20-strong New Zealand squad will be named on November 29.

They will have a training camp in Auckland from December 12-15 and play in the national under-19 tournament, also in Auckland, from December 27-January 4.

The team to play the World Cup will be named on the last day of that tournament.