Dubai, Aug 27 (IBNS) International Cricket Council (ICC) President Alan Isaac has thanked Cricket Australia for a successful staging of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2012 and has praised the volunteers, organisers and sponsors for providing a lifetime opportunity to the future stars of international cricket, enabling them to show their talent and potential on a world stage.
“It has truly been a world-class tournament. It is the first time the event has returned to Australia since it was first staged here 24 years ago and I know the cricketers have appreciated the level of organisation and expertise that was brought to the event,” Isaac said.
“I am truly grateful to Cricket Australia, Queensland Cricket and the ICC team for the way in which they put the whole thing together. It has been really very impressive,” he said.
“Special thanks to Events Queensland, who, in conjunction with Cricket Australia and the people of Brisbane and Townsville, backed this event so magnificently.
"These partners had little time to prepare for this event as it was only last year that Australia and Queensland, in particular, were awarded this tournament,” said Isaac.
The ICC President, who watched Sunday’s final between Australia and India, said: “The contribution of the volunteers has been really excellent. They worked tirelessly and contributed immensely to the success of this tournament.
“The ground staff at the various venues also deserve recognition for their talent and devotion in producing wickets that allowed all the 16 sides to display their skills in perfect conditions."
Isaac hoped a lot of cricketers from this event will graduate to international cricket and will return to Australia and New Zealand when the two countries stage the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2015.
“I’m sure all the cricketers have cherished the experience of playing in world-class facilities here in Queensland which will provide them a roadmap for the future and help them to improve as cricketers.
“I look forward to finding out which of them make it through to the elite level and perhaps even return to Australia and New Zealand with their senior sides for the ICC Cricket World Cup in less than three years’ time.”
Isaac congratulated India for winning the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup for the third time.
“It has been an incredible performance by India. The way the team bounced back after losing the tournament opener reflects the talent and self-confidence of the side.
"And with captain Unmukt Chand leading the side from the front with a century in the final, it just sums up three great weeks for them in Townsville," he said.
“Congratulations also to Will Bosisto’s Australia side, which gave a very good account of itself throughout the tournament. It’s just bad luck that the home side’s unbeaten run in the tournament had to come to an end in the final.
“Lastly, I would like to thank all the players and members of the support staff for giving their best performances while upholding the spirit of our Great Sport. I am sure the players will take a lot of positives from this tournament, including the education they received on anti-corruption, anti-doping and media relations,” Isaac said.
The 10th edition of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup will be staged in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2014.