Programmes look back at the rich history of The Cup That Counts through stories told by the players who experienced the highs and lows
The ICC Cricket World Cup (ICC CWC), the game’s flagship tournament, now has a definitive visual history thanks to a new series of 12 television programmes.
The programmes produced by ESPN STAR Sports, the ICC’s global production and broadcast partner, looks back at the event’s rich history through stories told by the players who experienced the highs and the lows. This audio-visual history beautifully captures the precious moments that will stand the test of time.
They feature extensive interviews with all seven ICC CWC-winning captains – Clive Lloyd, Kapil Dev, Allan Border, Imran Khan, Arjuna Ranatunga, Stephen Waugh and Ricky Ponting.
And they also include the views of some other pivotal figures from each tournament, including Sachin Tendulkar, Shane Warne, Ian Botham, Mike Gatting, Wasim Akram, Sanath Jayasuriya, Martin Crowe and Brett Lee.
Broadcast by ESPN STAR Sports and other official ICC broadcasters, they are the perfect lead-in for cricket fans ahead of next year’s ICC CWC in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka that begins on 19 February.
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The programmes chart the evolution of the ICC CWC from humble beginnings in 1975 through to its current status as The Cup That Counts.
Each of the nine previous tournaments are recalled and analysed, and the seven victorious captains also have a programme devoted to their own personal recollections of achieving the ultimate honour in the game – lifting the ICC Cricket World Cup.
Manu Sawhney, ESPN STAR Sports Managing Director, said: “The ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 will draw massive interest from around the globe as cricket’s flagship event, and this compelling cricket programming is a must watch for all cricket fans in the lead up to next year’s showpiece event.
“As the global production and broadcast rights holder for ICC events, this documentary was produced to highlight the proud history and traditions of the Cricket World Cup in perspective to the upcoming blockbuster event next February, and we hope that cricket fans will enjoy every minute of it.”
ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said: “The ICC Cricket World Cup is cricket’s flagship tournament – it’s The Cup That Counts - so we are delighted that, for the first time, a definitive series of programmes charting its history has been produced.
“The programmes feature the key players from the first nine editions dating back to the inaugural event in 1975 and will serve as the essential historical record of the ICC Cricket World Cup. The timing of its release is also a perfect lead in to the 2011 tournament.
“It is a must-watch television show, not only for those who love and watch the game but also for those who have no real knowledge of our great sport. The programmes capture vividly the fantastic national drama that only the ICC Cricket World Cup can produce. These documentaries are the best possible illustration of why the ICC Cricket World Cup is the biggest and best tournament in the game.”
Imtiaz Patel, Group CEO of MultiChoice South Africa, one the ICC’s official broadcasters for the ICC CWC, said: “The ICC Cricket World Cup is full of extraordinary feats, intense rivalries and gripping human drama, and we look forward to highlight the many personalities and teams that have made this stellar event so well celebrated around the world.
“SuperSport is delighted to be showing every match of the 2011 edition live to its subscribers and this additional content will complement the live transmissions superbly. With the extensive research and value put into the production of these documentaries, this cricket programming will certainly bolster the interest leading up to this remarkable global sports event.”
In total, there are 12 programmes – two devoted to an overall history of the ICC CWC, a further nine on each edition of the tournament (1975, 1979, 1983, 1987, 1992, 1996, 1999, 2003 and 2007) and one in which the captains provide their memories of what it took to lift cricket’s greatest prize.