Indiantelevision.com Team

(16 August 2006 6:00 pm)

MUMBAI: In a bid to create buzz ahead of the Champion Trophy which takes place in India, the International Cricket Council (ICC) will take the trophy on a whistle-stop tour of the country this month.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2006 will run from 7 October to 5 November 2006 with 21 matches in 30 days at four venues in India – Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Mohali and Mumbai. The final will take place at Mumbai's Cricket Club of India.

The tour also includes viewings in Delhi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Kolkata before ending in Bangalore on 31 August.

The public will have the opportunity to take a close look at the trophy, which will be lifted by the captain of the winning side at the final, in Mumbai on 5 November.

ICC president Percy Sonn said, “The opportunity for the Indian public to get to see the ICC Champions Trophy at close quarters is a great idea. It gives them the chance to get a view of the trophy that is usually reserved for a select few, including the winning team.

“And it means that when those members of the public then watch the tournament either at the venues or on television they will know exactly what is at stake for all the sides taking part.”

The ICC Champions Trophy 2006 is supported by ICC's global partners LG Electronics, Pepsi, Hutchison Essar, and Hero Honda and the sponsors Indian Oil, Cable and Wireless and Visa.