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Thousands of lucky cricket fans around the world had their dream come true today – and will next year be enjoying some of the best matches in ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 in person.

As all those who applied for tickets to the signature Event went about their daily business, the ballot for the allocation of tickets for oversubscribed matches and categories was held in Kingston, Jamaica – at stake was the chance to see the Finals and Semi-Finals of the tournament as well as other high-profile matches which attracted huge numbers of applications during the three-month opening phase of Public Ticketing.

The computerised system, which randomly selected the successful applicants, was overseen by ICC CWC 2007 Project Officer – Ticketing, Delroy Taylor. Various other officials, including ICC CWC 2007 Managing Director & CEO, Chris Dehring, witnessed the ballot process. Auditors from KPMG – Senior Manager, Wilbert Spence, and Senior Accountant, Donna Spencer – observed to ensure that all procedures were carried out as specified.

“The completion of this ballot today signifies the end of the Application Phase of Public Ticketing and we will soon be moving to Phase 2 where fans will actually be able to purchase tickets on a ‘first come, first served’ basis,” said Taylor.

Apart from determining which applicants would be allocated match tickets for various oversubscribed matches and categories, the ballot also determined which applicants were randomly allocated tickets in lower-priced categories. Applicants were given the option of securing tickets in a lower-priced category if they were unsuccessful in being allocated tickets in their first-choice category. This option only obtained for persons seeking Single Match tickets.

Regarding the role of KPMG, Spence said he and his colleague were mandated “to observe the allocation of tickets and to ascertain that the procedures for the allocations were done as documented”.

“We are satisfied that this was done,” he confirmed, following the ballot.

Explaining what will happen next, Taylor said applicants who provided an email address will receive a notification email. Those who applied at ICC CWC 2007 Official Ticket Centres in the nine Host Venues will be telephoned and informed of when they can collect their notifications from the Official Ticket Centres.

Phase 2 of Public Ticketing will run from Friday September 1, 2006, to Thursday November 30, 2006, with the remaining tickets being available for sale online and at the Official Ticket Centres.

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With the school holidays drawing to a close, children have the opportunity to watch the last action in the Bears’ Pro40 League campaign at Edgbaston for just £1 per match.

It will be kids for a quid for the two remaining Pro40 League matches.  This offer is applicable for the following games –

Warwickshire Bears v. Essex Eagles on Sunday 27 August from 1.45pm
Warwickshire Bears v. Durham Dynamos on Sunday 3 September from 12.45pm

The Bears are fighting to move up the table in this exciting new Pro40 competition.  It is a great Sunday afternoon out for all the family.  Not only is there first class cricket with the likes of Nick Knight and Heath Streak on show, but bouncy castles and an inflatable slide are at the ground for children to enjoy.

Neil Carter, Junior Bears Skipper, says, “it is great that the kids have the opportunity to come and support the Bears for just a pound.  It’d be a real treat to catch some cricket before school restarts.  Perhaps a few who enjoy their day out at Edgbaston will sign up for the Junior Bears next summer.”

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Northamptonshire County Cricket Club is to become the first sports club in the country to publish their own fully interactive, digital magazine.

Northamptonshire County Cricket Club (NCCC) is to release a digital magazine, entitled “Deep Cover”.  The magazine will be written by some of the country’s leading sports journalists and include articles written by 1st XI players.

Deep Cover will be launched at NCCC’s home, floodlit Pro40 game against Sussex on 29th of August.  The fortnightly magazine will include, amongst other things; exclusive player interviews, feature articles written by the players themselves and embedded videos of game highlights, coaching sessions and player projects.  Fans will be able to receive the magazine for free by submitting their email addresses on the club’s website or by filling in cards that will be handed out at the ground.

The first issue is due to feature an interview with NCCC’s and England’s new spin-bowling sensation, Monty Panesar, and a feature written by David Wigley (an NCCC player) on how his team mates would fair in the Big Brother house.

The magazine, being developed with a local digital publishing company, MMM Insight, will use new page-turning technology.  This means that readers will be able to read Deep Cover as per a normal magazine, albeit on a computer screen.  Videos and audio can be seamlessly embedded in the pages, allowing a full multimedia experience.

NCCC’s Chief Executive, Mark Tagg, commented, “We are always looking for innovative ways to communicate with our supporters, raise our profile and generate revenue.  That we are doing this by publishing our own magazine and allowing our fans much greater access to their players is particularly exciting.”

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