Spirit of Cricket a high priority of IPL

MUMBAI, April 15: Tim Wright cluck-clucked in regret when told that a Hampshire U-17 team was in the city training and playing matches at Bombay Gymkhana under a programme of the World Cricket Academy. Wright has played for the Hampshire U-19 team.

Wright, an IMG veteran from England, has been drafted temporarily to head IMG India over the next four to five months and ensure that the IPL is conducted smoothly and without glitches.

The history of sport shows that big money and the sporting spirit do not go hand in hand. But Wright, senior vice-president, IMG, hopes it won't be so at the Indian Premier League. He said together with the other branding, the promos of the Spirit of Cricket will be greatly visible at every venue including the opening ceremony. He was sad the press didn't give wide publicity to the news of IPL joining hands with the Marylebone Cricket Club to support the MCC Spirit of Cricket.

"The pioneering agreement will see each of the eight Indian franchises sign an MCC Spirit of Cricket Declaration at the IPL opening ceremony to demonstrate their commitment towards upholding the spirit of the game.", said Wright. He said they had in mind an audio-visual which will project this Spirit of Cricket. He expects Martin Crowe to be roped in to speak on the Spirit of Cricket.

Wright said the players in the IPL are role models for an entire generation of youth and it is crucial for youngsters all over the world to learn straight away the values of this great game and the spirit in which it should be played.

"We won't focus on the negatives and there have been too many of late but we will only project the positives of the Spirit of Cricket."

MCC secretary and Chief Executive, Keith Bradshaw has already been quoted as saying, "We are delighted that, right from the outset, the DLF Indian Premier League is embracing the MCC Spirit of Cricket initiative. This is an innovative and forward-thinking league that has captured the imagination of the cricketing world and it is pleasing that each player and each team will play their part in supporting the very best traditions of the game."