Cricket Shorts

FRIDAY MATCHES MAY COST BRITAIN DEARLY

LONDON: The World Cup, due to start on Tuesday and last almost two months, could hit Britain's economic productivity by £270 million (S$810 million).

'Two of England's matches, against New Zealand on March 16 and against Pakistan on March 30, are on Friday afternoons and will be very tempting to those who feel inclined to stay on in the pub after lunch,' said a study by the Centre for Economics and Business Research.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE



WORLD CUP TROPHY DAMAGED

MUMBAI: The World Cup trophy, which was kept on display in India by one of the International Cricket Council's (ICC) global sponsors, has been damaged, organisers said yesterday.

The silverware has been sent to the ICC's base in Dubai.

'The lower gold ring of the trophy was detached from the wooden base when we received the trophy from the ICC,' a statement from the organisers said.

'The ICC policy does not allow anyone except the official trophy-makers to repair or polish the trophy.'

REUTERS