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Thursday, 26 April 2007, 19:45 GMT 20:45 UK

Speed admits World Cup too long

Malcolm Speed ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed has admitted to the BBC that the 2007 Cricket World Cup has been too long.

The tournament, which began on 13 March, finishes on Saturday, 28 April.

"We listen to criticism, and there has been a lot of it from people saying it's been too long - so we'll look to make it shorter," he told Five Live.

"We'll seek to reduce this 47-day World Cup by seven or 10 days, and hopefully we'll get it down to somewhere between five and six weeks next time."

Earlier this week, Speed was forced to defend ticket pricing and the format of the World Cup.

"Ticket pricing may have been an issue"
ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed

Reflecting on the first-round exit of India and Pakistan, Speed added: "It has cost the tournament in terms of supporters, but it has also shown that cricket does exist outside the top eight sides.

"To those people who have said the tournament has been too long, it is worth pointing out that there are three fewer matches this time, compared to four years ago, despite an additional two teams taking part.

"It would have been great if every one of the stadia had been full for every match, but that has not happened."



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Related to this story:

ICC chief defends ticket pricing (08 Apr 07 |  Cricket )
Crowd rules relaxed at World Cup (07 Apr 07 |  Cricket )
Cup chief pledges strong finish (02 Apr 07 |  West Indies )
Cup bosses blamed for poor crowds (31 Mar 07 |  West Indies )

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