2011 World Cup: Hosts could play quarters, semis at home

The host countries of the 2011 cricket World Cup may get to play the quarter-finals and semi-finals matches in their home country if their teams reach those stages.

It means if Bangladesh reaches the semi-final stage it could host the match, though Colombo and Mohali are scheduled to host the first and second semi-final respectively.

The ICC [ Images ] Chief Executives' Committee has made a recommendation in this regard to the ICC Board, which will consider it in its next meeting. The recommnedation came in the CEC meeting in Dubai [ Images ] on Tuesday.

"The CEC supported a request from the Central Organising Committee that, where possible, host countries should play their quarter-finals and semi-finals in their home country.

"Where two co-hosts are involved, the higher-ranked side from the group stage will host the match. This recommendation will now be considered by the Board," an ICC statement said.

The quarter-final stage of the mega event, to be co-hosted by India [ Images ], Sri Lanka [ Images ] and Bangladesh, will begin from March 23

In another important decision, a five-member committee, which also has BCCI secretary N Sriniwasan, has been formed to look into the context for Test and one-day cricket formats post 2012 Future Tour Programme. The committee comprising David Richardson, David Collier, James Sutherland, Nishantha Ranatunga and Srinivasan will draft a discussion paper for the CEC to consider at its next meeting.

The CEC also endorsed ICC's move to work with its stakeholders in forming a coalition to actively address and counteract online piracy.

The CEC approved the Women's Committee's recommendation that the top four women's sides from the ICC World Twenty20 [ Images ] 2010 in the West Indies [ Images ] will earn direct qualification for the ICC World Twenty20 in 2012 in Sri Lanka, while the remaining four teams will come through a qualification process.

The CEC granted ODI status to the Olympic [ Images ] Stadium in Sydney [ Images ] and temporary ODI status to Kon. UDCC in Amsterdam for the ICC World Cricket League to be staged in July next year.