Plan B well underway for staging 2011 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand

Wellington, Feb 24 (ANI): Former New Zealand cricket manager Lindsay Crocker is working on a contingency plan for staging the 2011 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand if it is shifted due to security concerns in the Indian subcontinent.

The 2011 World Cup is scheduled to be held in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in February-March and with the ICC not wanting to postpone the tournament; New Zealand and Australia are now in line to be co-hosts.

The Dominion Post reports that Crocker was asked by the International Cricket Council a year ago to piece together plan B for the 50-over tournament because it is scheduled for the security troubled subcontinent.

Now as the security situation deteriorates, Crocker is shaping as a key figure as the ICC agonises over whether to formalise the background work he has done on both sides of the Tasman.

Crocker confirmed his role on Tuesday, but preferred not to speak publicly, saying it could detract from everyone's wish that the tournament goes ahead as planned in Asia.

However, one insider said Crocker was involved deeply in his arrangements and had visited nearly all the major cricket venues on both sides of the Tasman to make sure they were in a position to stage games at relatively short notice.

The source said Crocker was simply waiting for the green light from the ICC to begin booking venues, accommodation and air flights but the ICC was reluctant to commit because it would start to incur costs.

The source added the ICC probably only had another month up its sleeve before arrangements would need to be formally put in place to secure grounds, hotels and travel details for large groups over a period of six weeks. (ANI)