ICC to give more than 9 million dollar to six associates

LONDON, June 29 (Reuters) The International Cricket Council (ICC) will give more than 9 million dollar to six associate member countries in an effort to raise standards before the 2011 World Cup.

In an interview published on the Cricinfo Web site, outgoing president Ehsan Mani said the money would go to Bermuda, Canada, Ireland, Kenya, the Netherlands and Scotland.

Mani said the need for improved standards was the major task facing the world governing body.

''We are going to be spending a huge amount of money in trying to do this and we need to make sure it works,'' he said.

''No game can sustain itself in the long term if it is only played by 10 countries.'' REUTERS PDS DS1648