Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Test mace and ODI shield to be presented to Ponting and Smith in Johannesburg


Media conference set for Wanderers Club on Wednesday as Australia and South Africa captains will also pick up cheques for US$175,000 as their teams will be top of the Test and ODI tables at 1 April cut-off 

The presentation of the Reliance Mobile ICC Test Championship mace and the Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Championship shield plus prize money cheques will be made to the captains of the Australia and South Africa teams in Johannesburg on Wednesday 25 March. 

The ceremony will take place at the Wanderers Club, 21 North Road, Illovo, Johannesburg (NOT Wanderers Stadium), at 1230 (South Africa time) on Wednesday and the presentations will be made by David Richardson, ICC General Manager – Cricket. 

Captain Ricky Ponting will accept the mace and a cheque for US175,000 on behalf of Cricket Australia for leading the team that finishes top of the Test Championship table on the annual cut-off date of 1 April. He will also pick up a cheque for US$75,000 for coming second in the ODI Championship on the same date. 

Meanwhile, Graeme Smith will accept the shield and a cheque for US$175,000 on behalf of Cricket South Africa in recognition of his team finishing top of the ODI Championship table. He will also accept a cheque for US$75,000 for being second in the Test Championship on the 1 April cut-off. 

There will be a photo opportunity and an opportunity for a brief question-and-answer session with both captains and Mr Richardson. All bona fide members of the media are invited to attend. Please be in place to begin the presentation ceremony no later than 1215 on Wednesday. 

WHO: Ricky Ponting, Graeme Smith, David Richardson 

WHAT: Presentation of Reliance Mobile ICC Test Championship mace and ODI Championship shield along with winners’ and runners-up’s cheques 
WHERE: Wanderers Club, 21 North Road, Illovo, Johannesburg (NOT Wanderers Stadium) 

WHEN: Wednesday 25 March at 1230 (SA time) 

Before the Test series that finished in Cape Town on Sunday, Australia’s lead in the Test Championship had been cut to five ratings points and a series win of any kind would have been enough for South Africa to go top. But after its disappointment of losing 2-1 at home to the Proteas, Australia emerged stronger and more determined than ever to stay on top of the world and managed to secure a 2-1 series win of its own

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