Twenty20 World Cup countdown begins

The 100-day countdown to the Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka from September 18 began from Sunday with more than 350 school children from Kandy district forming a giant 100 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

At a special event held to commemorate the day, the International Cricket Council, together with Sri Lanka Cricket, donated 100 cricket bats amongst the girls and boys who participated in competitive cricket in Kandy district.

The Twenty20 World Cup will be staged from September 18 to October 7 in Colombo, Hambantota and Pallekele, with the women's group stages in Galle.

The ICC also announced the launch of more tickets for all matches of the Twenty20 World Cup from June 12 onwards.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said, "We are now 100 days away from the first ICC World Twenty20 tournament in Asia. This year's event promises to be even more explosive as player skills in the T20 format have expanded and cricket fans from around the world are dashing to be in Sri Lanka," he said in an ICC release.

The ticket prices will start from $ 0.25 for the single group games and the final will be priced between $ 2.50 and $ 45.

The Women's Twenty20 World Cup will be free of charge for spectators in the group stages, which will be played in Galle.

The semifinals and final will be played on the same day on the same ground as the men's semifinals and final and will be covered by the same ticket.