Bring it on!

That was the message to the Caribbean cricket-loving public on Saturday evening when the 2010 ICC World Twenty/20 tournament to be held in the West Indies was launched.

Tickets for the April 30-May 16 men’s and women’s tournament officially went on sale yesterday for a series that will be hosted in four territories--Barbados, Guyana, St Lucia and St Kitts-Nevis.

Barbados are scheduled to host both the men’s and women’s final; St Lucia, all the semi-finals; and St Kitts/Nevis women’s preliminary play.

Prices for the matches will range from as low as US$5 for first round games to US$40 for the finals, while in the party stands, the range will be US$75 for the first round to US$100 for the finals.

There will also be some free admittance and specially low prices for children under 16 for the men’s tournament, while all the women’s matches in St Kitts will be free to the public.

And at the ticket sales launch at Kensington Oval in Barbados Saturday, tournament director Robert Bryan stressed that ICC T20 2010 was not going to be a repeat of the 2007 ICC World Cup in the Caribbean.

’A substantial part of the consideration was to give credence to our experience in 2007, so that the pricing strategy was based on looking at that and also in keeping with ensuring, that this time around, there would be a very substantial base for a wide participation and, thirdly, a focus on the youth market.’

The 2007 tournament, with its higher prices and restrictions on what spectators could take to the grounds, came in for criticism for lacking a Caribbean flavor.

But International Cricket Council (ICC) CEO Haroon Lorgat, who also spoke at the launch, gave the governing body’s backing for a more fan-friendly series.

’We want to see people filling the party stands, enjoying the sights, sounds and fellowship of a day at the cricket. We want them to bring their conch shells, their drums, their flags and banners. We want them to bring their voices, their sense of humour and their passion for the game and for their team,’ he said.

’In short, we recognise the unique nature of cricket in the West Indies and we want this to be a cricket tournament with a genuine West Indian feel. This is another wonderful opportunity for the West Indian countries to prove again their ability to stage a major world event right here in the Caribbean.’

Bryan went further in stressing the organisers’ commitment to an event with a West Indian stamp.

’Obviously, we are treading a fine line between safety and security which we cannot compromise. But I think we have been able to accommodate all of the elements that were issues in 2007,’ he added.

’We are urging Caribbean fans--bring the vibe, bring the entertainment, come ready to make the loudest noise. What we are trying to create here is to impart to the rest of the world what a carnival atmosphere is like.

’We invite you to bring your loudest noise-makers, your best costumes, your brightest colours, your biggest cheers.’

Bryan also assured that preparations for the tournament were on track.

’All organising committees and planning committees are in place and working,’ he said.

’Inspections of all match and practice venues and recommendations for remedial work have been shared with the stadium authorities and work continues to monitor implementation in a timely manner. Specifically, the unique requirements for four dressing rooms have our focus and attention. We are now in the design phase and expect to complete these in the required time frames.

’Our message tonight from the project team is ’we will be ready’.’