Celebrating Diversity

The 16 teams at the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup 2008 will travel to Malaysia from five continents. Indeed, the sport's leading young players are drawn from a collection of countries unique to cricket.

It is only cricket that brings together so many of the countries of the Caribbean for a common sporting cause; it is 'cricket diplomacy' that has helped draw neighbours India and Pakistan closer together in complex political negotiations; and the most historic cricket contest of them all - the Ashes series between England and Australia - while remaining an intense rivalry, is also the strongest bind between two nations separated by 10,000 miles.

It is for these and many more reasons that the sport and its participants can be proud of the unifying power of international cricket. And that is why players from across the cricket world believe that the diversity of the sport is so important.

"What I enjoy about playing cricket is that every tour is different and I have had the chance to experience things and meet different people that I would never have had an opportunity to if I wasn't an international cricketer," explains Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi. "I can't think of another sport which allows you to see so many diverse places."

For while participants in most other major sports fly-in and fly-out of their competition venues, international cricketers spend weeks, even months, absorbing cultures very different to their own and building friendships as well as rivalries.

This diversity is one of the highlights of the sport for Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh. "I love playing in front of large crowds all around the world," he says. "No matter what country you play in, people are always passionate about cricket. I like the fact the game helps bring people together."

For many playing in this event, it will be their first experience of being in Malaysia, while for others it will be the first time they have played a competitive international match against players from the other side of the world.

To ensure that fans and families from across all communities can enjoy the game without being exposed to any prejudice the ICC anti-racism code - one of the toughest in world sport - will be in force at the event, as at all ICC events. Anyone found making racist comments will be ejected from the ground and faces a range of serious penalties.

For some of the players playing international cricket it is the diversity of the game which provides as much pleasure as success on the field.

As South African star AB De Villiers argues: "Cricket has already brought me all over the world and as a player you are exposed to new cultures and countries which is always interesting and challenging. It is possible to make great friends and broaden your horizons and I feel fortunate to be in that position just by playing the game that I love."