Double wicket competitions are still a popular draw the world over. And the organisers of a double wicket tournament at Lincoln Park near New Jersey in the USA, have managed to rope in teams from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. A synthetic surface has been installed after having been imported from South Africa. The competition is being organised by Sports World Inc and the matches will be played on July 12, 13 and 15.

The leading Indian cricketers will be in between international engagements. The Zimbabwe tour ends on July 8 and the Sri Lankan tour commences on July 20. In the absence of the stars, Sunil Joshi, Hrishikesh Kanitkar, Robin Singh and Vinod Kambli will represent India. Although it is a private competition, the players had to take permission from the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

The list of participating players is expected to include Shahid Afridi, Aravinda de Silva and Aminul Islam. Besides the trophy, the winning pair will receive $25,000 and the runners-up $12,000. The losing semi-finalists will get $4000 each. Depending on the success of the competition, the organisers hope to make this an annual event.

© CricInfo