Top run-rate in World Cup history

The ICC 2011 Cricket World Cup top the average run-rate of more than five runs per over for the first time in its 36-year-old history.

The tenth version of the event averaged 5.03 per over, compared to the preceding highest of 4.95 per over in the 2007 competition in the West Indies.

The scoring rate has changed since the first three edition in 1975, 1979 and 1983 during which per innings consisted of 60 overs, somewhat than the current 50 over-format.

In difference to the overall trend of a rising run rate, average runs per wicket have remained reliable all through the history of the rivalry. The only exception was the 1979 edition, thanks to the unsatisfactory English summer.

David Richardson, ICC general manager (cricket), said: "The statistics are a clear design of the thrilling cricket that was played during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011."

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Yuvraj hail Gary "the father figure"

India's colorful batsman Yuvraj Singh has hail team coach Gary Kirsten as the father figure and would be missed.

For all the joy that the ICC Cricket World Cup victory has brought in, there is also a dash of sadness in the Indian cricket team as it marks the end of inspiring coach Gary Kirsten's tenure and batsman Yuvraj Singh says the "father figure" would be missed. "He always reserved a check on me. He pull me up when the chips were down. He is a father figure and I am going to miss him," .

Kirsten, under whose leadership India became the number one Test and ODI side, broken with the team's World Cup title achievement and he has already ruled out reconsider the decision. "Cricket has been in the right way since Gary came on and I hope it will remain so," said Yuvraj.

The striking left-hander, who was named Man of the competition for a fine show with both bat and ball, said winning the mega-event was a dream realised. "It's like living a dream. It still hasn't ruined in and the guys haven't sleep. We have kissed the trophy about a 1000 times," he said.

"I am very conceited of the team and myself. Our dream was to make the finals but to win it was strange. Now I understand what it means to be a world champion," he added.

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ICC confirms 10-team World Cup arrangement

The ICC has established the next two World Cups will be contest by 10 teams, commerce a major blow to connect nations such as Ireland.

The recently finished competition featured 14 sides but the ICC management board had made their intention clear last October to cut that by four for the 2015 and 2019 events.

There was opposition from relate nations, who felt their likely keeping out from the World Cup would hinder growth, and the cause took on new thrust when Ireland beaten England in the group stages. The decision-making board discusses the issue again at a planned meeting in Mumbai on Monday, with the opportunity of a 12-team competition under consideration.

But in its place the board members determined to assert their previous decision, with only the full member nations invited to the next World Cup before an ability process is opened ahead of 2019. A statement following the meeting read: "The management board established their decision, made in October 2010, that the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in Australia and New Zealand and the ICC Cricket World Cup in England in 2019 will be a 10-team event.

"The board approved that the 2015 World Cup will include the existing 10 full members, however, they gave notice to all full members that contribution in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup will be strong-minded on the basis of qualification. It was also decided that post the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 there will be encouragement and demotion introduced in the ODI League."

The board also congratulate 2011 co-hosts India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh on a successful World Cup, hail the quality of cricket on show and the uptake of tickets and declaring the event "an outstanding financial success".

ICC president Sharad Pawar added: "The tournament unbreakable the attraction of 50-over cricket and showed the interest and excitement generated by nation-versus-nation cricket. "There is no uncertainty that this event has been a great announcement for ODI cricket. I would like to congratulate both the Indian team and the Sri Lankan team for a be suitable final match at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai which was played in the best of feelings and provided great activity to millions following the game the world over."

A number of other topics were debate in Mumbai, with an accord passed to donate one million US dollars (£619,735) to New Zealand Cricket towards rebuilding their offices following the earthquake which hit Christchurch in February. Additionally, it was confirmed that the workings of the anti-corruption unit were to be review after a year in which spot-fixing has loom large on the horizon.

The ICC statement continued: "A globally famous company has been selected to review the operations of the ICC Anti Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) as part of the learning following the Pakistan spot-fixing allegation. Sir Ronnie Flanagan, the ACSU chairman, report that the initial recommendation following this review will be accessible to the board in June."

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