SYDNEY, Australia (CMC) – The International Cricket Council’s chief executive officer Haroon Lorgat has projected a bright future for the sport in spite of some tough issues facing the game.

In launching the ICC’s centenary year, Lorgat said the world governing body faced ongoing challenges — as it moved into its second hundred years of existence – but stands ready to ensure that the game flourishes.

“Cricket is a game that gets plenty right, has plenty to celebrate and has plenty to look forward to,” Lorgat said.

“The game faces challenges but so does every other major global sport,” he added.

Lorgat listed the international game’s three formats, its medium-term financial security and the emergence of a new generation of leading players, as well as the evidence of history and the great spirit in which cricket was played and enjoyed by millions of people across the world, as reasons why the game should wear a collective smile of pride.

“As the ICC enters its second century, the game faces challenges – safety and security, player workload, balancing formats, ensuring a competitive balance between ICC Members, staying on top of corruption and plenty more besides,” said Lorgat.

“But then again cricket has always faced challenges just as big, if not bigger, than those currently confronting us – bodyline, illegal bowling actions in the 1950s and 1960s and corruption, to name just three. And, as a successful global sport, cricket will not be unique in facing such significant challenges.

“The key we all need to remember is that cricket has always dealt with those past challenges and is now, as a result, stronger than ever.

“We are perhaps the only sport with three viable forms of the game at international level and we are about to launch the world’s first Global Cricket Academy in Dubai with state-of-the-art facilities for the world.

“And, as a governing body that ploughs all money earned back to its members, we have just begun investing US$300 million into the development of the game among our second- and third-tier members, the biggest commitment to grow a sport outside of soccer,” he said.

He acknowledged the departure of big names like West Indies batting genius Brian Lara retiring from the sport in recent years but put faith in new stars to keep cricket’s profile up.

“Greats of the game like Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Shaun Pollock and Brian Lara may have moved on but the recent performances of the likes of Ajantha Mendis, AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn and Ishant Sharma suggest the future is in good hands.

“The start of the ICC’s centenary year gives us all the chances to reflect on the past and look to the future. When I do that I see a game that’s played and enjoyed in a great spirit by millions of people across the world; gets plenty right, has plenty to celebrate and has plenty to look forward to,” he added.