New Zealand gained one of the plums of world cricket, the staging of the 16-team ICC Under-19 World Cup event, more or less by popular acclaim.

Speaking at the official launch today of the tournament to be staged in three New Zealand centres in January-February, Malcolm Gray, president of the International Cricket Council, said New Zealand's standing in international organisation was very high.

"We well remember the outstanding work New Zealand did when they co-hosted with Australia the 1992 World Cup," said Gray.

"Then when we were talking at ICC about the venue of the Under-19 event, people kept referring to the fantastic job New Zealand had done in staging the Women's World Cup late last year."

Gray said that with 16 entries the Under-19 event represented the biggest international coverage for any ICC world contest. Included with the established Test-playing countries were Nepal, among the latest admitted to ICC membership, Canada, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Scotland and Kenya.

Gray said the introduction of new teams at international level was part of the ICC development plan, and would help the growth of the game in the newer countries.

Martin Snedden, the New Zealand Cricket chief executive, said the cost of the tournament would come from the ICC funds made available by sponsorship, after Gray had raised a chuckle by saying he was meeting the tournament cost from his own pocket.

Snedden also paid a compliment to Gray and his new ICC administration.

"For a long period I think we thought the ICC was a reasonably ineffective organisation.

"I have been to recent ICC meetings in London and Kuala Lumpur, and have been highly impressed by the dynamic leadership of Malcolm Gray, and his chief executive Malcolm Speed."

Snedden said NZC hoped to arrange television coverage of the semi-finals and final of the Under-19 event, and would also try to obtain cover of some earlier matches.

Tournament details:

Teams - Group A: India, South Africa, Bangladesh, Canada. Group B: Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Namibia, Zimbabwe. Group C: Pakistan, England, Nepal, Papua New Guinea. Group D: Australia, West Indies, Scotland, Kenya.

Group matches will take place from January 19-25. The top two teams from each of the four groups will qualify for the Super League, to be played in two groups at Lincoln and Christchurch. The bottom two teams from each group will play in the Plate in two groups, at Auckland.

Super League and Plate matches, January 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, February 1. Top two teams from each Super League group will qualify for the Super League semi-finals and the top two Plate teams qualify for the Plate semi-finals, these matches to be played at Lincoln February 3, 4, 6.

The Plate final will be on February 8, and the World Cup final on February 9, both at Lincoln.

© CricInfo