Speed apologises for blunder

ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed has apologised for the blunder that left players competing in near darkness during Saturday’s World Cup final.

“We are all very sorry, it shouldn’t have happened,” Speed said in a press conference today.

“We very sincerely apologise for the error that was made. It was an unnecessary error, a fundamental error; it was made under difficult circumstances at the end of the match.”

“It’s not a good image for the game. It was unfortunate – a very sad way to finish the World Cup.”

However, Speed said he would not be seeking the resignation of any of the umpires involved in the incident.

“We are not going to over-react to this. The umpires and Jeff Crowe, they had earned the right to umpire in the World Cup Final because they are outstanding umpires and an outstanding referee,” he said.