LONDON, June 25: Sri Lanka and Australian cricket skippers Marvan Atapattu and Ricky Ponting have sent messages of good luck to teams competing in next month’s ICC Trophy in Ireland.

Top five teams in ICC one-day event qualify for 2007 World Cup.

Aussie Ponting said: “I’m aware of the importance of ICC Trophy to the 12 countries. I wish them good fortune.”

Sri Lanka won the inaugural tournament 26 years ago, and Atapattu added: “It was a real stepping stone for Sri Lankan cricket.”

Sri Lanka have since progressed into a genuine force in world cricket, having won the World Cup in 1996.

“We went on to play our first Test match just three years later and less than 15 years after that we won the biggest one-day trophy of all, World Cup,” Atapattu said.

“So it is without hesitation I wish all 12 countries well during the tournament. I shall be following event eagerly to see which five win through to World Cup in West Indies in 2007.

“It would also be good for the game it they sprung a few surprises in West Indies — but not against Sri Lanka, please!”

Competing teams such as Uganda and Oman are a far cry from quality of Australia, but Ponting realises significance of ICC Trophy in terms of world cricket.

“I am conscious of how much is at stake during the tournament – not only places in the World Cup, but also how success will boost the sport in respective countries,” he said.—Agencies