England and Wales Cricket Board have proposed ICC to confirm Lord’s Cricket Ground for hosting 2019 cricket world cup final. This is going to be fifth time when ICC world cup final will be hosted at Lord’s as this venue has already hosted 1975, 1979, 1983 and 1999 cricket world cup finals successfully. The ground will also host 2017 ICC Women’s world cup final.
ECB has also suggested that we can have 2019 ICC world cup semi-finals at Edgbaston Cricket Ground and Old Trafford Cricket Ground. The inaugural match of tournament can be hosted at The Oval. Leeds, Durham, Cardiff, Nottingham, Southampton and Bristol are recommended to organize group matches of the 12th cricket world cup. International Cricket Council will confirm the venues in future.
The ECB Chairman Giles Clarke said, “The ICC Cricket World Cup attracts television audiences which have the potential to outstrip all other major international sporting events. As chairman of the ICC’s Financial and Commercial Affairs Committee I know that we are anticipating a global television audience of more than two billion for the final.”
“ECB is extremely proud to be staging the tournament which follows the Olympics and the Rugby World Cup in the list of truly global events being held in this country. Multi-cultural Britain ensures that all the teams competing in the ICC Cricket World Cup will have generous support in all the games they play in what promises to be a global celebration of cricket.”
International Cricket Council Chief Executive David Richardson said, “The ECB has a long-standing reputation for its ability to host world-class events and the ICC is delighted that the ECB is hosting three global events between 2017 and 2019, each at quality venues. Following on from our recently announced global broadcast partnership with Star India / Middle East, we are confident that all three tournaments will generate unprecedented worldwide audiences in what is widely regarded as the traditional home of cricket.”
Steve Elworthy, ECB Head of Global Events said, “The tournament will showcase the exceptional facilities which now exist at our leading grounds after a period of sustained investment in everything from stands to drainage to floodlights. The format of the tournament is also widely considered to be the most exciting with all teams playing each other in a 10-team group which will be followed by two semi-finals and a final at the iconic Lord’s ground. It is also fitting that Lord’s should be proposed to host the ICC Women’s World Cup final in 2017.”
West Indies won 1975, 1979 world cup finals at Lord’s cricket ground whereas India lift first world cup in the same ground in 1983. Australia also won their second cricket world cup after 1987 in 1999 at The Lord’s stadium. 10 teams will participate in 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.
