ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Venue and Schedule (What you need to know)
With the exhilarating prospect of competitive leather on international willow barrelling its way ever closer we thought it was time to give you the lowdown on everything you need to know about the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.
In this profile we’ll be exploring the venues hosting the event throughout England and Wales as well as casting a keen eye over the busy schedule ahead to make sure you have all the information you need at your fingertips, whether you’ll be attending matches in person or enjoying the sporting bonanza that is the 2019 Cricket World Cup, from the comfort of a TV screen at home. So sit back, relax, and let us take you on a tour around the venerable grounds of the home of world cricket.
Decided way back in 2006, the co-hosts for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 are to be England and Wales. In a change to the previous tournaments formats there will only be 10 teams competing thus reducing the number of venues used throughout the tournament.
But it is still a dizzying tour the length and breadth of England and Wales taking in grounds as far North as Durham’s home, The Emirates Riverside in Chester-Le-Street, right the way back down South to Hampshire’s (Ageas) Rose Bowl ground in Southampton. Representing the most easterly of 2019’s venues is Surrey’s magnificent Oval in London not to mention a westbound foray across the border into Wales for matches held at Cardiff and Glamorgan’s home ground of Sophia Gardens.
All in all there are 11 grounds being used as venues for ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Let’s take a closer look at each ground and see what makes these hallowed wickets – household names throughout the World – so special. As soon as final schedules are released we’ll update this post with dates, times and teams for matches at each venue.
Edgbaston, Birmingham (Warwickshire).
Famous for its vocal and intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams, Warwickshire’s home ground has a long and illustrious history of international cricket. Hosting its first Ashes test as early as 1902, it’s a venue feared by visiting International teams and loved by England and its Barmy Army. Edgbaston has a 25,000 seat capacity making it the 4th largest cricket ground in the UK. The venue is not shy of ICC tournament experience either, having been the host of the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy final.
County Cricket Ground, Bristol (Gloucestershire)
The South West of England has its fair share of cricket stadia and nestled in the heart of the Ashley Down area of Bristol is Gloucestershire’s home, also known as The Brightside Ground. With a maximum capacity of 17,500, there’s plenty of room and facilities for high profile tournament cricket. Interestingly the ground was bought way back in 1889 by the legendary W.G. Grace to be the home of his beloved team and has remained so ever since.
Sophia Gardens, Cardiff (Glamorgan)
A relative newcomer to the International scene, Sophia Garden hosted its first international in 1999 and has been the home of Glamorgan since 1967. With a maximum capacity of 15,643 it’s one of the small grounds for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.
Emirates Riverside Ground, Chester-Le-Street (Durham)
With fabulous views of Lumley Castle, you couldn’t hope for a more picturesque backdrop for international cricket matches. Seating 19,000, this is the most northerly – and sometimes windswept – of the venues in 2019.
Headingley, Leeds (Yorkshire)
Another ground renowned for its raucous and intimidating atmosphere, Headingley and its sometimes infamously fancy-dressed West Stand is the home of Yorkshire Cricket and bastion of cricketing legends such as Boycott, Hutton, Vaughan and Root. Capacity: 17,500.
Lord’s, London (Middlesex) – Final venue- 14th July 2019
What can we say? The home of cricket, the home of the MCC and all that is genteel and sophisticated about the gracious game of cricket. Its history is long and venerable being established in 1814. With its famous ‘Father Time’ weathervane and mix of Victorian pavilion and futuristic Oval Media Centre, Lords will be the perfect host for the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Capacity: 28,000.
The Oval, London (Surrey) – Opening Match venue – 30th May 2019
The first cricket ground to host an international test match (England vs. Australia 1880) and with the earliest recorded first-class match occurring way back in 1724, the Oval is a stalwart of the international cricket scene around the world. This 25,500 capacity ground will be the host of the opening match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.
Old Trafford, Manchester (Lancashire) – Semi-final venue
Sharing a name with its illustrious footballing neighbours Manchester United, Old Trafford has seen lots of refurbishment in recent years making it a world class venue and regular for international tests. It’s the home of England’s all time greatest wicket taker and evergreen star of the current England side, Jimmy Anderson. With a capacity of 26,000 it will be one of the semi-final venues of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.
Trent Bridge, Nottingham (Nottinghamshire) – Semi-Final venue
With its famous Radcliffe Road end and unusually angled pavilion to wicket layout (said to make it one of the finest places to spectate), Trent Bridge is somewhat of a specialist international venue. The ECB are co-tenants of the ground and it has been the scene of some famous English performances including Stuart Broad’s 8-15 against Australia in 2015. At a capacity of 17,500 Trent Bridge will play host to a semi-final next year.
Rose Bowl, Southampton (Hampshire)
The second youngest of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 venues, the Rose Bowl hosted its first first-class match as recently as 2001. With its large capacity of 25,000 and excellent modern stands and facilities, what it lacks in history, it makes up for in spectator comfort and enjoyment. This is the most southerly of all the venues.
County Ground, Taunton (Somerset)
A little gem might be a good way to describe Somerset’s home ground, located in the heart of Cider country in England’s South-West. Another picturesque venue, this diminutive ground (12,500-capacity) packs an aesthetic punch with its views of the twin spires of St James’ and St Mary Magdalene churches. This is the home ground of the great all-rounder Sir Ian Botham.
CONCLUSION
So there you have it, a whistle-stop tour round the amazing venues hosting the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, taking in some of the history, facts and locations of these superb cricket grounds. Qualification for the tournament has come to a conclusion so in the very near future this post will be updated with all match, team, date and time details giving you all the information you need to book tickets to the matches for a firsthand experience to enjoy what will surely be a cricketing spectacle to behold!
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