ICC Cricket World Cup February 2019 Newsround
With just 3 months to go until the start of the biggest tournament in world cricket, Expat sport takes a look at the news buzz around the ICC World Cup 2019 this month.
Making a splash – England and Wales’ walls get a paint job to promote World Cup.
Starting in Southampton, each of the eleven host cities of this summer’s World Cup will have a ‘wickets’ mural painted to celebrate their involvement in the competition. The enormous paintings will be located in iconic locations in each city and will depict the diversity and idiosyncrasies of each city.
The mural in Southampton is next to Bargate Monument and fans have the chance to win a pair of tickets for England versus Windies if they post a selfie taken of them in front of the monument with the hashtag #CWC19Southampton.
Spin legend and popular pundit, Phil Tufnell was there at the unveiling and said:
“The murals will create a lot of buzz in each of the Cricket World Cup Host Cities and provide a great way to raise awareness with new and existing fans that the tournament is happening.
“This a fantastic opportunity to gather momentum and excitement around the tournament and for fans to win tickets to one of the biggest matches at the World Cup. I’m sure all fans in Southampton would love to see England go up against Chris Gayle and the West Indies! If the recent series is anything to go by, I’m sure that match will be a cracker.”
Former England fast bowler, Chris Tremlett was also in attendance and added:
“The hype and excitement is really starting to ramp up now. Activations such as the mural placements will only increase excitement locally as fans countdown the days to the start of the tournament.
“This summer will be one to savour for cricket fans around the world and Southampton have a big role to play as a Host City of the Cricket World Cup. Tickets are flying off the shelves and by sharing the picture of this mural on social media two fans could fulfil a lifetime dream and attend a World Cup match featuring the host nation England.”
#WorldwideWickets sweeps the World Wide Web for fan pics
The UK element to the ‘Wickets’ campaign follows the #WorldwideWickets launch last week, which has seen fans from around the globe share pictures and videos of where and how they play cricket across the world.
The global social media initiative is a fan driven look at the way we all play and watch cricket around the world. Using the hashtag #WorldwideWickets the public can post images of cricket being played and enjoyed. #CWC19 Ambassadors will choose the top ten posts and then the public will choose the winner which qualifies them to be at the final at Lords.
Aussies planning to party like it’s 1999
Following a public poll of more than 477 thousand votes, Australians have chosen their favourite World Cup team shirt of all time and it is making a dramatic come back in 2019.
After a close tussle with the iconic ‘lightning bolts” shirt of the 1992-94 era came second to the nation’s most iconic cricket shirt depicting green ‘shooting stars’ on the classic gold background. It’s no wonder this strip is close to many hearts as it was the kit worn by Steve Waugh’s World Cup winning team of 1999-2000. That year they beat Pakistan by 8 wickets in the final and went on to enjoy an era of unparalleled dominance winning three ICC World Cup trophies in a row.
As a result of the poll, this year’s Men’s Australia shirt will be inspired by the shooting stars that fired them to celestial success in the past, hoping to bring a little stardust to this year’s competition.
Eoin Morgan ranks ICC World Cup impact with Olympics for grassroots boost.
With less than one hundred days left until the start of the tournament England’s powerful hitter and captain, Eoin Morgan has been reflecting on the positive impact the competition will have on English and Welsh grassroots cricket.
Speaking to Press Association Sport he said:
“It is so powerful.”When a World Cup comes around, it is very similar to the impact of an Olympics or Commonwealth Games – it brings people together. Participation in sports grew after London 2012, for example, and Team GB doing so well. The World Cup can do that, too. It can boost the grassroots game.”
Asked about England’s preparation for the tournament and their ambition to win it, he was keen to point out that the journey is as important to them as the destination.
“All of our build-up over the last three-and-a-half years has been towards this World Cup,” Morgan said.
“We have been able to stay in the moment, take it game by game and series by series, and learn as much as we can from them along the way.
“At the moment, we have 11 games before the start of the World Cup. It is important for us to not stand still, learn as much as we can, and put ourselves into the best position we can. We are going to try and win the series in West Indies, (in fact they drew the series one-one with the final game being rained off) and then we have the Pakistan series in the build-up.”
“It would be easy to look ahead just purely to the World Cup, and forget about the progression that needs to be made between now and then. It is important to remain in the winning habit. We will lose games along the way, but obviously, staying true to our principles of being the best team we can be and sticking to our methods.”
Gavaskar punts for England over his home side to lift the trophy
Former India legendary batsman, Sunil Gavaskar, has tipped England for the trophy ahead of his own India. He was quick to point out that his prediction has much more to it than just home advantage, explaining that it was England’s complete mental and physical overhaul since the 2015 World Cup that leads him to believe they will be victorious in the end.
“The strong favourites in the World Cup tournament are England,” Gavaskar told India Today. “And it is not just because it will be a home World Cup for them, but because they have changed their attitude towards ODI cricket.
“Since 2015, the manner in which they changed their game, the way in which they picked their team – England have grown into a strong side. They have a good opening pair, they have strong middle-order batters, they also have a good all-rounder, and when you play at home, you also have a strong backing.”
He still feels India are in with a really good shout however and points to their recent experience in England as being crucial. Since 2017, India have played the Champions Trophy in England, where they made the final. Then, last year, they visited the country for a full tour, comprising three T20Is, three ODIs, and five Tests.
“One advantage India have is they have played in England for two consecutive years,” he said. “So the players who will be part of the World Cup squad will be aware of the conditions, and hence will be able to use their experience. Probably, India can use the factor to lift the World Cup. But I feel the favourites are England, and then India.”
Gavaskar’s predictions also included Pakistan and Australia to make the last four but was eager to make sure nobody discounted the dark horses, New Zealand.
“Pakistan have always been a formidable side. And the Australian team will look strong with the return of Steve Smith and David Warner.
“These four teams will be in the semi-finals. New Zealand could also spring a surprise because conditions in England are similar to theirs.”
Expat Sport’s Dan McTiernan sifts highlights from a ‘thick and fast’ ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 news stream.
