ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Schedule, Teams, Venues

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Cricket World Cup commences its 12^th edition in May 2019 with 10 teams. The 45-day tournament from 30^th May to 14^th July would be co-hosted by England and Wales. This is the first time in the history of World Cup that there are no Associate members participating in this tourney. It is also the first time that a test playing nation is not participating in this limited over cricket competition. In the previous 11 World Cups every test playing nation was a part of this tournament. Zimbabwe, among the test playing nations, and Ireland among the Associate member countries are not participating in ICC World Cup 2019.

How many teams played in the World Cup 2019?

In this cricket tournament there is a single group of 10 teams. Matches will be held on a round robin basis with every team playing the other 9 teams. After the end of the league stage comprising 45 matches, the top 4 teams qualify for the semi-finals. These semi finals are to be held at Old Trafford in Manchester and at Edgbaston in Birmingham on 9^th July and 11^th July respectively. The winners of these two semi-finals play the final at Lord’s in London on 14^th July, 2019.

England and Wales together last hosted the ICC World Cup in 1999.

Which country will host the Cricket World Cup 2019?

The 48 matches of this cricket competition are spread over 11 grounds in 10 locations. Like all other previous years Lord’s in London is the venue of the finals. In addition, 4 league matches are scheduled at Lord’s. The Oval, the other ground in London will host 5 league games. The other venues are:

Old Trafford in Manchester – Host to 6 games including one semi-final;
Edgbaston in Birmingham – Host to 5 matches including one semi-final;
Trent Bridge in Nottingham – Scheduled to hold 5 matches;
Rose Bowl in Southampton – Host to 5 matches;
Headingley in Leeds – 4 matches are scheduled in this ground;
Sophia Gardens in Cardiff – 4 games to be played;
County Ground in Taunton – Scheduled to hold 3 games;
Bristol County Ground in Bristol – Venue for 3 games;
Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street – Venue for 3 matches.

This is the fifth time World Cup Cricket is being held in the British Isles. On all the occasions Lord’s has been the venue of the finals.

City	Birmingham	Bristol	Cardiff	Chester-le-Street	Leeds
Ground	Edgbaston	Bristol County Ground	Sophia Gardens	Riverside Ground	Headingley
County Team	Warwickshire	Gloucestershire	Glamorgan	Durham	Yorkshire
Capacity	25,000	17,500	15,643	20,000	20,000 (after redevelopment)
Matches	5 (including semi-final)	3	4	3	4

London	London	Manchester	Nottingham	Southampton	Taunton
Lord’s	The Oval	Old Trafford	Trent Bridge	Rose Bowl	County Ground
Middlesex	Surrey	Lancashire	Nottinghamshire	Hampshire	Somerset
28,000	25,500	26,000	17,500	25,000	12,500
5 (including Final)	5	6 (including semi-final)	5	5	3

The Trophy

The present trophy introduced in 1999 is a permanent one. It features a golden globe resting on three columns made of silver. These three columns in the shape of stumps represent batting, bowling, and fielding, the three essential aspects of the game of cricket. The globe resembles a cricket bowl with the seam symbolizing earth’s axial tilt. The trophy weighing about 11kilos measures 60cm in height. The base of the trophy has the names of all the winners since 1999. The original is kept with ICC, while the winners are handed over a replica that might be kept permanently.

The teams history

Afghanistan – Afghanistan played their first ICC World Cup tournament in 2015.

Australia – Australia has been the most successful team in the history of World Cup Cricket so far. Of the 11 tournaments played till 1975, this country has won five times in 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2015. Australia is the only team to have won the ICC World Cup three times is succession. They are among the favourites in 2019 also.

Bangladesh – Bangladesh participated in ICC World Cup for the first time in 1999 in England. They caused a sensation by defeating Pakistan in the tournament. Their best result was in 2015, when they reached the quarter-final stage. The team is capable of creating a lot of surprises.

England – England together with Wales are the hosts of the 12^th ICC World Cup Cricket competition. England was runners in 1979, 1987, and 1992. They are currently ranked 1^st in ODI category and this is their best chance of winning the World Cup.

India – India has won this tournament twice in 1983 and 2011. This is a highly talented team and has the potential of winning the trophy once again in 2019.

New Zealand – Their most successful moment in the history of World Cup is when they became the runners in 2015. New Zealand has the capability of defeating even the most powerful teams.

Pakistan – Pakistan’s greatest achievement came in 1992, when they became the World Cup champions by defeating England. The present team consists of young, energetic and immensely talented cricketers.

Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka is also in a rebuilding phase of their cricket team. They were the winners in 1996 and runners in 2007 and 2011. A few surprises could be expected from this spirited team in 2019.

South Africa – This nation played their first World Cup Cricket tourney in 1992 and reached the semi-finals. They were semi-finalists in 1999, 2007, and 2015 also. It is very surprising that this powerful team never got to enter the finals of this tournament.

West Indies – West Indies won the first two World Cup Championships in 1975, and 1979. They were the runners in 1983.