500 days until CWC19!

The countdown to the ICC Cricket World Cup returning to England and Wales for the first time in 20 years has begun and tournament organisers have today announced the ticket timeline for the year ahead. 

Next year’s tournament, which will feature 10 teams across 48 matches between 30 May and 14 July, will be the fourth time England & Wales have hosted the global event. 

To reward the hard work that goes into running the game across the world, members of the cricket family will get priority access to the ticket ballot on 1 May. There will then be a public ballot in July. 

Whether its players, coaches, umpires or fans, this will be their chance to beat the rush and book their seats early. Further information about how to apply will be announced at the end of March, along with the ticket prices and the full match schedule. 

Register now at cricketworldcup.com to make sure you get the latest ticket news delivered direct to your inbox. 

With the 500 day countdown now on to next summer’s tournament, preparations are underway for England and Wales to host a World Cup for the fourth time.

The World Cup in 1999 saw venues across England host the majority of matches, including two in Leicester. Games also took place in Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Netherlands as 12 teams battled it out over 42 games to lift the trophy. 

To celebrate today’s landmark, we decided to roll back the years and look at the two games held in Leicester.

India v Zimbabwe (19 May 1999)

This game was one of, if not the best of the tournament as Zimbabwe pulled off a sensational three-run victory.

The Flower brothers, Andy and Grant, shone as Zimbabwe batted out their 50-over allocation to put a competitive total of 252 for 9 on the board. Anil Kumble, who would go on to represent Leicestershire, shone with 2 for 41 off ten overs.

India lost four overs of their chase due to a slow over rate but looked to be well-placed at 246 for 7 with eleven balls to go.

However, Henry Olonga had other ideas and three wickets in the space of five balls was enough to secure the success with an over to go.

Grant Flower went on to become a Leicestershire all-rounder; he was named as man of the match, claiming figures of 1 for 33 off ten overs after delivering 45 crucial runs at the top of the order.

West Indies v Scotland (27 May 1999)

West Indies were in superb form and chased their target of 69 in 10.1 overs in the second match at Grace Road. 

There was another important contribution from player with Leicestershire CCC connections as Phil Simmons took the new ball and claimed 1 for 15 off seven overs.

Fellow seamers Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh returned staggering combined figures of 17-5-15-5.

Simmons scored seven runs as West Indies slipped to 22 for 2 in reply but Shivnarine Chanderpaul (30*) and Brian Lara (25*) quickly guided the team home.

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