The England and Wales Cricket Board and the Int'l Cricket Council said on Monday that England and Wales have "been confirmed" as the host countries for the 2019 Cricket World Cup, according to Ed Osmond of REUTERS. The tournament, scheduled to involve 10 teams, "will be held in June at 10 different venues which will be announced later." ICC CEO David Richardson said that the World Cup "attracted a broadcast audience in excess of 1.5 billion people" (REUTERS, 5/27). The PA wrote the ICC decided that the tournament would come to England and Wales as far back as '06, "but the ECB has just signed the paperwork that will begin the procession of putting venues out to tender" (PA, 5/27). The BBC reported the ECB "has begun the process of selecting the 10 venues for the 2019 World Cup." All nine Test grounds are set to host games, "with one-day international venue Bristol a contender for the final spot." Taunton, undergoing redevelopment by Somerset, "is a possible alternative." The '19 incarnation will see fixtures played at 10 venues, "nine of which are expected to be Lord's, The Oval, Edgbaston, Trent Bridge, Old Trafford, Headingley, Chester-le-Street, Cardiff and Southampton" (BBC, 5/27).
