Sydney has "lost out to Melbourne" for the right to host the 2015 Cricket World Cup final, with the Melbourne Cricket Ground "set to be announced as the venue for the tournament showpiece," according to Wu & Barrett of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The Sydney Cricket Ground has "edged out" ANZ Stadium as the venue for one semifinal "despite the western Sydney ground proving itself" as a suitable int'l host over the last two summers. Auckland will host the other semi. Tournament organizers will "confirm on Tuesday the MCG will again stage the World Cup final." The World Cup organizing committee will "also announce the venues, pools and fixtures for the tournament, which will be held in Australia and New Zealand and include 49 matches over 44 days in February and March" (SMH, 7/29). In Melbourne, Malcolm Conn wrote the event will see "millions of dollars poured into Victoria's economy with a tourism bonanza forecast." The Cricket World Cup "is one of the sporting world's biggest drawcards." The Cup "will also draw a massive TV audience -- a billion fans worldwide are expected to tune in" when the MCG hosts the match on March 28-29, 2015 (HERALD SUN, 7/30).
