(UDHAYAM, LONDON) – The London Olympic Stadium is a major step closer to hosting matches at the 2019 Cricket World Cup, after it was found to have a potential playing surface big enough for one-day internationals.
It emerged last month the England and Wales Cricket Board was considering high-capacity venues at the request of the International Cricket Council.
The 60,000-seat London Stadium is much larger than any UK cricket ground. However, a number of other feasibility issues must be addressed. Obstacles to overcome include the cost-effectiveness of turning the entire playing area and the suitability of drop-in pitches.
The BBC reported that if the challenges can be met then it is likely the stadium, which hosted the 2012 Olympics, will be used for the Cricket World Cup.
Eleven traditional cricket venues – Lord’s, The Oval, Trent Bridge, Edgbaston, Old Trafford, Headingley, Cardiff, Southampton, Chester-Le-Street, Taunton and Bristol – are in line to host matches. Of that list, Lord’s has the highest capacity – about 30,000.
However, the ICC is keen to replicate the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which saw attendances in excess of 90,000 in Melbourne, and games held at other large stadiums in Sydney, Adelaide and Auckland.
