Image courtesy of: lords.org

The picturesque Lord’s Cricket Ground will be looking to gain the rights to host its fifth World Cup final

The International Cricket Council (ICC) and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have both signed an agreement to confirm that the 2019 World Cup will be held in England and Wales.

The ICC and ECB had come to an agreement about the 2019 World Cup back in 2006, but this contract signing was simply a move to finalise it.

The World Cup is scheduled to take place in June 2019 and will involve ten teams and be played in ten different venues as well.

“The signing of this agreement now enables ECB to enter into staging agreements with venues who wish to stage matches in the World Cup,” ECB chief executive David Collier said. “The Organising Team from the 2013 Champions Trophy, led by tournament director Steve Elworthy, will commence the preparation work for this event immediately following the conclusion of the Champions Trophy, which ends with the final at Edgbaston on June 23.

“The ECB is honoured to have been selected to stage one of the largest and most important global sports events which will be a wonderful boost to sport and cricket in particular throughout England and Wales.”

England last hosted the World Cup in 1999, but were unsuccessful in their campaign to lift ICC silverware in front of their home crowd.

The country is currently hosting the Champions Trophy and also did so back in 2004.

They also had the honour of hosting the 2009 ICC World Twenty20.

Speaking about the contract signing, ICC chief executive David Richardson said: “The World Cup attracts a broadcast audience in excess of 1.5 billion people and is one of the premier events in world cricket. England and Wales boasts a number of high quality cricket venues providing players, officials and spectators with excellent facilities. We look forward to working with the ECB to deliver an outstanding tournament.”