England limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan shed few tears after the London Stadium was snubbed as a venue for next years Cricket World Cup.
The 60,000-seater former Olympic Stadium had been under consideration by the England and Wales Cricket Board to stage matches at the 2019 50-over competition, but to no avail.
“It is not terribly disappointing. Playing in front of 60,000 would be exciting but we havent played there before, an element of unpredictability might have crept in with no previous record at the ground,” said Morgan.
Tournament director Steve Elworthy said: “I think the unique elements of what cricket needs and what cricket wants is a step too far. Cricket hasnt been played there before. It was a tough decision but, I think, the right one.”
The tournament, which reverts to a single-league, round-robin format for the first time since 1992, will feature 10 teams and be played at 11 venues across England and Wales. The competition begins on 30 May.
Englands first match of the event will be against South Africa at The Oval, while they will also play at Trent Bridge, Cardiff, Southampton, Old Trafford, Headingley, Lords, Edgbaston and Chester-le-Street during the group stage.
“Now the fixtures have been released and we know the opposition and where were playing them, the plans become a little bit more finely tuned,” added Morgan. “Were preparing as any other country around the world does to try and win a World Cup.”
Old Trafford and Edgbaston will stage the semi-finals, while the World Cup final will be at Lords on 14 July.
England limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan shed few tears after the London Stadium was snubbed as a venue for next years Cricket World Cup.
The 60,000-seater former Olympic Stadium had been under consideration by the England and Wales Cricket Board to stage matches at the 2019 50-over competition, but to no avail.
“It is not terribly disappointing. Playing in front of 60,000 would be exciting but we havent played there before, an element of unpredictability might have crept in with no previous record at the ground,” said Morgan.
Tournament director Steve Elworthy said: “I think the unique elements of what cricket needs and what cricket wants is a step too far. Cricket hasnt been played there before. It was a tough decision but, I think, the right one.”
The tournament, which reverts to a single-league, round-robin format for the first time since 1992, will feature 10 teams and be played at 11 venues across England and Wales. The competition begins on 30 May.
Englands first match of the event will be against South Africa at The Oval, while they will also play at Trent Bridge, Cardiff, Southampton, Old Trafford, Headingley, Lords, Edgbaston and Chester-le-Street during the group stage.
“Now the fixtures have been released and we know the opposition and where were playing them, the plans become a little bit more finely tuned,” added Morgan. “Were preparing as any other country around the world does to try and win a World Cup.”
Old Trafford and Edgbaston will stage the semi-finals, while the World Cup final will be at Lords on 14 July.
