South Africa will play West Indies and Australia at Newcastle during the group stages

The ground in Newcastle will host two group matches during the World Cup, both of which will involve South Africa.

On Sunday March 8 South Africa will take on West Indies and two days later, Australia will be in town.

The venue, which has seen a number of touring sides visit including England, has endured various of ups and downs, the worst of which was an earthquake in December 1989 which forced the ground to close.

Disputes delayed the rebuilding and that cost Newcastle the chance of housing a match during the 1992 World Cup.

Upon re-opening the ground continued to host a New South Wales fixture until the 1997/98 season when all the state’s games were relocated back to the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The pitch was completely relaid in 2000 and the ground hosted its first ever one-day state match four years later when Tasmania were the visitors.

The ground is also used for local rugby league grand finals which attract crowds in excess of 22,000.