The countdown is on – in 399 days, England will open their ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 campaign against South Africa at the Oval following confirmation of the tournament schedule today.
Following that opening game on 30 May, Eoin Morgan's side will then play Pakistan at Nottingham on 3 June, Bangladesh at Cardiff on 8 June, the Windies at Southampton on 14 June and Afghanistan at Old Trafford on 18 June.
In the all-play-all 10-team format, England will conclude their first-round matches against Sri Lanka at Headingley on 21 June, then Australia at Lord’s on 25 June, India at Edgbaston on 30 June and finally New Zealand at Durham on 3 July.
The tournament will culminate in a record fifth final at the Home of Cricket on 14 July while Edgbaston and Old Trafford will host semi-finals on 9 and 11 July, respectively,.
This is the first time a Cricket World Cup has been held in the UK since 1999 and – with nine top-class matches for the home side – England supporters have plenty to look forward to.
Speaking after the announcement, ECB Tournament Director Steve Elworthy said: ‘‘Today’s announcement of the schedule is another important moment in the build-up to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 – the moment that the tournament comes to life for teams and cricket lovers across the world.”
England's ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 schedule
30 May: v South Africa, The Oval
3 June: v Pakistan, Nottingham
8 June: v Bangladesh, Cardiff
14 June: v Windies, Southampton
18 June: v Afghanistan, Old Trafford
21 June: v Sri Lanka, Headingley
25 June: v Australia, Lord's
30 June: v India, Edgbaston
3 July: v New Zealand, Durham
We are England Cricket Supporters will be able to enter the ballot for World Cup tickets from 10am on Tuesday 8 May – sign up here.