Celebrations take place to mark 100 days to go until ICC Cricket World Cup 2019

London’s Nelson’s Column played a central role in marking 100 days to go to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

The famous monument in London’s Trafalgar Square became part of a set of giant wickets, as the countdown until the ‘world’s greatest cricket celebration’ officially began.

An array of high-profile figures from the world of sport, governance, culture and entertainment – including Sports Minister Mims Davies, Sir Alistair Cook, James Anderson OBE, Graeme Swann, Nasser Hussain, Isa Guha, Rebecca Adlington OBE and two-time ICC Cricket World Cup winner Clive Lloyd CBE – were in attendance with celebrity fans Harry Judd and Chris Hughes as the 100-day Trophy Tour of England and Wales got underway.

Five matches of the tournament will take place at Birmingham’s Edgbaston Stadium, including the second semi-final on 11 July. Wolverhampton (15 March), Coventry (17 March) and Birmingham (18-20 April) will also host the Trophy Tour, giving fans the opportunity to get ‘up close and personal’ with the iconic prize.
 

The unique celebration of cricket’s 50-over World Cup highlighted the once-in-a-generation chance for cricket fans in England and Wales to see the world’s greatest players in action on home soil this summer.

Nicola Hewitt, Commercial Director at the West Midlands Growth Company, said:

“We are set to witness a great year of cricket in the West Midlands in 2019, with five ICC Cricket World Cup fixtures at Edgbaston Stadium, the Trophy Tour in Wolverhampton, Coventry and Birmingham, and the first Test of the Ashes series between England and Australia.

“The region’s strong track record in hosting international sports events, with the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games also firmly on the horizon, is a key reason why our tourism sector continues to grow – with visitor numbers, spend and hotel revenue at record highs.”

ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 Managing Director, Steve Elworthy, added:

“The tournament really is within touching distance now and it’s amazing to see the takeover of the iconic London location of Trafalgar Square to mark 100 days to go. This really puts the tournament at the front of mind for the fans here and around the world.

“This ambitious launch demonstrates the lengths we will go to in making this tournament the most memorable ever – one that will inspire excitement among players and spectators alike around the world.

“To launch the domestic leg of our Trophy Tour in such a landmark location is fantastic, and we’ll visit many more memorable places as we engage with millions of people across England and Wales in the next 100 days.”

Former England spinner Graeme Swann was today named as the Official Trophy Tour Ambassador. When talking about the 100-day tour, Swann said:

“I am proud to be part of a Trophy Tour that promises to deliver a glimpse of cricket’s biggest prize to fans up and down the country and really build the excitement and expectation for the tournament.

“This summer promises to be hugely exciting for cricket here in England and Wales and around the world. The World Cup is at the absolute heart of the action and it all starts now with the Trophy Tour!”