Cricket World Cup Fixtures released

In concurrent press conferences yesterday, the 2015 Cricket World Cup was launched. The details of the fixtures and venues were all revealed. ICC officials were present at both the events which were held in Australia and New Zealand at the same time. Plenty of news to comment on here, so I'll start by summarising the information.

• Pool A: England, Australia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Qualifier 2, Qualifier 3
• Pool B: India, South Africa, Pakistan, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Qualifier 4
• Same format as 2011  - 42 matches in group stages, followed by 4 quarter finals, 2 semi finals and the final
• Equal split of group games between Australia and New Zealand
• Australia host three quarter finals, one semi final and the final
• New Zealand host one quarter final and one semi final
• Final to be played at the MCG (Melbourne)
• Semi Finals to be played at Eden Park (Auckland) and SCG (Sydney)
• Quarter Finals to be played at SCG (Sydney), MCG (Melbourne), Adelaide Oval (Adelaide) and Wellington Regional Stadium (Wellington)
• Opening matches to be held on February 14 in Christchurch (New Zealand v Sri Lanka) and Melbourne (Australia v England)
• India to play Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval

I think ultimately the announcement didn't outline any major shocks. The MCG deserves to to host the final and it would have been incredibly disappointing if it didn't. In fact the semi-final and final line-up is identical to the 1992 World Cup. I wasn't expecting the MCG to get a quarter final as well, as I thought the Gabba might have gotten it. In fact Brisbane cricket fans are probably the most disappointed with them receiving some low drawing matches including Australia v Bangladesh and Pakistan v Zimbabwe.

Interestingly both host nations were placed in the same pool which means New Zealand will host Australia at Eden Park in a blockbuster match. This was apparently a concession for the fact that Australia got the final. There are some other blockbuster matches including Australia v England at the MCG, India v Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval, England v New Zealand in Wellington, South Africa v India at the MCG and South Africa v Pakistan at Eden Park.

For a lot of the lesser teams, they will get to play their first matches at some of world cricket's best venues. Bangladesh will play their first matches at major Australian venues including a massive clash against Sri Lanka at the MCG in Melbourne. They will also play Australia at the Gabba. Zimbabwe will feature in a big game against India at Eden Park in Auckland. Ireland meanwhile will play in Brisbane and Adelaide. Qualifier 2 who could be the Netherlands will play at the SCG.

I will post team and ground specific details and analysis soon.