Gloucestershire will host three games at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 as the tournament returns to England and Wales next year.
 
All three fixtures will take place in Bristol and will see Australia take on Afghanistan in a day/night clash on Saturday 1st June, before Pakistan play Sri Lanka on Friday 7th June and Sri Lanka face Bangladesh on Tuesday 11th June. The last two games will be played in normal daylight hours.
 
England, meanwhile, will play the opening match of the tournament at The Oval against South Africa on 30th May.

The tournament will culminate in a record fifth final at a packed Lord’s Cricket Ground on 14th July.

Edgbaston and Old Trafford will host semi-finals on 9th and 11th July respectively, and Old Trafford will host the much-anticipated India v Pakistan match on 16th June.

In total, 11 venues will be used for the 12th edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup. Lord’s and The Oval will be used in London, in addition to Edgbaston, Old Trafford, Bristol County Ground, Cardiff Wales Stadium, The Riverside, Headingley, Hampshire Bowl, Trent Bridge and The County Ground, Taunton. 

This is the first time that an ICC Cricket World Cup has been held in the UK since 1999.

Gloucestershire chief executive Will Brown said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be a host venue for the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2019, and are delighted to be welcoming so many fantastic teams to Bristol.

“To be hosting the current champions Australia in their opening match of the tournament is a great honour and we look forward to them taking on Afghanistan under the lights here at Bristol.

“Two other former World Cup winning nations will also be in Bristol in the form of Sri Lanka and current ICC Champions Trophy Winners, Pakistan. Bangladesh, coached by Gloucestershire legend Courtney Walsh, make up the mix of teams and we know all will be given a very warm West Country welcome.”