Dubai, Aug 17: The most coveted prize in cricket, the World Cup trophy is scheduled to arrive at Lord’s tomorrow and it will be welcomed by England ODI vice-captain Eoin Morgan along with representatives of ECB, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and the ICC.
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 will commence on February 14, with England taking on host Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
With only 180 days to go until the opening matches, Morgan said: “The focus will be on 50-over cricket between now and the ICC Cricket World Cup once this Test match against India is over. There will be real competition for places in the England set-up and I know that playing in an ICC Cricket World Cup is special. It is the ICC’s pinnacle event and it is an event that really captures the imagination of the entire cricketing world.
“The fact that the World Cup trophy is now here at Lord’s and will tour England and Wales in the next few weeks will help raise not only profile but also excitement around the ICC Cricket World Cup.”
England is scheduled to participate in a tri-series also involving current champion India and four-time champion Australia in January. This will be a good opportunity for the team to assess its preparation ahead of the tournament it has never won, but reached the final three times – 1979, 1987 and 1992.
“Everyone in the England camp is hugely excited about the prospect of competing in Australia and New Zealand – in what is two hugely challenging environments against the very best players in world cricket,” said Morgan, who, having played 78 ODIs for England to date, is aiming to appear in his third ICC World Cup.
Morgan will be joined in welcoming the trophy by Steve Elworthy, the ECB’s Managing Director of Global Events, Derek Brewer, Chief Executive & Secretary of MCC and, Nick Pink, Regional Development Manager – ICC Europe at the Grace Gates. (PTI)
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