LANCASHIRE Cricket Club have confirmed that Emirates Old Trafford has been awarded six ICC Cricket World Cup fixtures next year, including the honour of hosting our national side in its second fixture, India vs Pakistan, one of the biggest games in world cricket, as well as a semi-final.

The opening ICC Cricket World Cup fixture to be played at Emirates Old Trafford will see a re-match of last year’s Champions Trophy final between India and Pakistan on Sunday 16 June. The last time the teams played in Manchester was in the 1999 Cricket World Cup, where India beat Pakistan by 47 runs in-front of a sell-out crowd.

Eoin Morgan’s England side will travel to Manchester to take on Afghanistan for their second group stage fixture on Tuesday 18 June. Subsequent matches will see New Zealand, West Indies, South Africa and Australia all visit the ground before the first semi-final on Tuesday 9 July.

2019 ICC Cricket World Cup fixtures at Emirates Old Trafford.

Sunday 16 June – India vs Pakistan.

Tuesday 18 June – England vs Afghanistan.

Saturday 22 June – New Zealand vs West Indies (D/N).

Thursday 27 June – India vs West Indies.

Saturday 6 July – South Africa vs Australia (D/N).

Tuesday 9 July – Semi-final.

Lancashire Cricket Club Chairman, David Hodgkiss OBE, said, “We are delighted with the six fixtures that Emirates Old Trafford has been allocated for next year’s ICC Cricket World Cup.

“2019 is going to be the biggest year in the Club’s history, hosting the ICC Cricket World Cup as well as an Ashes Test and it’ll be fantastic for cricket supporters, not just from the North West, but around the world, to enjoy watching some of the game’s best players at Emirates Old Trafford.

“We’re honoured to be hosting one of England’s games, and the India-Pakistan fixture is one of the biggest games in world cricket, watched by 324 million viewers on TV at last year’s ICC Champions Trophy at Edgbaston. Emirates Old Trafford will once again be on the world stage.”

The ICC Cricket World Cup fixture announcement follows on from the High Profile Match allocation for 2020-24 in February, when Emirates Old Trafford was awarded a prestigious package of international fixtures, including an Ashes Test in 2023.

Hodgkiss added, “The Club and its stakeholders are determined to grow the game in all communities across the County and the North West region as a whole, with supporters able to watch top class international cricket here. These ICC Cricket World Cup fixtures play a key role in this by showcasing the best teams and the best cricketers at Emirates Old Trafford.

“It once again confirms that Emirates Old Trafford is now one of the leading cricket venues in the world.”

Theresa Grant, Trafford Council Chief Executive, said, “The ICC Cricket World Cup coming to Emirates Old Trafford is a fantastic opportunity for our borough to enjoy the spotlight in front of a global audience, while celebrating what it has to offer as a focal point for sporting excellence.

“It is also a wonderful chance to be inspired by sportsmen competing on a world stage, so I’d encourage everyone who can to come along and get involved in what will be a truly amazing tournament.”

Lancashire’s Director of Cricket, Paul Allott, “It is fantastic news that Emirates Old Trafford has been awarded six ICC Cricket World Cup fixtures next year.

“Following the redevelopment that has taken place over the last 10 years, Emirates Old Trafford has become one of the leading venues in world cricket from both a playing and spectating perspective.

“The facilities are excellent and the pitches provide exactly the right conditions for top quality players to show off all their skills which makes for the very best cricketing viewing and entertainment. Put simply, the players just love performing at Emirates Old Trafford!”

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “The ICC Cricket World Cup will shine a spotlight on Greater Manchester and it’s an excellent opportunity for us to demonstrate what we do best – playing host to exciting elite sport and entertaining a global audience.

“Greater Manchester’s reputation as an international destination for sport is well deserved and the Cricket World Cup, alongside an Ashes Test Match in 2019, will form a significant part of next year’s sporting calendar.

“I look forward to the eyes of the sporting world once again being on Emirates Old Trafford next year.”

Sheona Southern, Managing Director of Marketing Manchester, said, "We’re thrilled that Emirates Old Trafford will be host to six Cricket World Cup fixtures next summer. Manchester is known around the world for its sporting prowess thanks to its comprehensive sports facilities and the unrivalled passion of its people.

“We’re proud to be part of the ICC Cricket World Cup, and we’re looking forward to showcasing Trafford and the wider Greater Manchester region to a global audience of fans.”

Details of VIP and hospitality packages for the fixtures at Emirates Old Trafford will be released soon, but supporters can register their interest now at lancashirecricket.co.uk/cwchospitality.

Supporters can get access to the Cricket Family Ticket Ballot, which opens on Tuesday 8 May 2018 for a chance to purchase priority tickets for the ICC Cricket World Cup fixtures at Emirates Old Trafford.

Fans who are unsuccessful in the cricket family ticket ballot in May will have a further opportunity to access tickets by automatically being entered into the public ballot, which will be launched in July 2018.

In September this year, any remaining tickets will go on sale on a first come, first serve basis, at cricketworldcup.com.