Six Associate Members express interest to host ICC events

A number of the game’s emerging markets have put forward plans to host global events, as the ICC maps out its schedule after 2023.

Six Associate Members plus new Full Member Ireland have submitted preliminary technical proposals to the game’s governing body, to host various tournaments between 2024 to 2031.

The tournaments range from two Men’s Cricket World Cups, four Men’s T20 World Cups and two Champions Trophies, all up for bidding selection. The World Test Championship Final, as well as the Men’s and Women’s Under-19 World Cups during the cycle, will be determined in a separate process later in the year.

Malaysia, Namibia, Oman, Scotland, UAE and USA have all put forward plans, as well as Full Members Ireland, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Zimbabwe.

Acting Chief Executive of the ICC Geoff Allardice is excited by the possibilities of taking the game to build the game’s following across the world.

“We are delighted with the response from our Members to hosting ICC men’s white-ball events post 2023. This process gives us an opportunity to extend our range of hosts and grow interest in cricket worldwide reaching more fans whilst creating a long-term legacy for the sport.

“Cricket has more than a billion fans around the world and ICC events have a proven track record of bringing significant economic and social benefits for host counties. These events provide hosts with a wonderful opportunity to work closely with local communities to grow the game whilst supporting economic and social development public policy goals.”

UAE and Oman are to co-host the 2021 T20 World Cup, originally slated for India, while several 50-over World Cups have shared matches at grounds across multiple ICC members. After the upcoming T20 World Cup, Malaysia, Namibia and the USA would be the only members of the fresh bidders to not have hosted a match at a men’s global tournament. Ireland have hosted just one match – a group fixture between Bangladesh and the West Indies in Clontarf – during the 1999 World Cup.

While it remains unclear if these bids have been made separately or as several joint bids, the geography of several locations hint that Associate Members have joined forces with their Test-playing cousins to host events.

The USA has signalled intentions to team up with the West Indies, with stories last year hinting at a joint bid to host a T20 World Cup after the 2023 cycle had concluded. Malaysia appears the only Associate Member going alone, with all other Associate Members feasibly close enough to share events with Full Members.

The ICC will move to phase two of the global event allocation process, with bidding nations to propose further details to the board.

Decisions on events from 2024 to 2031 are likely to be made towards the end of the year.

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