The ICC Cricket World Cup
Valentine’s Day is set to be a little less romantic than normal in 2015, as many could find themselves competing for the attention of their significant other. Don’t worry, though, it is for a good reason, as 14th February sees the start of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, which will run for six joyous weeks thereafter. Stock up on the cashew nuts and biltong, stack the beers in the fridge and prepare for some serious TV time to take place in lounges around the world!
Australia and New Zealand will be hosting this edition of the World Cup and both will undoubtedly have set their sights on becoming the first host nation to keep the silverware. Obviously, our boys will be there and are keen to make some changes to our, thus far, rather dismal World Cup track record (sorry guys). India will be fighting to keep their hands on the 11 kg trophy, having won it in Sri Lanka in 2011, and in turn Sri Lanka are certainly looking to improve on their performances in the last two World Cups. Both times the team finished so close, yet so far, as runners-up.
Hopefully the Proteas will make their first appearance in the World Cup final, which will be taking place on 29th March. Track record aside, the statistics paint a different picture for this year: We have the second highest percentage of games won at World Cups, and we are currently ranked third on the ICC One Day International rankings. Perhaps we are in with a good shot this year.
All Eyes on the Cup
The ICC Cricket World Cup is the world’s third largest sporting event, only exceeded by the FIFA World Cup and the Summer Olympics. Tickets for the match scheduled for 15th February between India and Pakistan sold out in a mere 12 minutes! For those who couldn’t snatch up a front row seat, over 200 countries will receive the broadcasts and 2.2 billion viewers are expected to tune into the action.
Top Pick
The 2015 edition will see 14 teams batting and battling it out, including a first appearance for Afghanistan. The first round will consist of two pools of seven teams each in a round robin format, from which the top four teams from each pool will progress into the elimination rounds for the quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final. Each team is guaranteed at least six games before they can be knocked out.
This is the second time that Australia and New Zealand are jointly hosting the tournament, and visitors can expect to see games at some of the finest cricketing grounds in the world. Australia will host 26 of the 49 games (including the final in Melbourne) and New Zealand will cater for the remaining 23 games. Fourteen different venues will be used, which will ensure that visitors have plenty of excuses to see a wide variety of Australian and New Zealand sights and cities.
More Than Cricket
Both countries are so pleased to host the event that their respective governments have even agreed to waive some tax and customs regulations during the tournament. Now that’s what I call hospitality!
Australia is known for its hot weather, stunning beaches and spectacular desert landscapes, as well as some rather dangerous snakes, spiders and other creatures that go bump in the night (far from the cities, of course...). There also has a fascinating range of animals Saffas aren’t accustomed to, such as the emu, wombat, kookaburra, platypus and kangaroo which are unique to Australia. Vital to any visit is an encounter of a softer kind, so be sure to cuddle a koala at the Featherdale Wildlife Park on the fringes of Sydney.
Kangaroo Island will allow you to get close to wallabies, koalas, and kangaroos, as well as penguins, dolphins, sea lions, fur seals, and whales. With the 2,000 km of coral gardens along the Great Barrier Reef, the ancient Aboriginal sacred site of Uluru (Ayers Rock), and the Opera House at Sydney Harbour, you may forget that you are there for the cricket.
Its neighbour New Zealand lies 1,500 km west of Australia, and has been geographically isolated for 80 million years. As a result, the flora and fauna is unique and spectacular, such as the kiwi and kakapo, two flightless birds that had no need to take to the sky (until the Europeans arrived, at least).
Home to the film set of the **Lord of the Rings** film series, New Zealand boasts scenery that is hard to match. The country is also home to the Māori tribes, which will delight visitors with their vivid attire and traditions such as the Haka.
Whether you plan to enjoy the tournament from the comfort of your own home, or you are one of the lucky travellers planning to catch a live match, the ICC Cricket World Cup promises to deliver the best sporting action of an oh-so-civilised nature in the first half of 2015.
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