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The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced how it will choose the stadiums for the quarter‑finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. The tournament runs from 14 February to 29 March 2015.
How the ICC picks the venues
The ICC wants the host countries to play at home if they reach the knock‑out stage. The hosts for 2015 are Australia and New Zealand.
After the hosts, the ICC looks at the two highest‑ranked teams in Pool A. Those teams are Sri Lanka and England, according to the Reliance ICC ODI Championship table.
These four teams get the first four venue slots. The ICC said this helps teams and fans plan ahead.
Venue list for Pool A teams
- Australia – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide on 20 March.
- New Zealand – Wellington Stadium, Wellington on 21 March.
- Sri Lanka – Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Sydney on 18 March.
- England – Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne on 19 March.
If any of these four teams do not make the quarter‑finals, the team that replaces them will use the same stadium.
What happens to the other teams?
The other four quarter‑final spots belong to the teams from Pool B. Their venues are decided by the opponent they face from Pool A.
For example, if India finishes first in Pool B (position B1), it will play the team that finishes fourth in Pool A (position A4). If Sri Lanka ends up as A4, then India will travel to Sydney to play there on 18 March.
All possible match‑ups are listed on the ICC website (link provided in the original source).
Quarter‑final match schedule
- Wednesday, 18 March – SCG, Sydney
- Thursday, 19 March – MCG, Melbourne
- Friday, 20 March – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
- Saturday, 21 March – Wellington Stadium, Wellington
The matches are set up like this:
- QF 1 – A1 vs B4
- QF 2 – A2 vs B3
- QF 3 – A3 vs B2
- QF 4 – A4 vs B1
‘A1’ means the team that tops Pool A. ‘B4’ means the team that finishes fourth in Pool B.
Semi‑finals and the final
If Australia and New Zealand both reach the semi‑finals, they will play at home unless they meet each other. The higher‑ranked team in Pool A will host the match if they meet.
If both hosts lose in the quarter‑finals, the winner of the Wellington match will play its semi‑final in Sydney.
The semi‑final dates are:
- Tuesday, 24 March – Eden Park, Auckland
- Thursday, 26 March – SCG, Sydney
The final will be on Sunday, 29 March at the MCG in Melbourne.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do the hosts get home venues?
The ICC wants to reward the countries that organize the tournament. Playing at home also makes it easier for local fans to attend.
What if a host team does not reach the quarter‑finals?
The stadium that was meant for the host will be given to the team that takes the host’s place. For example, if Australia does not qualify, the team that replaces it will play in Adelaide.
How are Pool B venues decided?
Pool B venues depend on which Pool A team they face. The opponent’s stadium becomes the venue for the Pool B team.
Can the semi‑final venue change?
Yes. The venue is fixed only after the pool stage ends and the ICC knows which teams will meet.
Conclusion
The ICC has set clear rules for the 2015 World Cup quarter‑final venues. Hosts Australia and New Zealand get home games if they qualify. Sri Lanka and England, the next highest‑ranked Pool A teams, also have set stadiums. All other teams will play where their Pool A opponent is scheduled. This plan helps fans know where to watch the big matches.
