England keen to become lords in 2019

● Hosts England will begin their quest for a maiden 50-overs World Cup title against South Africa on May 30 next year with Lord’s staging the final on July 14, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced this week.

One-day cricket’s most coveted trophy has eluded three-times finalists England, who staged the first three World Cups between 1975-1983 and also in 1999.

Australia will begin their title defence against plucky qualifiers Afghanistan on June 1 at Bristol. The tournament will follow its 1992 format with all 10 teams playing each other to get to the semifinals. Reuters