LONDON: The ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2019 committee may have ruled out London’s Olympic Stadium for any matches for cricket’s marquee event, yet the venue has been confirmed by USA’s Major League Baseball (MLB) to host two matches between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox during the same period.
ESPN reports that the MLB fixtures will clash with some ICC World Cup matches such as Australia vs New Zealand at Lords on June 29 and England vs India on June 30 at Edgbaston.
World Cup officials were keen on hosting matches at the London Stadium but were forced to rule out the option due to configuration needed to fit the pitch into the venue without the sunset disrupting play, not being up to the mark. However, reportedly the ICC isn’t concerned about the clash with MLB. London Mayor Sadiq Khan is confident too that both the events will be a massive success.
“The great thing about London is there are various sporting events taking place every day of the week,” Khan was quoted saying to ESPN in a media interaction.
“There is something for everyone, whether you are a tennis fan, you’re a football fan or whether you are a baseball fan. It won’t just be a great live experience for those who get a ticket for the London Stadium, but also I am sure that the match, the game on TV or radio or on the web will be fantastic as well.”
The MLB has also planned two more matches in England’s capital city, possibly with different teams in 2020 as attempts are being made by MLB’s commissioner Rob Manfred to globalize baseball.
