With world cup a few days away, the Host Australia and New Zealand have finished giving final touches to the venues where matches are to be held. There are 14 grounds which will be hosting the matches. Australia have seven and seven grounds in new Zealand where participating teams will be jostling with each other for the coveted trophy.
Here is the list of the grounds with their history.
Melbourne, Australia: Australia
The Gabba (Brisbane)
Since: 1931.
Capacity: 42,000.
World Cup 2015 matches: Group stage: Australia vs. Bangladesh (Feb. 21), Ireland vs. United Arab Emirates (Feb. 25), Pakistan vs. Zimbabwe (March 1).
About the venue: The Brisbane Cricket Ground, known as The Gabba for its location in the Brisbane suburb of Woollongabba, has been hosting cricket matches since 1896. The ground first began to host first-class cricket matches in 1931, with its first test between Australia and South Africa later that year. It was the site, in December 1960, of cricket's first tied test between Australia and the West Indies. Renowned for its bounce and carry, is regularly home to Australia's test season opener.
Sydney Cricket Ground
Since: 1875.
Capacity: 48,000.
World Cup 2015 matches: Semifinal (March 26). Quarterfinal (March 18). Group stage: South Africa vs. West Indies (Feb. 27), Australia vs. Sri Lanka (March 8), England vs. Afghanistan (March 13).
About the venue: The SCG was developed on the site of the Garrison Ground, later the Civil and Military Ground, which was a part of Sydney Common allocated to the British Army. The current ground was developed from 1875 by the New South Wales state government in association with the NSW Cricket Association, when it was known as the Association Ground. The SCG hosted its first first-class game in 1878 and its first cricket test between Australia and England in 1882. One of the more spin-friendly wickets in Australia.
Manuka Oval (Canberra)
Since: 1926.
Capacity: 13,550.
World Cup 2015 matches: Group stages: Bangladesh vs. Afghanistan (Feb. 18), West Indies vs. Zimbabwe (Feb. 24), South Africa vs. Ireland (March 3).
About the venue: The Manuka Oval, situated in the suburb of Griffith not far from the CBD, was developed in the 1920s when the former Manuka Circle Park was enclosed. The Bradman Pavilion, named for the great Donald Bradman, was built in 1962. The ground boasts the Robert Menzies and Bob Hawke grandstands, named for former Prime Ministers. The ground annually hosts matches between a Prime Minister's XI and touring international teams.
Melbourne Cricket Ground
Since: 1877.
Capacity: 100,024.
World Cup 2015 matches: Final (March 29). Quarterfinals (March 19). Group stages: England vs. Australia (Feb. 14), South Africa vs. India (Feb. 22), Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh (Feb. 26),
About the venue: The MCG is Australia's most iconic sporting stadium and the venue of some of its most historic sporting events. With a capacity of more than 100,000 it is the largest in the southern hemisphere and the largest to regularly host international cricket. It hosted the very first test match, between Australia and England in March, 1877, and was also the central stadium of the 1956 Summer Olympics, the 2006 Commonwealth Games and the 1992 Cricket World Cup.
