Victorian Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty joined Australian cricketer James Faulkner, as well as junior cricketers from diverse multicultural backgrounds to launch the official countdown to the 2015 Cricket World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
“Off the back of recent record crowds at the MCG, including 91,112 on the first day of the Boxing Day Test, and over 64,000 at the recent T20 clash against England, world class cricket has never been more popular in Victoria,” Mr Delahunty said “Over one billion people worldwide are expected to watch the ICC Cricket World Cup Final at the MCG, making it second only to the Summer Olympics and the FIFA World Cup in reach, representing a tremendous showcase of Victoria to the world.”
Mr Delahunty explained that the matches and event are expected to inject around $90 million into the Victorian economy.
Mr Delahunty said that in addition to hosting Australia’s first pool match and the tournament Final, Melbourne’s home of cricket, the MCG, would also host two other pool games and a quarter final.

The three pool matches and two finals to be played at the MCG are:
• England v Australia on Saturday 14 February
• South Africa v India on Sunday 22 February
• Sri Lanka v Bangladesh on Thursday 26 February
• Quarter Final on Thursday 19 March
• Final on Sunday 29 March.