World Cup 2019 venues part 2: Headingley, Trent Bridge, Edgbaston, Bristol

In part 1 of this series, we have discussed Lord’s, The Oval, and Old Trafford – three of the eleven venues of the 2019 World Cup – in detail. In this episode we shall look at four more grounds.

Headingley, Leeds

The witness of many an intense Roses match, Headingley used to be synonymous to grim cricket. That has changed somewhat (though the pavilion still looks gloomy), especially in limited-overs cricket. Take Trent Bridge away, and Headingley is probably England’s highest-scoring ground.

Headingley will host four matches this time:
England vs Sri Lanka, June 21
England vs Afghanistan, June 29
Afghanistan vs West Indies, July 4
Sri Lanka vs India, July 6

Trent Bridge, Nottingham

It was always a high-scoring venue, but of late Trent Bridge has taken things a bit too far. England had posted 444/3 – a new ODI record – in 2016, and then 481/6 in 2018. Anything less than 300 does not seem defendable these days; and even 300 is nowhere close to ensuring a win.

The five matches to be played at Trent Bridge this time are:
West Indies vs Pakistan, May 31
England vs Pakistan, June 1
Australia vs West Indies, June 6
India vs New Zealand, June 13
Australia vs Bangladesh, June 20

Edgbaston, Birmingham

The heavy, damp Edgbaston weather assists new-ball movement, often making things difficult for batsmen in the Powerplay. This is where the bowlers are likely to turn the tables around. Expect a few low-scoring matches. And if this year‘s semi-final is anything close to the one in the 1999 edition, we are in for a treat.

Edgbaston will host five matches in the 2019 World Cup:
New Zealand vs South Africa, June 19
New Zealand vs Pakistan, June 26
England and India, June 30
Bangladesh and India, July 2
Semi-final 2, July 11

County Ground, Bristol

Bristol, home to the heroics of WG Grace, Tom Goddard, and Wally Hammond – three of Gloucestershire’s greatest sons – was where Sachin Tendulkar scored his emotional unbeaten 140. Expect today’s batsmen, armed with their Superbats, clear the small ground frequently.

Bristol shall host three matches:
Afghanistan vs Australia, June 1 (D/N)
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, June 7
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, June 11

Venue	Headingley	Trent Bridge	Edgbaston	County Ground
City	Leeds	Nottingham	Birmingham	Bristol
Home county	Yorkshire	Nottingham- shire	Warwick- shire	Gloucester- hire
Capacity	18,350	17,500	25,000	17,500
2019 World Cup matches	4	5	5	3
Matches (since 2010)	8	12	16	5
Average score (since 2010)	293	309	270	296
4s/50 overs (since 2010)	27	28	24	26
6s/50 overs (since 2010)	5	6	4	8
50s	30	43	41	14
50s/match	3.75	3.58	2.56	2.80
Balls/wicket (SR)	42.7	44.0	40.5	36.0
4WIs	5	4	9	3