WELLINGTON (New Zealand): The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed the names of six New Zealand cities that host the Women’s World Cup 2021 early next year.
Auckland will host a bumper opening weekend at Eden Park, before the focus shifts to matches in Wellington, Hamilton, Tauranga, Dunedin and Christchurch.
The tournament, which features 31 matches played between February 6 and March 7, will be capped by a spectacular final in Christchurch under lights at Hagley Oval.
For the 2021 edition it will be played at an upgraded Hagley Oval, one of New Zealand’s principal Test venues, which has recently received approval to erect lights to host night fixtures.
The tournament opener will be at Auckland’s Eden Park, which hosted the 1987 and 2011 Rugby World Cup finals, with other matches to be played at cricket Test venues in Wellington, Hamilton, Tauranga and Dunedin.
New Zealand captain Sophie Devine said the allocation of games to prominent Test grounds was a milestone for women’s cricket.
“Last time New Zealand hosted the World Cup in 2000 it was all out at Lincoln University, which is a great venue but the opportunity to… play at some of the best cricket grounds, not only in New Zealand but in the world, is a really special opportunity,” she said.
The tournament is scheduled to be held between February 6 and March 7. 2021.
