- The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup is calling the people of Cardiff to come and get involved in a giant cricket relay on Friday 31 May in celebration of the first game of the tournament in Cardiff the following day.
- Welsh rugby legend Shane Williams to take part in the record-breaking relay and support participants along the way.
- Invitation to cricket and sporting fans, of all ages to join the relay around the city of Cardiff and celebration after-party.
On Friday 31 May, the day before the first ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup match at Cardiff Wales stadium, the city is playing host to a unique giant cricket catch relay. The tournament organizers are calling for members of the public – cricket and sporting fans alike – to take part in this unique celebration event.
‘The Ultimate Delivery’ will be hosted by ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup ambassador, British and Irish Lions and Welsh rugby legend, Shane Williams. Recently returned from taking part in the ‘Everest Rugby Challenge’ where he set a world record for the highest game of rugby ever played, Shane is looking to break another record but in the sport of cricket: the world record for the longest cricket relay.
Starting at Cardiff Central Train Station the official match ball will go around to the Millennium Stadium, hop on the water taxi to Cardiff Bay, work its way through the Urdd Eisteddfod, catch a rickshaw back into town, pass through the arcades, up the High Street, into the Castle and out to Bute Park, crossing the River Taff and arriving into Cardiff Wales Stadium to be received by representatives of the New Zealand and Sri Lanka cricket teams. Members of the community, cricket clubs, schools and the general public will help deliver the ball as it passes along the route.
On arrival at Cardiff Wales Stadium there will be a celebration event where our Ultimate Delivery Fielders can test their cricket skills, have their photo taken with the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup trophy and have the opportunity to meet Shane Williams and Glamorgan County Cricket Club players.
To join Shane as part of The Ultimate Delivery, people must register their interest at www.universe.com/the-ultimate-delivery.com.
Rugby legend, Shane Williams said, “I am really excited to be taking part in The Ultimate Delivery and testing out my cricketing skills. I hope we can get as many people of Cardiff as possible to take part, set another record and have some great fun. What a great celebration for the Cricket World Cup coming to Cardiff and Wales.”
Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Councillor Peter Bradbury, said, “Cardiff is hugely proud to be welcoming the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup to the city and to have the ball arriving in this record-breaking style with The Ultimate Delivery will be a great experience for all those involved.
“Cardiff has a strong sporting and cricket heritage and we hope ‘The Ultimate Delivery’ event will engage both the local community and travelling supporters of the Cricket World Cup. We look forward to welcoming sports fans of all ages to take part, creating a truly memorable event for the entire city,” he concluded.
For more information about the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019, please click here.
ABOUT THE ICC MEN’S CRICKET WORLD CUP 2019
- The tournament will run from 30 May to 14 July. The semi-finals will be played at Old Trafford in Manchester and Edgbaston in Birmingham on 9 and 11 July respectively, while Lord’s will host the final on 14 July.
- 11 venues across England and Wales will be used, namely Cardiff Wales Stadium in Cardiff (four matches), Bristol County Ground in Bristol (three matches), County Ground Taunton in Taunton (three matches), Edgbaston in Birmingham (five matches, including the second semi-final), Hampshire Bowl in Southampton (five matches), Headingley in Leeds (four matches), Lord’s in London (five matches, including the final), Old Trafford in Manchester (six matches, including the first semi-final), The Oval in London (five matches, including the tournament opener), The Riverside Durham in Chester-le-Street (three matches) and Trent Bridge in Nottingham (five matches)
- The 10 teams in the tournament will play against each other in a single-league format, with the top four sides after 45 matches to qualify for the two semi-finals
- England and Wales have previously staged ICC Cricket World Cups in 1975, 1979, 1983 and 1999
- Australia is the most successful team in the history of the World Cup, having won events in 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2015. The West Indies won the first two editions in 1975 and 1979, while India won in 1983 and 2011. Other winners are Pakistan in 1992 and Sri Lanka in 1996
