ICC Board likely to ratify 2019 World Cup schedule

The schedule has been approved by the ICC's CEC (Chief Executives' Committee) and is likely to be presented to the ICC Board, for final approval, on Thursday in Kolkata.

India will open its campaign against South Africa on June 5 in Southampton.

For the first time in 27 years, all the ten teams could be pitted against each other in the round-robin league when the World Cup gets underway in England next year.

It marks a return to the much-celebrated format of the 1992 edition. Of the ten participating teams, four will march into the knockouts during the month and a half-long tournament.

While an official announcement will come after the International Cricket Council (ICC) Board clears the final schedule, Sportstar understands that it has been approved by the ICC Chief Executives' Committee (CEC) in a meeting in Kolkata on Monday.

It is believed that the CEC decided to go back to the old format to ensure recovery time for the teams. The apex committee is likely to keep reserve days for the knock-out stage.

While Old Trafford is expected to host the first semifinal on July 9, the next day will be a reserve. The second semifinal, it is learnt, will be held in Edgbaston on July 11, and the Lord's will host the final on July 14. There will be a reserve day on July 15.

"The CEC has made some proposals and now the Board will have to ratify those and take a final decision tomorrow," a well-placed source told Sportstar from Kolkata.

ICC CEO Dave Richardson could announce the final fixtures either Thursday evening or on April 30. India will open its campaign against South Africa on June 5 in Southampton and will play arch-rival Pakistan at the Old Trafford on June 16.