The ticket ballot for next year’s Cricket World Cup closes later today, before remaining tickets go on general sale.
Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens will host four matches at the sport’s show-piece event which runs from May 30 to July 14, 2019.
New Zealand entertain Sri Lanka at the home of Glamorgan County Cricket Club on Saturday, June 1, before the Sri Lankans stay in Cardiff to clash with Afghanistan on Tuesday, June 4.
Afghanistan have captured the cricketing world’s imagination since appearing on the international cricket scene, and will be appearing in their second World Cup after winning one match in Australia and New Zealand in 2016.
It will be Afghanistan’s first appearance in Cardiff, but spectators won’t have to wait long to see them again as they return on Saturday, June 15 to play South Africa.
England also make an appearance at Sophia Gardens as they tackle Bangladesh on Saturday, June 8, with expectation weighing heavily on the World’s number one ranked team.
England’s position as the top side in the world follows back to back series victories against India and Australia this summer.
Cardiff has also been a happy hunting ground for England this summer, recording wins against Australia in a One Day match in June and India in a Twenty20 fixture in July.
England will be looking to improve upon a disappointing display at the last World Cup, where they lost four pool games, including one against unfancied Bangladesh and failed to qualify for the knockout stages.
Next year’s tournament sees a streamlining of its format, as the number of teams included drops from 14 to ten, with every side playing each other once in a single group.
Tickets for all world cup matches have been available through a ballot system until now, but are due to go on general sale shortly.