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London Stadium could host Cricket World Cup games in 2019

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 03:  A general view the London Stadium, new home to West Ham United FC in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on August 3, 2016 in London
Image: Could cricket be the next sport to make use of London Stadium

London Stadium could host Cricket World Cup games in 2019 after a study showed its playing surface is big enough for one-day internationals.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has been considering higher-capacity venues for the 2019 tournament to add to the 11 traditional cricket venues in line to host games.

None of those stadiums come anywhere near the 60,000 capacity at West Ham United's home, which can also be converted back to an athletics venue, as it started life as for the 2012 Olympic Games.

The stadium will be used as the venue for the IAAF Athletics World Championships this summer after West Ham's maiden season at the ground is finished, with cricket likely to use a similar seating plan.

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The World Cup will be hosted by England from May 30 to July 15 2019, and London Stadium is expected to be available for cricket use between those dates, should it prove feasible.

A final decision is expected by the end of March.

LONDON - JULY 12:  A general view of the ground during day three of the First Test match between England and South Africa at Lord's Cricket Ground on July
Image: Lord's is the largest traditional cricket ground in England with a capacity of 30,000

Lord's, The Oval, Trent Bridge, Edgbaston, Old Trafford, Headingley, Cardiff, Southampton, Chester-le-Street, Taunton and Bristol are all under consideration to host games.

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Of those, Lord's has the highest capacity at 30,000.

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