Nelson Stars As Cwc19 Begins 100-day Countdown

Organisers of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup marked 100 days to go to the start of the 2019 tournament by taking over Trafalgar Square with an event attended by a host of celebrities from inside and outside the game.

The centrepiece was the transformation of Nelson’s Column into a giant cricket wicket –  a sight witnessed by the likes of Minister for Sport Mims Davies and cricketers Alastair Cook, James Anderson and Graeme Swann.

Celebrity fans including musician Harry Judd, swimmer Rebecca Adlington and Love Island’s Chris Hughes also took part in festivities.

5:00 am 7:45 am pic.twitter.com/yFCvgsf5MF

— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) February 19, 2019

The event signaled the start of the 100-day UK leg of the ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy Tour, driven by Nissan, which will visit more than 100 locations and events before arriving back in London ready for the opening match on 30^th May.

The trophy will be transported in the 100% electric Nissan LEAF, making this the first ICC Trophy Tour powered by an all-electric vehicle.  

Commenting on the milestone event, ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 Managing Director Steve Elworthy said: “The tournament is within touching distance now and it’s amazing to see the takeover of the iconic London location of Trafalgar Square to mark 100 days to go. This really puts the tournament at the front of mind for the fans here and around the world.

“This ambitious launch demonstrates the lengths we will go to in making this tournament the most memorable ever – one that will inspire excitement among players and spectators alike around the world”

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson added: “Years of planning goes into the delivery of an ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, but the excitement becomes real with 100 days to go and the arrival of the trophy on the shores of England and Wales.

“Transforming one of London’s most famous landmarks into giant wickets is a wonderful way to kick start the celebrations for what I know will be the greatest ever celebration of cricket for hundreds of millions of fans around the world.”

100 days to go until #CWC19 ! Great morning in Trafalgar Square. Going to be another amazing summer of sport @cricketworldcup pic.twitter.com/ayaS7kVvwm

— Becky Adlington (@BeckAdlington) February 19, 2019

The Trophy Tour will be visiting every CWC19 Host City, including free to attend ‘Super Saturday’ events in Manchester (23th March), Birmingham (20th April) and Bristol (4th May), which will combine music, celebrity special guests, entertainment and a street cricket tournament involving local businesses, fan groups and the public.

The Cricket World Cup 2019 ticketing campaign, ‘Are you in?’, has been shortlisted for the BT Sport Industry Awards 2019 UK Campaign of the Year in association with Smart Group.