ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Prince Harry opens WC 2019

London: The 2019 Cricket World Cup got underway under bright London skies on Thursday as hosts England were put in to bat by South Africa in the first game of the six-week tournament.

The 34-year-old Prince Harry made an emotional speech at the venue in south London as the six-week contest began on Thursday.

The Duke of Sussex addressed the crowd at The Oval, saying: “The first ever Cricket World Cup took place in England in 1975 and I am delighted that the UK will once again play host to this wonderful global event featuring 10 incredible teams, who, thanks to the UK’s diversity will feel like they are playing to a home crowd at every game.

“Cities will come alive across the next six weeks as World Cup fever sweeps the nation once more. Good luck to all the teams and thank you to everyone who has played a part in making this tournament happen. Trust me, you won’t want to miss any of it,” he said declaring open the World Cup.

Morgan pragmatic
Eoin Morgan, who was made captain just last month, said: “It would mean a huge amount, the World Cup alone raises the profile of the game and is a platform for every young kid in this country to have a hero or have the inspiration to pick up a ball or a bat.

“To go on and win it, I couldn’t imagine what that would do.”

And on Wednesday, Harry met captains of many of the nations involved. He stoked the rivalry between England and Australia with a cheeky sledge at Aussie captain Aaron Finch during a team captains’ reception at Buckingham Palace.

“You’re getting on a bit now, aren’t you? How long have you been playing?” the Duke of Sussex asked the 32-year-old during The Queen’s royal garden party.

The 32-year-old Australian batsman took the remark sportingly and told Harry that he had been playing for eight years at the highest level.

However, he left Harry bemused when he replied to the duke’s query about the favourites to win as: “England and India.”