The Indian team will play their final warm-up match against a qualifying team on October 3 in Thiruvananthapuram. This will get be organized five days before India plays against Australia in their World Cup opener in Chennai. The ICC has opted for chosen Greenfield Stadium in the state capital to host four warm-up games. Notably, the venue will not be hosting any of the main games of the World Cup 2023 tournament.
Not just India, teams like Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, and the qualifying teams will be playing their warm-up matches in Thiruvananthapuram. These matches will be played between September 29 and October 3. Guwahati and Hyderabad are the other two places where World Cup practice matches will be held.
Thiruvananthapuram's Greenfield first match will be South Africa vs Afghanistan game on September 29, followed by Australia and a qualifying team match on September 30. On October 2, South Africa will face New Zealand.
Also Read: ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Fixtures And Venues Announced — Check Details
"Fans will be able to witness the top six teams playing their warm-up games here as their favorite players will be in action. It would be difficult for us to manage as it would be like hosting a mini-tournament in only five days", said KCA president Jayesh George as quoted by TOI.
"We should be grateful that we will be hosting four World Cup warm-up games. The ICC only decided to assign these warm-up games to a location that is not owned by a state cricket association due to Jay Shah, the secretary of the BCCI as the stadium has only been leased to KCA," said Jayesh further.
The World Cup will start on October 5 with a highly-anticipated clash between England and New Zealand, a rematch of the thrilling 2019 Final, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Tentative World Cup warm-up fixture in Thiruvananthapuram:
September 29- South Africa vs Afghanistan
September 30- Australia vs Qualifier
October 2- New Zealand vs South Africa
October 3 -India vs Qualifier