ICC World Cup warm-up matches to begin on February 8

New Delhi, Jan 22 (IANS) A series of warm-up matches starting on February 8 will provide insight into the form of some of the teams taking part in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, and also give a chance to fans, who are from the tournament venues, to see some of the stars in action.

A total of 14 warm-up matches will be played from February 8 to 13 in Adelaide, Christchurch, Melbourne and Sydney.

The venues include Adelaide Oval, Hagley Oval in Christchurch, the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), all of which are hosting matches in the tournament proper.

Warm-up matches will also be played at the non-tournament venues like Blacktown's International Sports Park in Sydney's western suburbs and Junction Oval in Melbourne Lincoln Oval outside Christchurch.

The public will be welcome to attend warm-up matches which will be ticketed, but free of charge.

Warm-up matches are what the name implies - they are not official ODIs but are designed to allow teams the chance to prepare for the World Cup. They operate under slightly different rules with up to 15 players able to be used throughout the game.

Tickets for the warm-up matches are only available online and delivered as a Print at Home email PDF ticket.

Schedule of warm-up matches:

Feb 8: Australia vs India, Adelaide Oval.

Feb 9: South Africa vs Sri Lanka, Hagley Oval.

Feb 9: New Zealand vs Zimbabwe, Lincoln Oval.

Feb 9: England vs West Indies, Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

Feb 9: Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Blacktown.

Feb 10: India vs Afghanistan, Adelaide Oval.

Feb 10: Ireland vs Scotland, Blacktown.

Feb 11: South Africa vs New Zealand, Hagley Oval.

Feb 11: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, Lincoln Oval.

Feb 11: Australia vs United Arab Emirates, MCG.

Feb 11: England vs Pakistan, SCG.

Feb 12: West Indies vs Scotland, SCG.

Feb 12: Bangladesh vs Ireland, Blacktown.

Feb 13: Afghanistan vs United Arab Emirates, Junction Oval.