ICC representatives will be in Sri Lanka between November 11 and 25 to ascertain the progress of work for the 2011 World Cup which will also be held in Sri Lanka along with India and Bangladesh.
The 2011 competition will consist of 49 games with 16 teams divided into two groups. India will host 29 of the tournament's 49 matches across eight venues. Sri Lanka will host 12 games across three venues and Bangladesh eight at two venues.

India has already finalized its venues

TOP -Construction work in progress at Sooriyawewa, and inset the visual of the planned stadium.(Pic by Ranjith Perera)

The venue-based match distribution in India will be 4 games each in Kolkata, Nagpur, Bangalore, Chennai and Delhi. Ahmedabad will host one quarter final and two other games while Mohali will host two games and a semi-final.

Mumbai will be the stage for the 2011 Cricket World Cup final and also two other matches.
Bangladesh would host two quarter-finals while the fourth quarter-final would be held in Sri Lanka along with the second semi final.

Explaining Sri Lanka’s progress on the matter secretary to SLC Nishantha Ranatunga said, “The three venues earmarked for the event will be the two international Cricket Stadiums that are under construction at Sooriyawewa and Pallekelle along with the Khettarama Stadium. There will be 3 games each in Sooriyawewa and Pallekelle while Khettarama will host five matches and the semi-final.

“The ground construction of Pallekelle is now completely over and we are hoping to start constructing the pavilion and other facilities by January. This ground also has been earmarked for Provincial Tournament Cricket early next year. This ground would have a sitting capacity of between 25-30,000 persons”.

The construction work of Khettarama Stadium will also begin later this year and it will be revamped to host a capacity crowd of between 30-35,000 persons. It also learned that lighting system will be studied very closely to ascertain if upgrading is required.

Preparation of the wicket and ground at Sooriyawewa is almost complete and the construction work of the other facilities are also underway and according to Ranatunga initially school and club matches will get underway at this venue by January 2010.This facility will also hold a capacity between 25-30,000 people.
Speaking about the accommodating of players and other allied officials for the matches at Sooriyawewa, Ranatunga said, “We are working close in hand with the Tourist Board towards the upgrading of four hotels in Hambantota and are also planning to have a cruise liner also at Hambantota during this period. These facilities will be able to house around 1200 persons”

All construction work of these venues will have to be finished by August-September 2010 when the ICC officials make their second inspection visit six months prior to the mega event. Besides the earmarked venues SLC also has kept the Dambulla International Stadium, The P. Saravanamuttu Stadium and Sinhalese Sports Club Grounds as standbys.