The Minister for Sport Sussan Ley today welcomed the international cricket community to Australia for the 2015 ICC World Cup.

The tournament, which begins today, will be held across 14 venues in Australia and New Zealand.

Ms Ley said over one million spectators were expected to pass through the turnstiles and encouraged all Australians to get along to this truly international event.

“As we saw with the Asian Cup last month, Australia is a world-class host of major sporting events and the success of the 2015 ICC World Cup will no doubt further strengthen our proud reputation,” Ms Ley said.

“The tournament will feature 400 of the world’s best cricketers from across the globe and give Australia an opportunity to showcase itself to a worldwide broadcast audience of one billion people.

“I warmly welcome the teams to Australia and wish all competitors the very best for the tournament.”

Ms Ley said the Government had committed $14 million to the World Cup and hoped it would inspire Australian children to be active as well as provide a timely boost to the economy.

“The World Cup is expected to inject $360 million directly into the Australian and New Zealand economies and will engage one fifth of the world’s population,” Ms Ley said.

“I look forward to seeing many Australians young and old watching their heroes and being inspired to pick up a bat or ball and get involved with cricket.”