Sky to launch ‘Sky Sports World Cup’ channel for Cricket World Cup 2015 coverage

We’ve had Sky Sports Ashes and Sky Sports Ryder Cup.. Now, get ready for Sky Sports World Cup.

That’s right, Sky Sports will dedicate an entire channel to the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, from the first to the last day of the biggest one-day event in the international cricket calendar.

For six weeks, Sky Sports 2 will become ‘Sky Sports World Cup’, giving viewers over 1,000 hours of round the clock cricket coverage, including all 49 matches live, as well as build-up, analysis and highlights.

Two hours of live build up will set the scene for the opening fixture on Friday 13th February as the current ICC Twenty20 World Cup holders, Sri Lanka, take on New Zealand, before England return to the MCG against Australia.

The channel will launch at 6am with a series of classic World Cup matches from years gone by, before Adam Gilchrist shares his trade secrets to success in a masterclass special as part of a comprehensive schedule of support programming.

“The Cricket World Cup is the one of the world’s biggest sporting events, offering six weeks of rivalry between 14 nations, said Barney Francis, Sky Sports Managing Director.

“By dedicating a whole channel to the tournament, fans know that there’s only once place to watch all of the action live, catch up with highlights and enjoy the reaction and views of our experts. This is the biggest ever year of cricket on Sky Sports and the channel will help to make sure it’s our best yet.”

Sky’s live commentary in Australia and New Zealand will be provided by Sir Ian Botham, Mike Atherton, David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd, Nasser Hussain and Nick Knight.

The Sky Sports cricket studio back in the UK will be hosted by David Gower, Ian Ward, Charles Colvile and Matt Floyd, who will be joined by plenty of guests throughout the tournament, including Bob Willis, Andrew Strauss and Matt Prior.

Two dedicated reporters will be in Australia and New Zealand, and the Verdict show will be back live for every England match to debate the performance.