Australia and New Zealand push for 2011 World Cup

Australia and New Zealand will jointly bid to host the World Cup in 2011 with a plan to hold an equal number of matches in both countries. New Zealand Cricket and Cricket Australia officials finalised arrangements last week and presented the proposal to the International Cricket Council in Dubai, but a venue for the final has yet to be agreed.

"We are confident that we have a world-class bid," Martin Snedden, the NZC chief executive, said. "Both countries have the capability to host an outstanding event. We have fantastic venues, solid infrastructure and professional staff who are experienced in event management at the highest level."

Snedden said NZC and CA had a strong relationship and were prepared to work together to organise the matches in February and March 2011. "As part of that partnership we have agreed to a philosophy of sharing the matches evenly between the two countries with the location of the final yet to be decided," he said.

James Sutherland, the CA chief executive, said both nations had a proven track record in hosting world-class sporting events. "Our joint vision is to set new standards for the delivery and presentation of the cricket World Cup," he said.

Australia and New Zealand combined to stage the World Cup in 1992 when the final was won by Pakistan in Melbourne. The bid will be up against a combined proposal from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh when the host is announced at the ICC's annual conference in July.