Melbourne to host ICC Annual Conference 2014

The ICC Annual Conference 2014 - world cricket's biggest annual gathering - will take place in Australia for the first time in its history after Melbourne was awarded the right to host the event.

The conference will take place in June and will comprise a week of meetings and activities that will be attended by senior decision-makers from over 50 cricket-playing countries.

"We are delighted to be taking our annual meetings to Australia for the first time," commented ICC president Alan Isaac.

"As we build towards the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, this will give our Members a wonderful opportunity to gain a better appreciation of the city that will host several prominent matches and check in on the preparations for our flagship event," he said.

Melbourne joins the prestigious list of host cities in recent years such as London (2013, 2009), Kuala Lumpur (2012), Hong Kong (2011), Singapore (2010) and Dubai (2008).

The staging of the ICC Annual Conference is supported by the Victorian Government and Cricket Australia.

Victorian Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Louise Asher, said: "This Conference is another opportunity for Melbourne to showcase the city and its iconic stadium, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 where Melbourne will host five matches including the opening match and the final.

Wally Edwards, Cricket Australia's chairman and ICC director, is thrilled Melbourne will be the host city for next year's conference.

"Melbourne is a tremendous sporting capital and a fitting host city for next year's ICC Annual Conference," he said.

"Hosting this Conference, at the MCG no less, will provide further momentum leading into the 2015 Cricket World Cup," said Edwards.