SYDNEY, Feb 28: Australia and New Zealand will jointly bid to host the cricket World Cup in 2011, with matches held evenly in both countries but the host city of the final has yet to be decided, officials said on Tuesday.

New Zealand Cricket and Cricket Australia officials finalised arrangements last week and presented the bid to the International Cricket Council in Dubai.

“We are confident that we have a world class bid,” New Zealand Cricket chief executive Martin Snedden 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 New Zealand Cricket and Cricket Australia had a strong relationship and were prepared to work as partners to host 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.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said both countries 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.

They will be up against a combined bid from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh when the host is announced at the ICC’s annual conference in July.

Meanwhile, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have asked the ICC to extend Tuesday’s deadline for bids.—Agencies