TAUNTON is well placed to host more international cricket after successfully staging three World Cup matches, believes Somerset CCC chief executive Andrew Cornish.

A thrilling run chase from Bangladesh against the West Indies - the second highest in World Cup history - rounded off Taunton’s part in hosting the tournament on Monday after three exciting matches at the County Ground.

Cornish said: “We had great expectations and it has exceeded those at every level. It has blown our minds and it couldn't have gone any better.

“The supporters from the sub-continent sides were brilliant and you realise how important cricket is to them.

“Some Afghanistan fans flew in from Sweden for their match here, which was unbelievable.

“This has been five years in the planning and it has been worth every minute of it

“I think how we hosted it bodes well for the future.

“We showcased Taunton - both the town and the ground - really well, so I’m very optimistic that this won’t be the last international cricket we see at Taunton.”

The Women’s Ashes, from July 18, will be the next international cricket at the County Ground as England and Australia go head-to-head.

Taunton did, however, miss out on the next set of major match allocations for men’s internationals from 2020-24, though Cornish is optimistic the town will be included in the cycle beyond that.

“No decisions have been made, but everyone is agreeing there are certain international games which are very well suited to here,” Cornish said.

“England against Bangladesh, Ireland, Afghanistan or Sri Lanka – those games would all work.

“I could also totally see one of those countries playing a Test match here.

“We hosted an England versus South Africa IT20 here two years ago – we can do it. Not just the club, the town can do it.

“Cricket is waking up to the fact that we would much rather have a full 8,000 here than a half-full ground elsewhere.

"It is right for the game and it spreads it geographically around the country so people in the South West can see England stars.

“This club has been well run and well supported for a number of years and now we are taking it to the next level.

“We have won our first silverware for 15 years, we are leading the County Championship and now people who have never visited this ground before have been ‘wowed’.

“It is not a complete sea change, it is just taking it up another notch.”