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Ireland have been drawn in the same group as defending champions India for the 2015 Cricket World Cup.

Their other opponents in Pool B will be South Africa, Pakistan, the West Indies, Zimbabwe and a qualifier.

The Irish begin the 14-team tournament by playing the West Indies in Nelson on 16 February.

England and Australia are in Pool A with New Zealand, 1996 winners Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and two associate nations from qualifying tournaments.

The tournament starts on 14 February with the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground - where Pakistan beat England in the 1992 final - on 29 March.

The tournament will follow the same format as the 2011 event with the top four teams from each pool progressing to the quarter-finals.

International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive David Richardson said the World Cup "is the flagship tournament of the 50-over game".

He added: "I'm absolutely confident that the success of the Cricket World Cup 2015 will further strengthen the status of 50-over cricket as a successful and viable format alongside Tests and Twenty20 internationals."

Australia Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said: "This is one of the biggest events in world sport.

"It will attract cricket fans from around the globe and also promote Australia and our close friend New Zealand internationally - especially in India and other parts of South Asia."

Defending champions India, will begin their campaign against Pakistan in Adelaide on 15 February.

Click here for full fixtures schedule.