ECB hands Edgbaston a bumper package of international cricket

EDGBASTON Stadium is to stage Test Match cricket on a regular basis over the next few years after the sport’s governing body in England awarded the ground 28 days worth of major international fixtures.

Fresh from the return of Ashes cricket next summer, the ground has been handed a bumper package of international cricket by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) between 2017 and 2019.
 
Highlights of the new ECB package include Test Matches against the West Indies in 2017, India in 2018 and a further Ashes five-dayer in 2019.

Additionally, the ICC Champions Trophy (2017) and ICC Cricket World Cup (2019) will be played in Birmingham, with Edgbaston set to host five-match packages in both tournaments, which include a semi-final in both tournaments.

Edgbaston did host the final of the Champions Trophy last year in a rain-ruined game that saw England narrowly lose out to India.
 
Colin Povey, Chief Executive of Warwickshire County Cricket Club, said: “It’s fantastic news for us and for the city that some of the biggest fixtures will be played at Edgbaston over the next few years. Our thanks go to Birmingham City Council, our partners and all local stakeholders for their support with the bidding process.
 
“We have invested heavily in enhancing our customer experience, match day operations and local community engagement since the previous major match allocation, in 2011, and the progress that we have made has been reflected in this round of marquee fixtures awarded by the ECB.
 
“By hosting the final of ICC Champions Trophy in 2013 and successive NatWest T20 Blast Finals Days, Edgbaston and Birmingham have proved that we can host the biggest events in world cricket and these days are set to bring huge economic benefit to the local economy.”
 
Following this latest boost for Edgbaston, in early 2015 the club will bid for the ECB Major Match schedule in the 2020, 2021 and 2022 seasons. An announcement about these years will follow in the spring.
 
Emma Gray, Director of Marketing Services at Visit Birmingham, the city’s official leisure tourism programme, said: “Birmingham has played host to some memorable sporting occasions in recent years. The ECB’s decision to award Edgbaston Stadium with another 28 days of international cricket is a great coup for the venue and city, providing further invaluable exposure to a global audience.
 
“From cricket and tennis, to football and athletics, Birmingham continues to cement its reputation as a world-class sporting destination – which is helping to attract record numbers of national and international visitors last year.
 
“With a range of high-profile matches scheduled to take place at Edgbaston, we look forward to welcoming fans from some of our most important visitor markets to enjoy some exciting cricket, along with a variety of local attractions, great food, shopping and accommodation.”
 
Ahead of this latest major match allocation, Edgbaston is set to host seven days of major match cricket in both of the next two years. In 2015 the stadium will host England in an Investec Ashes Test match against Australia, a Royal London ODI versus New Zealand and NatWest T20 Blast Finals Day.
 
In 2016, England will play at Edgbaston in an Investec Test Match versus Pakistan and a Royal London ODI against Sri Lanka, whilst it will again host NatWest T20 Blast Finals Day.

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close