Edgbaston to host the Test opener in 2019
Birmingham’s Edgbaston stadium has been chosen by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) as the venue for the opening match of the summer 2019 Specsavers Ashes Test Series between England and Australia.
Neil Snowball, Chief Executive of Warwickshire CCC and Edgbaston Stadium said:”The last Ashes Test in 2015 was a fantastic occasion and those in attendance experienced Edgbaston at its atmospheric best as England recorded an eight wicket victory and went two-one up in the series.”
In total, Edgbaston will host 11 days of major cricket matches in the summer of 2019, including the Vitality Blast Finals Day and five marquee fixtures in the ICC World Cup Cricket competition which takes place between 30 May and 14 July 2019.
Snowball added:”We are also very pleased to have secured the return of the Vitality Blast Finals Day. It has become one of he biggest days in the British sporting calendar and it is fantastic to know that Edgbaston will continue as’ home of the Finals Day’ until at least 2024, having been awarded the five subsequent events from 2020 earlier this year by the ECB.”
Nicola Hewitt, Commercial Director of the West Midlands Growth Company which operates Visit Birmingham said:”The 2019 international fixture list demonstrates how Edgbaston Stadium continues to be a global sporting venue for thousands of cricket fans each year. Its exciting 11 day programme of major match cricket is set to entertain visitors from across the world.”
“We are set to witness a great year of cricket in 2019, welcoming the first Test of the Ashes as well as several ICC Cricket World Cup fixtures. Birmingham’s strong track record in hosting international sports events, with the 2022 Commonwealth Games also firmly on the horizon, is a key reason why our local tourism sector continues to grow- with visitor numbers, spend and hotel revenues at record highs.”
