Edgbaston set to host first Ashes Test next year Major boost for city’s tourism economy
BIRMINGHAM’S tourism economy has been handed another boost after Edgbaston Stadium was chosen to host the first Ashes test next year.
The famous venue will welcome the English and Australian cricket teams from August 1 for the opener to the 2019 Ashes series.
It has also secured the T20 Blast Finals Day on September 21 after an agreement was made between Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire cricket clubs and the England & Wales Cricket Board to relocate the event from Trent Bridge in Nottingham.
That stadium was originally named as the host venue when the allocation of fixtures was made.
Neil Snowball, chief executive of Warwickshire County Cricket Club and Edgbaston Stadium, said: “England have an outstanding record in Birmingham and we believe that there is nowhere better for Joe Root’s team to start the Ashes than in-front of a full house of passionate fans at Edgbaston.
“The last Ashes Test in 2015 was a fantastic occasion (and) we’re also very pleased to have secured the return of Blast Finals Day.
“It’s become one of the biggest days in the British sporting calendar and it’s fantastic to know that Edgbaston will continue as the home of Finals Day until at least 2024, having been awarded the five subsequent events from 2020 earlier this year by the ECB.
“Our thanks go to Nottinghamshire CCC and the ECB for allowing this move to happen.”
In total, Edgbaston will host 11 days of major match cricket during next summer, with the venue having already been awarded five fixtures in the ICC Cricket World Cup which takes place in England and Wales between during May, June and July.
Nicola Hewitt, commercial director at the West Midlands Growth Company, which operates leisure tourism programme Visit Birmingham, added: “The 2019 international fixture list demonstrates how Edgbaston Stadium continues to be a global sporting venue for thousands of cricket fans each year.
“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 revenue at record highs.”
It’s become one of the biggest days in the British sporting calendar. Neil Snowball, chief executive of Warwickshire County Cricket Club, above