Cardiff Council has today welcomed the news that Ashes cricket will return to the Welsh capital in 2015.
Following the huge success of the thrilling 2009 Ashes Test in the city, Glamorgan’s SWALEC Stadium has been confirmed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) as a venue in the five match-series between England and Australia in four years time along with The Oval, Lord’s, Trent Bridge and Edgbaston.
The city will also host an England Test against New Zealand in 2013 along with a number of one-day internationals over the next few years including South Africa in 2012, Australia in 2013, India in 2014 and Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 2016. A Twenty20 international between England and Australia will also be played in Cardiff in 2015.
The Council was instrumental in helping to finance the initial redevelopment of the SWALEC stadium as well as helping to secure £4.5m of funding for the club. Council Leader, Rodney Berman has spoken of his delight that all eyes will once again be on Cardiff for an Ashes showdown in 2015.
Cllr Berman said: “It’s great news that we will be hosting an Ashes Test for a second time following the resounding success of the 2009 Ashes match here. I think everyone who came here for that first match will agree that Cardiff has a world-class Test venue, with all the relevant infrastructure to support it.
“This is tremendous news and I am confident the city will be once again rise to the occasion in hosting one of the world’s biggest sporting occasions and welcoming the thousands of cricket fans who will descend on Cardiff for the five-day match.
“The race to host Test match cricket in the UK is now more competitive than ever so I’m really delighted that the England and Wales Cricket Board have decided to award such a prestigious event to the city once again. It’s testament to Cardiff’s status as a world-class sporting city.”
Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Nigel Howells said: “The decision to bring the Ashes back to Cardiff is fantastic news. In 2009 we proved that Cardiff is fully equipped and capable to host this prestigious sporting event and it was greatly received by all who attended.
“The 2009 Test was hugely exciting and propelled the city into the worldwide cricketing spotlight.
To be awarded the honour again confirms our triumph and we look forward to what will be another sporting spectacular.”
