The England and Wales Cricket Board [ECB] today approved key venues for major domestic and international matches for a five-year period from 2020, subject to contract.
Following Board approval of the recommendations from an independent Host Venue Panel, led by ECB Deputy Chairman Ian Lovett, ten different venues are set to stage high profile international and domestic men’s matches.
Within the process host venues were determined up to 2024 for:
- Domestic Finals – Edgbaston would be the exclusive host of the T20 Blast Finals, having hosted the event nine times to date, with Trent Bridge the new home for the Final of the 50-over competition from 2020 onwards.
- Test Matches – These would be staged at six different grounds, given the expectation of six home Tests each year. Lord’s would host two each year, with five other venues each staging Test matches over the period.
- T20 and One Day Internationals – Ten venues across England and Wales would host limited overs internationals each season with four staging white ball games exclusively and six staging Tests alongside.
The Host Venue Panel also assessed submissions for the New T20 Competition recommending eight venues around which new partnerships would be formed and new teams created. Together, they provide a strong geographical spread, high capacity for attendance, quality experience and access for the widest audience.
On the Board decision to accept the recommendations, Ian Lovett, chair of the Host Venue Panel and Deputy Chairman of ECB, said:
“Today’s discussion and decision followed a rigorous, comprehensive and detailed process by the independent Host Venue Panel, in which they assessed a range of high quality submissions and presentations.
“With a five-year period of international and domestic cricket in prospect, as well as our New Competition being developed, there was very strong interest in hosting these events and the overall standard of submissions was excellent.
“From the start of the process we had clear objectives, set a strong methodology and made best use of all relevant data and insight. To help to assess the submissions a balanced scorecard was used, with key aspects up-weighted to meet the needs of each specific set of matches.
“It’s right that there should be thorough, independent scrutiny of such a significant process and I would like to thank John Crowther, Karen Earl and Mick Hogan for their contributions, knowledge and expertise.
“The ECB Board recognised the quality and integrity of the process and has endorsed the recommendations, with the next stage the detailed discussion and agreement with each of these selected venues.”
2020
Tests: Edgbaston, Kia Oval, Lord’s (two matches), Emirates Old Trafford, Trent Bridge
ODIs: The Brightside Ground, Bristol, Edgbaston, Kia Oval, Lord’s, Emirates Riverside, Trent Bridge
T20s: Ageas Bowl (two matches), Emerald Headingley, Emirates Old Trafford, SSE SWALEC Stadium
2021
Tests: Emerald Headingley, Kia Oval, Lord’s (two matches), Emirates Old Trafford, Trent Bridge
ODIs: The Brightside Ground, Bristol, Edgbaston, Kia Oval, Lord’s, Emirates Riverside, SSE SWALEC Stadium
T20s: Ageas Bowl, Edgbaston, Emerald Headingley, Emirates Old Trafford, SSE SWALEC Stadium, Trent Bridge
2022
Tests: Edgbaston, Emerald Headingley, Kia Oval, Lord’s (two matches), Trent Bridge
ODIs: The Brightside Ground, Bristol, Edgbaston,Kia Oval, Lord’s,Emirates Old Trafford, Emirates Riverside
T20s: Ageas Bowl (two matches), Emerald Headingley, Emirates Old Trafford, SSE SWALEC Stadium, Trent Bridge
2023
Tests: Edgbaston, Emerald Headingley, Kia Oval, Lord’s (two matches), Emirates Old Trafford
ODIs: Ageas Bowl, The Brightside Ground, Bristol, Lord’s,Emirates Riverside, SSE SWALEC Stadium, Trent Bridge
T20s: Edgbaston,Emerald Headingley, Kia Oval, Emirates Old Trafford, SSE SWALEC Stadium, Trent Bridge
2024
Tests: Edgbaston, Kia Oval, Lord’s (two matches), Emirates Old Trafford, Trent Bridge
ODIs: The Brightside Ground, Bristol, Emerald Headingley, Lord’s, Emirates Riverside, SSE SWALEC Stadium, Trent Bridge
T20s: Ageas Bowl, Edgbaston, Emerald Headingley, Kia Oval, Emirates Old Trafford, SSE SWALEC Stadium
Domestic Finals 2020-2024
Blast Final: Edgbaston
One-Day Final: Trent Bridge
New T20 competition venues
Ageas Bowl, Edgbaston, Emerald Headingley, Kia Oval, Lord’s, Emirates Old Trafford, SSE SWALEC Stadium, Trent Bridge