Cardiff's Sophia Gardens to host opening Ashes Test in 2009
Friday, 11 Apr 2008 13:21
Lord's will host the second Test of the 2009 Ashes series
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the first Test in the 2009 Ashes series will be played at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.
The first day's play against Australia will be Wednesday July 8th next year, with a further four Tests scheduled for Lord's in London, Edgbaston in Birmingham, Headingley in Leeds and then back to the capital for the final match at the Oval.
The dates of the final Test have been set for the weekend beginning Thursday August 20th and ending on Monday August 24th.
Sophia Gardens has recently undergone a £10 million redevelopment programme, part of which saw naming rights to the venue handed over to energy company Swalec.
The ground was awarded Test status in April 2006 after the capacity was almost tripled from 5,500 to more than 15,500.
It is the only venue change from the 2005 Ashes series itinerary, which saw Manchester's Old Trafford ground host the drawn third Test.
"As a member of the victorious England team in the 2005 Ashes Test series, I'm looking forward to facing the Australian team again on home soil," said England batsman Kevin Pietersen.
"The 2009 Ashes series promises some great cricket, at some great venues and no doubt some tough challenges along the way."
He added: "I'm pleased that interest in cricket continues to grow and the spectators can look forward to another thrilling Ashes dual - arguably the biggest cricket contest of them all."
The chief executive of the ECB, David Collier, said: "Already there is great expectation surrounding the Ashes Test series which will follow the 2009 Twenty20 World Championships in an exciting summer of cricket for cricket followers.
"We have been in full consultation with the England management about the structure of the series and our summer programme in 2009 and this was ECB's preferred programme.
"I think everyone is now looking forward to the summer with relish."
Full itinerary for 2009 Ashes Test series:
1st Test,
Cardiff: Wednesday July 8th – Sunday July 12th
2nd Test,
Lord's: Thursday July 16th – Monday July 20th
3rd Test,
Edgbaston: Thursday July 30th – Monday August 3rd
4th Test,
Headingley: Friday August 7th – Tuesday August 11th
5th Test,
The Oval: Thursday August 20th – Monday August 24th