Edgbaston set for a summer sell-out

Edgbaston will host four World Cup group matches; New Zealand v South Africa (June 19), New Zealand v Pakistan (June 26), England v India (June 30) and India v Bangladesh (July 2); as well as a semi-final on July 11.

The stadium, now firmly established as one of the world’s top cricket stages having excelled as an Champions Trophy venue in 2013 and 2017, is all set to add to its spectacular history in cricket’s biggest one-day tournament.

Edgbaston was a host ground in the inaugural men’s World Cup in 1975, having two years earlier hosted the first ever women’s World Cup final, and has been part of every men’s World Cup held in the UK since.

The famous ground has delivered many memorable World Cup games, including one of the greatest ever: Australia v South Africa in 1999.

South Africa fast bowler Allan Donald was already an Edgbaston legend having played for Warwickshire since 1987 and almost single-handedly bowled them to the County Championship in 1995.

On his beloved adopted home turf, ‘AD’ was to be at the heart of a thrilling denouement – and in for heartbreak.

South Africa bowled the Aussies out for 213 but also found the going tough with the bat and slipped to 198-9.

Last man Donald joined Lance Klusener with 16 required.

They inched the total forward so that nine were needed from the last over, to be bowled by Damien Fleming.

Klusener cracked two fours to take the scores level, but that was not enough for Hansie Cronje’s side.

A tie would take Australia through as they had finished higher in the Super Six.

One more run was needed.

Two balls later, Klusener squeezed the ball to mid-on and ran, but Donald turned to see where the ball had gone.

Eventually, way too late, he set off – and was run out by yards.

The Aussies in the stands went wild. A true classic.

That was the most recent World Cup match in Birmingham – but the next chapter will begin on June 19 when the South Africans return to face the Black Caps.