The long hot summer

Why not enjoy the cricket at Edgbaston in style?

Summer 2018 is proving to be a memorable one for all sorts of reasons, and what better way to make the most of the spectacular weather we’re enjoying than a day engaged in that most English of seasonal pastimes, watching a top-class game of cricket?

Birmingham’s Edgbaston ground is rightly acclaimed as one of the great cricketing venues in the world. Whether you’re watching hosts Warwickshire or have been lucky enough to get tickets for an England game the facilities are top-class and the atmosphere unique. To make the occasion extra special you could always treat yourself to one of Edgbaston’s acclaimed cricket hospitality packages.

It’s perhaps no surprise that the Edgbaston ground is so highly-regarded, as the suburb from which it takes its name is steeped in sporting history. The rules of lawn tennis were first formulated here, with the Edgbaston Priory ladies tournament long established on the calendar as a warm-up for Wimbledon, and in the nineteenth century the local Calthorpe FC were the foremost football club in the area long before Aston Villa and Birmingham City were founded.

But it is of course cricket that has given Edgbaston its fame. There really is no finer place to watch the drama unfold. History has been made and legends created here – who could ever forget Ian Botham capturing five Aussie wickets for one run against Australian in 1981, or Brian Lara’s world record score of 501thirteen years later? And there’s plenty of action during the summer to come.

If international cricket is your thing, Wednesday 1st August will see the start of a five day contest when England take on India in what will be the host nation’s 1,000th test. On top of what promises to be a gripping encounter, expect the sort of atmosphere that made former England captain Alec Stewart say, “It’s like having another man in your side.”

Or if you’re more a fan of the domestic game. there’s the opening of the Vitality Blast 2018 programme on Sunday 8th July, when Birmingham Bears are in quick-fire, thrill a minute action against Yorkshire Vikings. This will be the start of a hectic two month programme when the shortened T20 version that has transformed cricket around the globe will take centre stage, culminating in Finals Day on Saturday 15th September, when Edgbaston will once again host the country’s most successful sides in a unforgettable climax to the season.

And if you prefer your cricket at a more traditional pace, fear not because there are still plenty of County Championship games for you to come along and cheer Warwickshire along in their bid for promotion.

Then at the close of play, visitors to Birmingham can make the most of Edgbaston’s easy links to the city centre to enjoy the delights of Broad Street, Chinatown or perhaps the Jewellery Quarter, all of them conveniently situated to round off what will undoubtedly be a summer’s day to remember.