Edgbaston To Stage 2013 ICC Champions Trophy Final

Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham has won the right to host the final of one of world cricket's biggest tournaments, the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Champions Trophy in 2013.

The world's top eight One Day International teams participate in The ICC Champions Trophy - including England, Australia and India amongst others - and Edgbaston will become the first venue outside of London to host the final of an official ICC event on Sunday 23 June 2013.

Colin Povey, Chief Executive of Edgbaston Stadium, said: "Staging the final of such a prestigious tournament as the ICC Champions Trophy is not just fantastic news for Edgbaston, but for the City of Birmingham, which will host many of the world's greatest players and their supporters during the course of the competition.

"The £32 million redevelopment of Edgbaston was designed to bring great tournaments and the world's biggest cricket matches like to the City, so we are delighted to be chosen for the final."

Edgbaston hosted five matches in the ICC Champions Trophy in 2004, including a semi-final where England famously beat Australia by six wickets and ended their run of 14 consecutive ODI defeats by their Ashes rivals. In 1999 the venue also staged the legendary tied World Cup semi-final between Australia and South Africa.

Sir Albert Bore, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: "It is fantastic to hear that Edgbaston Stadium will be hosting the final of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013, underlining its status as one of the world's premier cricket grounds.

"Birmingham is proud of its sporting heritage, earned because it attracts world-class events like this. Clearly, it is a major coup for the city, and I am delighted for everyone at Edgbaston."

Edgbaston's £32 million redevelopment programme completed last summer and was opened by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh ahead of England's Test Match against India.

This summer England will play at Edgbaston in all three forms of the game, starting with the Investec Test Match against the West Indies (7 to 11 June), a NatWest Series ODI against Australia (4 July) and a NatWest t20 International against South Africa (12 September).

Neil Rami, Chief Executive, Marketing Birmingham said: "Sport is one of the greatest means of promoting a city's name and image across the world, so the decision to award Edgbaston Stadium with five matches of the prestigious ICC Champions Trophy, including the final, will provide invaluable global exposure for Birmingham.

"Edgbaston's recent £32 million redevelopment cemented Birmingham as the home of sport in this country, with the city boasting an unrivalled sporting heritage and playing host to more national, European and world sporting championships than anywhere else in the UK.

"We look forward to welcoming fans to a number of exciting and diverse sporting events in the region in the coming months, including Diamond League athletics and international tennis at the Edgbaston Priory Club."