Warwickshire County Cricket Club has confirmed women’s team fixtures at Edgbaston for the 2016 season, with games to be played as double headers with Birmingham Bears men’s NatWest T20 Blast matches.
Announced at a launch event for the new Birmingham Bears playing kit and crest, Birmingham Bears Women will take on Nottinghamshire at Edgbaston on Sunday 19 June before Ian Bell and the men’s team face Lancashire Lightning. The second double header will be played at Edgbaston on Sunday 17 July with Birmingham Bears Women against Lancashire, followed by the men’s team against Leicestershire Foxes.
Neil Snowball, Chief Executive of Warwickshire CCC, said: “The two T20 double-headers are a great step for the Club. Not only will it provide our women’s team with a chance to play in-front of a big crowd at an international venue, but it gives our Members and supporters an opportunity to watch an additional match at no extra cost.
“Whilst we were disappointed to recently miss out on hosting a team in the new Women’s Super League, we’re committed to growing the women’s game and we hope that this initiative and our grassroots development of the game will inspire more women and girls to get involved in cricket.”
Clare Connor, Director of England Women’s Cricket at the ECB, said: “Congratulations to all at Warwickshire CCC for this initiative. It’s fantastic to see this type of inclusive thinking from a County with a strong T20 record and at an international venue with such a pedigree in hosting T20 events.
“I’m sure that these double-headers will be the highlight of the season for Birmingham Bears Women. Hopefully they will also provide great opportunities through which the Club can drive some exciting community initiatives to inspire female participation at local, grassroots level in the region.”
In addition to the two matches at Edgbaston, Birmingham Bears and Warwickshire Women will be based at the new Edgbaston Foundation Ground at Portland Road in the coming season, with free entry given to these matches.
To purchase tickets for the NatWest T20 Blast double headers at Edgbaston and other Birmingham Bears home games, please click here or call the Ticket Hotline on 0844 847 1902.
Fans can save £4 on Adult tickets (at £15) if purchasing before midnight on Sunday 17 April. Tickets are then available at the advance price of £19 and then £23 on the day of the match.
