One of Test cricket’s biggest fixtures is coming to Birmingham in 2022 with the England men’s team meeting India at Edgbaston Stadium from Friday 1 to Tuesday 5 July in a Test series decider.
Following discussions with the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Edgbaston has agreed to step in and host the rearranged fifth LV= Insurance men’s Test match, which was originally scheduled to be played in September 2021, due to the unavailability of the original venue.
India hold a 2-1 lead in the Test series and will look to win their fourth outright series victory on English soil, and a first since 2007.
As a result, the need to accommodate the India Test Match has had a knock-on effect to Edgbaston’s schedule:
- The scheduled ODI between England and India at Edgbaston on Saturday 9 July will now be played as a IT20, start time to be confirmed.
- The Test match between England and South Africa in 2022 will now be held at Emirates Old Trafford.
All tickets buyers for the originally scheduled South Africa Test match or India ODI will be contacted via email shortly regarding their tickets.
Chief Executive, Stuart Cain said: “Following extensive discussions with the ECB, Emirates Old Trafford and BCCI, it was clear that the only way this Test could be played in the window available was if it moved to Edgbaston, so this is the right thing to do for the game.
“It means that the finale of what’s already been a pulsating Test series will be held in Birmingham which is a great opportunity for the city to host another global sporting event.
“This decision wasn’t taken lightly, and we know that there will be some cricket fans disappointed by the fact that South Africa will no longer be coming to the city, but we will welcome them with open arms in future years.”
India returns to Edgbaston for the 21st time in their history, looking to win their first Test and T20I at the venue. During their last Test series visit in 2018, Joe Root’s side edged a classic as Ben Stokes took four wickets in the final innings to give England victory in their 1,000th Test by 31 runs.
Their solitary T20I also went the way of England with Captain Eoin Morgan crowned Player of the Match as England won by three runs. In total, India have played seven Tests, 12 ODIs and one T20I since 1967.
These two matches against India will kick-off an exciting summer of cricket at Edgbaston. They will be followed by a sell-out Vitality Blast Finals Day, the inaugural women’s T20 tournament at the Commonwealth Games and The Hundred.
Added Cain: “With India and the Commonwealth nations taking centre stage next year, this is a great opportunity for Edgbaston to show to the world what a vibrant, diverse and cohesive city Birmingham is, as well as the wider West Midlands and Warwickshire regions.
“It’s also a brilliant showcase for women’s sport following on from the success of the Hundred. So, we will work with the City Council and local communities to make sure we don’t waste this opportunity to promote the region’s diversity and inclusion to the 500,000 people who will be taking their seat at Edgbaston to watch cricket of one form or another over the summer months.”
Click here to read our FAQs.
If I am already a ticket buyer for either the original Test match or ODI, what happens next?
Ticket buyers for the England v South Africa Test match or England v India ODI will have the option to keep their ticket for the same day of the new Test match or T20I fixture, or they can request a refund for the value of all tickets in their booking.
If you wish to keep your ticket, no action is required, and your ticket will be valid for the same day of the new fixture. So, for example, if you have already purchased a Day 1 ticket for the England v South Africa Test on Thursday 25 August, your ticket will now be valid for Day 1 of the England v India Test on Friday 1 July.
All ticket purchasers will be contacted via email with full details about their tickets and refund options.
I already have a ticket for the Test match, but I now want to attend a different day, can I do this?
Ticket buyers who wish to purchase tickets for a different day can claim a refund for their original booking. This will be processed as soon as possible, but please give up to 28 working days.
Buyers will then have an exclusive re-buy window from 10am on Tuesday 9 November to re-purchase tickets for a different day for the England v India Test match.
Please note, prices may be higher than the tickets you originally purchased and tickets for other days will be subject to availability. Only a small number remain for some days.
What happens if only some and not all my booking party no longer want to attend?
We are only able to offer refunds for your entire booking. If you have purchased multiple tickets or across multiple days or across multiple fixtures in the same booking, if you request a refund for this booking all tickets will be cancelled, and the value refunded back to the original payment method.
I have purchased hospitality for the original Test match or ODI, what happens next?
All hospitality purchasers for both the Test match and ODI will be contacted by their account manager to manage the transfer of their booking.
