The ICC Champions Trophy returns to Edgbaston and Birmingham next month as we host five of the biggest matches in this global tournament. Tickets are now completely SOLD OUT for three of the matches – India v Pakistan on 4 June, England v Australia on 10 June and the second Semi-Final on 15 June.
A limited number of tickets are available for Australia v New Zealand on 2 June and the day/night match between Pakistan and South Africa on 7 June.
A limited number of tickets are available for the other two matches, Australia v New Zealand on 2 June and the day/night matches between Pakistan and South Africa on 7 June. Tickets for these two fixtures can be purchased online by clicking here. We anticipate both of these matches selling out too so please purchase today to avoid any disappointment.
Australia v New Zealand – Key Players
With a pool of world-class fast bowlers to counter, Steven Smith will have a tough job in hand as a No. 3 batsman for Australia. But, with his innovative shots and zest for scoring runs, Australia couldn’t be in safer hands. Smith has had an amazing run as a batsman over the past couple of years. He has been constantly compared to his contemporaries (Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Kane Williamson), and has consistently shown that he deserves to be on that list of best batsmen in the world. If he sticks in for a long period, he could eat into New Zealand’s bowling and take the game away.
After taking over captaincy from Brendon McCullum, Kane Williamson will have to balance himself in the side as an ideal captain and a composed batsman. His calm nature, and ability to play textbook cricket shots will definitely help counter Australia’s quicks. He has often bailed New Zealand out of tough situations with gritty knocks. On any given day, Williamson is a threat against even the best of teams. Australia will have to watch out for his unassailable temperament and skill, both as a captain and a batsman.
Smith has had an amazing run as a batsman over the past couple of years. He has been constantly compared to his contemporaries Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Kane Williamson.
Australia has had the upper hand in their head-to-head, winning 87 of the 130 matches played against New Zealand, with six matches ending without a result. In England, these two sides have played against each other three times, with both teams winning a match each and one being abandoned.
Pakistan v South Africa – Key Players
At a time when Pakistan is looking for reliability in its batting, Sarfraz Ahmed has name for himself as a proactive batsman. He has rescued Pakistan from batting collapses with his ability to be positive. His ability to score quick runs will definitely come in handy against a side like South Africa.
For the past few years now, South Africa’s most reliable batsman has been Hashim Amla. Amla’s skillful and classy batting will have to be at its best against a strong bowling line-up like Pakistan’s. Pakistan, meanwhile, has to watch out for Amla’s ability to switch gears quickly and not allow him to settle.
Amla’s skillful and classy batting will have to be at its best against a strong bowling line-up like Pakistan’s.
South Africa leads this tally by a massive 23 matches. Pakistan has lost 47 of the 72 matches played against South Africa, with one no result. Yet, when these two pace–heavy teams face-off at Edgbaston, a close contest is expected at least in terms of how many times the stumps are broken!
Don’t miss out – Tickets and Hospitality still available
Tickets for these two unmissable matches are available and can be purchased via: www.icc-cricket.com/tickets.
Why not treat yourself to hospitality for these two matches? Edgbaston has established itself as the leading cricket hospitality venue in the country after heavily investing in improving the hospitality experience which has seen year on year improvement in customer feedback. Hospitality packages are available for these two matches in our premium Warwickshire Suite. For more information please email Hospitality@Edgbaston.com.
