World T20 to be played in Geelong

The World T20 Cup is coming to Geelong, with Kardinia Park announced as one of the host cities for the tournament in 2020.

At least one of the men’s group matches will be played in Geelong, which will be one of eight Australian cities to host the International Cricket Council (ICC)-sanctioned event.

The world’s 10 best women’s teams and 16 best men’s team’s will come to Australia to battle it out for the ultimate prize in T20 cricket.

For the first time, the women’s and men’s competitions will be held as standalone events in the same host country and in the same year – women’s matches will run from February 21-March 8, 2020, and the men’s matches will run from October 18-November 15, 2020.

The men’s and women’s finals will receive equal billing and be held at the same venue: the MCG. The women’s final will be held on International Women’s Day (March 8) in 2020, with the aim of creating a world-record attendance for a women’s sporting match.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren helped to officially launch the World T20 2020 at the MCG on Tuesday.

“This is why we’re turning Kardinia Park into the best sporting stadium in regional Australia – to bring the greatest athletes and teams to Geelong,” he said.

“The redevelopment means that world-class sporting events have a home right here in Geelong, and as a local there’s nothing that makes me prouder than that.”

City of Greater Geelong deputy mayor Peter Murrihy welcomed the opportunity to host another world-class sporting event in Geelong.

“We’ve had very positive feedback on the quality of our sporting facilities at Kardinia Park and to be able to continue to grow our reputation as a preferred host for major sporting events is fantastic for the Geelong community.”

Cricket Australia chair David Peever said Australia was extremely privileged to be hosting the tournament.

“On behalf of Cricket Australia and the Local Organising Committee, I would like to sincerely thank government at both federal and state and territory level, host cities, venues and state and territory cricket associations for their exceptional support, which is so critical for delivering the best possible events in 2020.”