ICC Men's T20 World Cup takes to the skies across Australia for 50 days-to-go celebrations
- Flags of all 16 competing teams flown over Sydney Harbour
- The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Trophy Tour, driven by Nissan, arrives in Perth with Shane Watson from Rottnest Island
- Geelong launches countdown clock to opening match on October 16
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 is only 50 days away, with 16 international teams featuring the world’s best cricketers getting set for the global showpiece event in Australia that begins on 16 October. From one side of the country to the other, the T20 World Cup took to the skies in Perth and Sydney today as fans countdown to ‘The Big Time’.
In Sydney, Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja was at Sydney Harbour as the flags of all 16 competing teams were flown over the city and its world-famous landmarks, Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
In Western Australia, The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Trophy Tour, driven by Nissan, arrived in Perth with Shane Watson bringing the trophy to local fans via helicopter from iconic tourist destination, Rottnest Island. Fan groups from all six teams that are guaranteed to feature across five matches in Perth marched to Perth Stadium and had the chance to get a live glimpse of the prized silverware.
A countdown clock and mural was also unveiled in Geelong, where the opening match of the T20 World Cup will be played between 2014 champions Sri Lanka and Namibia on 16 October. The mural was painted by a local Sri Lankan artist and will remain at Kardinia Park Stadium following the completion of the T20 World Cup.
Earlier this week, additional standing room tickets were sold out to the highly anticipated India v Pakistan match at the MCG on Sunday 23 October.
Over 800,000 fans are anticipated to attend the T20 World Cup with childrens tickets to all Super 12 matches available for just $5, while adult tickets start from $20.
ICC Head of Events, Chris Tetley said: “There is a real sense of excitement and anticipation now we are just 50 days away from the start of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. Today’s activities across Australia to celebrate the milestone highlight this is an event not to be missed. With all 16 teams confirmed and the finishing touches to event preparation being undertaken, I can’t wait for the cricket to start and to see who will claim the ultimate prize in T20 cricket.
‘There are still some tickets available for certain match days so anyone that wants to witness the world's best T20 cricketers in a World Cup should check the ICC website to make sure they don't miss out."
Australian cricketer and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Multicultural Ambassador Usman Khawaja said;
“The T20 World Cup is a massive global event and the fact that 16 teams will all be playing across Australia at the same time is very special. What I’m excited to see as being a part of the T20 Champions programme is the fans of all the different teams coming to the stadiums to celebrate their heritage and passion for cricket.”
“While Australia are the hosts of the event, this will be a home World Cup for people of all different backgrounds no matter where they are from. We’ve seen tickets sell out for the India and Pakistan match with over 80% of those fans living here in Australia. This shows how big the opportunity is for cricket to engage fans of all different backgrounds to be part of the Australian Cricket family.”
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Local Organising Committee CEO Michelle Enright said:
“With only 50 days to go until the T20 World Cup, our message is that this is a World Cup for everyone. It will be an unmissable celebration of cricket and the many different cultures that makes up its extraordinary global fanbase.
“World Cups have an unrivalled ability to unite the country and to inspire the next generation. With kids tickets to all Super 12 matches at just $5, we hope as many families as possible are able to come and see the world’s best cricketers and share in the joy of live sport.”
-ENDS-
About the T20 World Cup:
The ICC T20 World Cup is the pinnacle global event for T20 cricket, the game’s fastest growing format.
Australia was originally scheduled to host the event in 2020, before it was postponed due to COVID-19 and re-scheduled for 16 October – 13 November 2022. Matches will be played in Adelaide (Adelaide Oval), Brisbane (The Gabba), Geelong (Kardinia Park), Hobart (Bellerive Oval), Melbourne (MCG), Perth (Perth Stadium) and Sydney (SCG).
It’s the first time Australia will host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after a record-breaking women's event, which was held in February - March 2020. The final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, was won by Australia over India in front of 86,174 spectators, a record crowd for women's sport in Australia and the second-highest crowd ever recorded for a women's sporting event globally.
Australia will enter the eighth edition of the men’s event as defending champions after winning their maiden ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title in 2021, defeating New Zealand in in the final played at Dubai International Stadium.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 will feature 16 international teams playing 45 matches with the final to played on Sunday November 13 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.