Cricket fans worldwide are gearing up for the much-awaited Ashes 2023 series, which will kick off at the iconic Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham, England. As one of the oldest Test cricket grounds in the world, the Edgbaston Stadium has seen some epic matches, filled with unforgettable moments.
Over the years, Edgbaston has hosted 54 Test matches, featuring teams from Australia, India, Pakistan, South Africa, and more. Out of these games, teams batting first have won 18, while teams batting second have won 21, with 15 matches resulting in a draw.
The stadium’s playing surface is renowned for its batting-friendliness, coupled with conditions that favor bowlers. Its consistent bounce and pacy surface make it perfect for some quality stroke play. It also highlights the importance of spinners in the fourth and fifth days of the match, as the pitch tends to turn in their favor.
Among the Test matches played at Edgbaston, England has emerged victorious in 29 games, providing them with a win percentage of 53.7%.
The highest score ever recorded at the venue was by England against India in 2011, amassing a whopping 710 runs during their inning. Alastair Cook was the star of the show that day, scoring 294 runs in 545 balls.
On the other end of the spectrum, the lowest score during an inning at Edgbaston was by South Africa, who only managed to put up 30 runs against England in 1924. Arthur Gilligan claimed six scalps that day, giving away just seven runs over 6.3 overs.
The average first-innings score at Edgbaston stands at 306, while the second innings score averages at 316. The third innings average is 243, and the fourth innings average score is 160.
Meanwhile, Cook retains the record for the highest individual score at Edgbaston, with his 294 runs against India. The best bowling figures for a single inning at the venue are by English bowler Wilfred Rhodes against Australia, claiming 7/17. The best figures for a Test match at Edgbaston are held by Fred Trueman, also of England, who took 12 wickets at the cost of 118 runs in 40.3 overs.
When it comes to the most runs scored by a batsman at Edgbaston, Cook leads the way with 869 runs, followed by David Gower and Colin Cowdrey, both fellow Englishmen, with 769 and 767 runs, respectively.
As cricket fans eagerly anticipate the Ashes 2023 at Edgbaston, this iconic venue continues to hold a special place in cricketing history, embodying the spirit of the sport and the true essence of competition.
