To kick off the build-up to the joint men’s and women’s series between England and Pakistan, starting at Edgbaston on 11th May, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) marked the countdown by hosting a showcase tape ball cricket event full of vibrant music, entertainment and food. The event took place at a former gas works site in Digbeth, Birmingham, the unique venue was transformed into a festival of cricket and South Asian culture.
Those in attendance were treated to vibrant Bhangra music, authentic South Asian cuisine and a local DJ, bringing to life the intensity and spectacle of the stadium experience this summer. Heather Knight, Adil Rashid, Jamie Goodwin and Dawid Malan showed off their tape ball skills alongside special guests including women’s cricket fans Kate Lawler and Shazia Mirza, TV stars Kai Fagan and Jasmine Boatswain and England women’s rugby player Heather Fisher, in a celebrity invitational match.
Heather Knight, England Women’s Captain said: “It’s massively important to us as players that entry into the game is as inclusive and accessible as possible, and tape ball is a fantastic way of opening up cricket to a wider audience of kids and adults alike who traditionally might not have had the chance to play cricket.
“This summer is going to be next level, especially with Pakistan coming over, and the electric atmosphere both their and our fans create. I can’t wait to get down to Edgbaston for our first match next month and kick off the summer of cricket on home soil.”
Adil Rashid, England Men’s world no1 T20 bowler said: “I used to play tape ball in the street with my brothers and it would get really competitive. It’s such a great format of the game, can be played anywhere by anyone and that’s what cricket should be about.. It's brilliant that there's now a national tape ball competition. It's really important give people across the country the opportunity to play.
