ANZ Stadium is the venue for the modern day cricketing fan - the place to see Australia's brightest young stars and big names take flight in the phenomenom that is Twenty20 Cricket.
Home of the RTA SpeedBlitz Blues Twenty 20 outfit, record crowds have flocked to ANZ Stadium since cricket debuted in 2002.
The scene of Australian cricketing legend Glenn McGrath’s final match, ANZ Stadium has been a happy hunting ground for the Blues, highlighted by taking out the 2009 KFC Twenty20 Big Bash title against Victoria on January 24. With impenetrable foundations now established the future of the Australian cricketing landscape and ANZ Stadium seemed destined to be intertwined.
On 24 January, 2009 ANZ Stadium experienced a 'State of Origin' like atmosphere for the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash Final which was played out in front of a vocal crowd of 17,592 cricket fans. They were thrilled right to the last ball where New South Wales finally put an end to Victoria’s three year reign in domestic Twenty20. The Blues recorded a five wicket win on the final ball and crowned their latest batting sensation, in Ben Rohrer. Rohrer scored 44 not out off 20 balls and was named man of the match.
Scores were level with NSW needing one run off the final delivery, and in true finals fashion, the win had to be determined by the third umpire after Ben Rohrer’s single. Finally it was made official, the Blues had reached 5 – 167 in response to Victoria’s 4 – 166 and claimed victory in this year’s KFC Twenty20 Big Bash. ANZ Stadium would like to congratulate New South Wales on this exciting victory.
The next frontier is international cricket. ANZ Stadium Managing Director Daryl Kerry says there’s compelling logic behind plans to stage one-day internationals at ANZ Stadium. “It’s only a matter of time before we see crowds of 70,000-plus in Sydney at ANZ Stadium,” said Mr Kerry.
“The undoubted success of the Twenty20 at state level shows that international fixtures would be massively popular. “Cricket NSW understands the huge potential of growing crowds and attracting new fans, particularly in Greater Western Sydney.
“When the stadium arrangements for international cricket come up for review in a few years time, we’ll be very happy to cement a long-term relationship.”