International cricket returns to Sophia Gardens Cardiff this Saturday when England take on Australia in the second match of their Royal London One-Day International series.
Sophia Gardens has hosted a number of exciting internationals in recent years and Chief Executive Hugh Morris hopes Saturday will be no different.
"We're really excited', said Morris. "Saturday should be another great occasion, we've been fortunate to host a number of England versus Australia matches here in Cardiff and it promises to be a great day.
"It's always a special feeling when these games come around, we've have two marquee games this year, the one-day international this weekend and an IT20 match in a couple of weeks' time. We have two very big fixtures, both full houses and we haven't got a ticket left so it's going to be a spectacle with a packed stadium in Cardiff."
Shaun Marsh has settled in South Wales after signing as Glamorgan's overseas player for the next two seasons, although this weekend he will be walking into the away dressing room after his inclusion in the Australian ODI squad. Morris is delighted to see one of the county's stars involved in the series.
"Shaun has settled into South Wales really well and it's been great to have him in our dressing room. Everybody is slightly surprised with his call up as he hasn't played one-day cricket for Australia for a little while. He is a fine player and it's great to have a player from Glamorgan walking down these steps in an international match."
England take a 1-0 lead into the second ODI against Australia after a nervy first encounter with the visitors looking to bounce back in Cardiff.
"It was a tight affair [in the first game] but the whole series is expected to be just that," continued Morris." There are some new faces amongst the Australia ranks and England will be keen to bounce back after their defeat to Scotland. England have had a good start to the series but I expect it to be a very hard-fought match here."
Over the next six years, Sophia Gardens Cardiff will continue to play host to some of the best cricketers in the world with the venue hosting four matches in next year's Cricket World Cup and has been confirmed to stage five IT20 and three ODI matches between 2020 and 2024, as well as a host venue for the ECB's new tournament starting in 2020.
"We always give opposition sides a warm Welsh welcome in Cardiff, we have a reputation of hosting some fantastic games here so I'm sure the crowd will be very welcoming and friendly," added Morris.
"We're really pleased that we will have an international itinerary over the next six years and a new T20 franchise here. We want the people of Wales to watch the best players in the game and I think the international program we have provides just that."
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