Sydney has issued an open invitation to cricket players and fans from all over the world, flying an oversized 20m x 10m flag featuring the flags of all 16 international teams participating in the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Men's T20 World Cup 2022 over spectacular Sydney Harbour.
Australian cricketer, Usman Khawaja, joined Minister for Sport Alister Henskens to watch as the flag flew over the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney city skyline, marking 50 days to go until the ICC Men's T20 World Cup action begins in Australia and New Zealand on Sunday 13 October.
Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said Sydney will host six Super 12 matches, including Australia's opening match against New Zealand on Saturday 22 October, plus a Semi-Final match on Wednesday 9 November at the SCG.
"The Sydney Cricket Ground is the home of cricket in Australia so there is no better place to catch all the action, and watch the Aussies defend their crown, then right here in Sydney," Mr Henskens said.
"Sydney is ready to welcome international cricket teams and fans from all over the world to our sports-loving city to compete in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022, one of the biggest sporting events in the world."
Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin said Sydney will offer memorable experiences both on and off the ground throughout the tournament.
"Events like the T20 World Cup are key to the vitality of Sydney and make a significant contribution to our visitor economy by attracting thousands of fans, players and support staff to our state, who stay in our hotels, visit our attractions and spend in our retail, dining and hospitality businesses," Mr Franklin said.
"The NSW Government is committed to delivering world-class events like the T20 World Cup to achieve our goal of making Sydney and NSW the major events capital and premier visitor economy of the Asia Pacific."
With a welcoming and vibrant energy, coupled with a uniquely distinct mix of iconic attractions, stunning natural landscapes, and status as the major events capital of the Asia Pacific, Sydney is the pre-eminent T20 host city.
Left-handed top order batsman and the first Muslim and Pakistani-born Australian to receive an Australian Cricket Test baggy green cap, Usman Khawaja said Sydney was an amazing city for visitors to experience all of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup action.
"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 program is the fans of all the different teams coming to the stadiums to celebrate their heritage and passion for cricket," said Khawaja.
"There's an incredible program of matches coming to Sydney and I'm sure the communities of Bangladesh, India and Pakistan are going to be out in force supporting their teams. This shows how big the opportunity is for cricket to engage fans of all different backgrounds to be part of the Australian Cricket family."
The giant T20 welcome flag dominated the Sydney skies, and was viewed by Sydneysiders across the city and surrounds, with the scenic flight path including:
- Take off from Camden Airport in south-west Sydney
- Tracking over Dharawal National Park to the coastline passing over Royal National Park
- Flying over Bondi Beach, Manly Beach and up the Northern Beaches
- Looping back over Sydney Harbour, including the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge
- Passing over Chatswood and Parramatta on return to Camden
Download images of the flag flyover here.
