NEW DELHI: Cricket's biggest carnival in the shortest format-- the ICC T20 World Cup is currently underway in Australia. 8 teams are fighting it out currently for the four open spots in the Super 12 stage.
Over the course of 45 matches the winner of the eighth edition of the T20 World Cup will be decided.
The Super 12 phase of the competition begins from October 22 with the hosts Australia taking on their Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in what will be a repeat of the 2021 T20 World Cup final.
Seven venues across seven Australian cities -- Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane, Geelong, Hobart and Perth --are hosting matches and welcoming fans from across the globe for close to a month this time.
TimesofIndia.com here takes a look at all the venues that are hosting the T20 World Cup in Australia this time:
Melbourne Cricket Ground
The iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, located in the sporting capital of Australia boasts a rich history and heritage and is hands down one of the best sporting arenas around the globe. Built in 1853, the MSG has hosted some of the best events that Australia has ever seen and began hosting Test Cricket in 1877 and one-day international cricket in 1971.
With a capacity of 1,00,024, the MCG will be the star attraction amongst all the World Cup venues, as it will be hosting some of the biggest matches in this year's tournament.
The Australia vs New Zealand Super 12 opener, the India vs Pakistan Super 12 encounter and the Final on November 13 are some of the high-profile matches that will be played at the iconic MCG.
Adelaide Oval
Located in the city of churches, the Adelaide Oval just like the iconic MSG has a lot of history and heritage linked with it. Some of the greatest record-breaking matches have been played at this venue and the venue was also the first ever to host an Ashes day-night Test back in 2017.
With a capacity of 53,500, the Adelaide Oval is hosting 7 of the 45 matches during this year's T20 World Cup, including the second semi-final on November 10.
Sydney Cricket Ground
One of the most attractive and famous cricketing venues around the world, the historic Sydney Cricket Ground has hosted matches for over 150 years now. Known for hosting the annual New Year Test and home of the NSW Blues and Sydney Sixers, the SCG is an Australian history-filled treasure trove.
With a capacity of 48,600, the Sydney Cricket Ground is an architectural marvel and during this year's T20 World Cup, the venue is hosting 7 matches which will also include the first semi-final on November 9.
The Gabba
The hub of entertainment in the sunshine state of Queensland. The Gabba in Brisbane traditionally hosts the first Test of the Australian summer. With the capacity of 42,000, the gorgeous venue, in the past has seen some of the iconic cricket clashes across formats.
Known for its true, hard and bouncy pitches, The Gabba is expected to produce some electrifying cricket during this year's T20 World Cup.
The venue is hosting 4 of the 45 matches during the cricketing carnival Down Under.
Kardinia Park
One of the most impressive stadiums in Victoria, the glittering Kardinia Park in Victoria's second largest city of Geelong is hosting T20 World Cup matches for the first time ever. The 30,000 capacity stadium has emerged as a leading first-class cricket facility in Australia in recent times.
The Kardinia Park has been the home of the Australian Football League side Geelong Cats and was built in 1941.
Big Bash League, international T20 matches, super rugby and soccer friendlies have been hosted by Kardinia Park in the past and during the World Cup this time, the venue is hosting 6 qualifier matches, before the Super 12s start.
Perth Stadium
An iconic Western Australian state-of-the-art venue, the new Perth Stadium opened in 2018 and hosted the famous India-Australia Test as its first game in the same year.
Since then, the venue has been host to quite a few premier games and will host the England vs Afghanistan clash on the opening day of the Super 12 fixtures.
The 60,000-seater world-class multi-purpose stadium is hosting a total of 5 matches during the T20 World Cup this time.
It is the third-biggest stadium in Australia.
Bellerive Oval
Located on the eastern shore of the River Derwent, the stunning Bellerive Oval is hosting T20 World Cup matches for the very first time.
The 20,000 capacity stadium has seen quite a few upgrades over recent years and in 2015 the Ricky Ponting Stand opened up for the first time at the venue during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.
The Bellerive Oval is hosting a total of 9 of the 45 matches during the T20 World which includes qualifiers and Super 12s games.
