Cricket fans rejoiced as the World Cup qualifying matches got underway in Geelong this week.
Sri Lanka, the Netherlands, Namibia, and the UAE all played matches at GMHBA Stadium.
Independent photographer Ivan Kemp went along on Tuesday to find many fans flooding in to support their team.
Geelong has come alive for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup as the city hosted six matches across five days, featuring the national sides of Namibia, the Netherlands, Sri Lanka and UAE.
The six matches, played at Kardinia Park Stadium from October 16-20, are the only T20 World Cup fixtures to be played outside of Australian capital cities.
City of Greater Geelong mayor Peter Murrihy said hosting T20 World Cup matches gave Geelong the opportunity to show the world it was a leading Australian sporting city.
“Greater Geelong’s economy is getting a boost from fans travelling to see the world-class T20 cricket action at Kardinia Park Stadium,” Mr Murrihy said.
“Geelong is showcasing itself on the world stage and we were thrilled that Indian cricket commentator and journalist Harsha Bhogle tweeted to his followers that he was impressed by Kardinia Park and our beautiful waterfront.”
With increased public transport services running to and from Melbourne for the event, the city saw an influx of tourists and sporting fans for the event in a welcome boost to the local economy.
“Accommodation bookings are up on this time last year and it’s great to see cricket fans dining out at nearby cafes,” Mr Murrihy said,
“The three days of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup matches at Kardinia Park Stadium comes off the back of the recent success of White Night and shows that Geelong is skilled at hosting major events.”
