Cardiff to stage first 2009 Ashes Test

London, April 11: Cardiff will stage the first Test in 2009's Ashes series between England and Australia, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Friday.

It will be the first cricket Test ever played in the Welsh capital.

In a statement the ECB said the remaining tests would be staged at Lord's, Edgbaston, Headingley and The Oval.

The match at Sophia Gardens will start on Wednesday July 8 rather than the traditional Thursday.

Schedule: First Test, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff July 8-12 Second Test, Lord's, London July 16-20 Third Test, Edgbaston, Birmingham, July 30-Aug. 3 Fourth Test, Headingley, Leeds, Aug. 7-11 Fifth Test, The Oval, London Aug. 20-24.