Video: ECB send cricket ball to 'edge of space' ahead of NatWest T20 Blast season

The England and Wales Cricket Board have marked the start of the new NatWest T20 Blast season by sending a while cricket ball to the 'edge of space'.

The ball, which will be used in every game during the competition, was launched from Edgbaston using a helium balloon and reached an altitude of 110,000 ft before parachuting back to earth in Newbury, Berkshire.

ECB chief executive David Collier said: "By sending a cricket ball to the edge of space, we've come up with an innovative idea which vividly illustrates our own plans to make this summer's NatWest T20 Blast competition a truly memorable experience for cricket fans everywhere."

The ball's mission to space was captured on video, which can be found below:

The competition gets underway tonight.