ECB’s Cardiff fiasco

THOuSanDS of empty seats in cardiff yesterday were not only a poor advertisement for cricket’s champions Trophy, but highlighted the ridiculous EcB strategy during the giles clarke era that allowed unsuitable grounds such as glamorgan’s to become international venues.

Sophia gardens, which has never looked right for England matches since hosting the first Test of the 2009 ashes series, is at best an occasional one- day international ground. It holds 14,500, with 13,900 seats sold for yesterday’s match, but only 10,500 attended. That is hardly encouraging for a potential T20 franchise ground, either.

THERE is going to be a poor turnout of chairmen for the Football League’s annual summer shindig in Portugal this week. But the 25 who are going include the Football League’s nemesis, Derby owner Mel Morris, who believes the FL can get more money for their TV rights by following his approach. an IOc executive board meeting in Lausanne on Friday is expected to rubber-stamp Paris and Los angeles as the next Olympic hosts after Tokyo. Indeed, the only matter to sort out now seems to be in what order the two cities host the games. Paris in 2024 and Los angeles in 2028 remains the most likely outcome.