OT helps rescue the summer of English cricket

LANCASHIRE’S BIO-SECURE VENUE COULD HOST UP TO 20 DAYS OF INTERNATIONALS THIS YEAR

LANCASHIRE’S Emirates Old Trafford could still host up to 20 days of international cricket this summer after being confirmed as a venue for two West Indies Tests.

The fact the Red Rose have a hotel on site, and plenty of space around the ground to make it a bio-secure centre, meant they and Hampshire’s Ageas Bowl were selected as the two venues for the three-match series which will be played behind closed doors.

The West Indies squad will fly in on Tuesday and stay at the Hilton Garden Inn at Emirates Old Trafford for a three-week quarantine and training period.

They will then face England in the first Test at Hampshire starting on July 8, before returning to Manchester for the second and third Tests which start on July 16 and 24.

This all has to be given the green light by the government, but the ECB are confident the series will go ahead.

With England also having three Tests and three T20 internationals against Pakistan and two threematch ODI series against Australia and Ireland scheduled for this summer, Lancashire are planning to host up to 20 days of international cricket.

The county will get a staging fee for hosting the games, but the major cash boost will come from the ECB paying to use the hotel which is run by the club and has been shut during lockdown – from next week to possibly September.

And it will be a huge financial bonus for Lancashire, who like all counties have taken an economic hit because of the virsue. They have already started bringing some staff out of furlough to help with the preparations.

Lancashire chief executive Daniel Gidney believes they are also saving jobs in cricket around the country by being able to hold England games, with millions in broadcasting revenues at risk.

“We are delighted we can play our part in the return of international cricket in this country,” he said.

“The importance of re-starting international cricket should not be underestimated as it will provide a huge boost to the mental health and well-being of supporters of the game across the country, all of the players and coaches involved, as well as the staff at Lancashire. It will also protect vital broadcast distributions and jobs across the whole of cricket.

“It’s a truly proud day for the Red Rose.”

The club and the ECB are now working out the minimum number of people who need to be in the ground – thought to be around 250-300 each day. It is thought most, if not all, will have to remain at the venue for the whole game with added temporary accommodation possibly being erected on the car parks. Anyone entering the ground will have their temperature taken, and staff may have to be tested for the virus. There will be a screening and testing site at the ground.

ECB director of events Steve Elworthy said: “Our main objective is to deliver a safe environment for all stakeholders including players, match officials, operational staff, essential venue staff, broadcasters and media.” Lancashire’s Jimmy Anderson, Liam Livingstone, Keaton Jennings, Saqib Mahmood, Matthew Parkinson and Richard Gleeson have all been training with Red Rose head coach Glen Chapple at Emirates Old Trafford as part of a 55-man squad which England will utilise for this summer’s internationals. Jos Buttler is also in the squad but is training closer to his London home.

The importance of re-starting international cricket should not be underestimated Daniel Gidney, Lancs CEO