More test days at Old Trafford
LANCASHIRE’S Emirates Old Trafford will host England’s opening Test against Pakistan next month, along with all three T20 internationals between the sides.
The ground is already due to host the second and third Tests of the West Indies series, which started at the Ageas Bowl this week.
But now four more international matches have been added to Old Trafford’s calendar.
However, hopes that a small number of fans may be allowed back into grounds soon have been dashed, with the ECB announcing the Pakistan fixtures are to be played behind closed doors, along with a threemate ODI series against Ireland which will be held at the Ageas Bowl.
After hosting the two West Indies Tests, starting on July 16 and 24, Emirates Old Trafford will stage the first Test against Pakistan from August 5-9 before the second and third Tests are held at the Ageas Bowl.
Pakistan then return to Manchester for the threematch T20 series on August 28, 30 and September 1.
And Lancashire could host more internationals this summer, with the ECB in talks over Australia’s planned three-match T20 and three-match ODI series.
The county, who hope to start their domestic season on August 1, receive a staging fee for hosting the games, but will benefit more financially from the ECB booking out the on-site Hilton Garden Inn hotel throughout most of the summer. Daniel Gidney, Lancashire chief executive, said: “We’re delighted to have been named as a host venue for another four internationals.
“We are one of the first venues in the UK to be hosting international sport and it is something that we are all very proud to be a part of.
“We have been working closely with the ECB to ensure that as a venue we are doing everything we can to facilitate the teams, staff, broadcasters and media in the safest possible environment and in doing so meeting the everchanging international and Government guidelines.
“The facilities we have at Emirates Old Trafford are some of the best in the country, if not the world, following on from a decade-long £60m redevelopment of the ground, including the four-star 150-bed Hilton Garden Inn which Lancashire Cricket owns and operates.
“We are now able to lead the way in terms of hosting events, adapt to the new procedures in place and create a blueprint for when we are able to welcome back events in the near future.
“These fixtures are testament to the team at Emirates Old Trafford, who have been working tirelessly to ensure that the venue is as secure as possible for all those onsite.
“We’ve had some incredibly positive feedback so far from both the West Indies Cricket Board and the ECB for the work carried out over the past two months and I’m extremely confident that we will continue to deliver these additional internationals to the highest standard possible when Pakistan visit.”