We’ll be bidding for cricket’s top stars – Morris

THE new Cardiff-based T20 cricket franchise will be bidding for some of the game’s leading players ahead of the much-anticipated launch of the competition in two years time.

In what is a mouth-watering prospect for cricketing fans in South Wales, the side playing out of the SSE SWALEC could contain the likes of global stars Ben Stokes, Glenn Maxwell and Chris Gayle.

The ECB announced on Wednesday that the Cardiff ground, which has twice hosted Ashes Tests, would be among eight venues for the proposed all-singing, all-dancing tournament, which is hoped will mirror the spectacularly successful Big Bash Down Under.

Launched in 2011, the short-form game has won over a vibrant new audience in Australia with record crowds watching this year’s tournament, won by Colin Ingram’s Adelaide Strikers.

Replace Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Hobart, Perth and Brisbane with London (Oval and Lord’s), Manchester (Old Trafford), Birmingham (Edgbaston), Nottingham (Trent Bridge), Leeds (Headingley), Southampton (Ageas Bowl) and, of course, Cardiff (SSE SWALEC) and you have the blueprint for what cricket authorities hope will be a revolution in the T20 game in this part of the world.

“It is hugely exciting for everyone,” said Glamorgan chief executive Hugh Morris, who has been at the heart of the process to secure one of the franchises.

“You are going to get squads of 14 or 15 players containing some of the best cricketers in the world and we will be in there bidding for the likes of Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Steve Smith, AB de Villiers in an Indian Premier League-style auction.

“I have watched a lot of the Big Bash. Cricket has long been the national sport in Australia, but there was a time when it had a real dip at all levels.

“Cricket Australia started up the Big Bash and it has gone back up to number one in popularity again, it has been a huge success.

“And it is not just about the cricket, there is a huge emphasis on entertainment and attracting a new audience into the game.

“That is something we are really excited about. Cricket has gone up against some tough competition in South Wales. Football has grown enormously over the last 20 years, while rugby has always been king.

“And there is a feeling that cricket has dropped off the public radar.

“A competition like this can change all that.”

Also part of Wednesday’s announcement was the news that Cardiff would host eight ‘white-ball’ international matches between 2020 and 2024.

With the ECB favouring its traditional ‘big six’ Test venues, there will be no Ashes return for Cardiff, although Morris admitted, securing more one-day matches had always been the primary focus.

“From the beginning of the major match bid process we wanted to position ourselves as the ‘white-ball venue of choice,’” added the former opener.

“We are delighted with the outcome, although that is not to say we will never look to bring another Ashes Test back to Cardiff.

“We reached capacity in all three international matches involving England last year and our international fixtures in 2018 continue to sell at record pace.

“The revenue we will be able to secure will help put the club in a strong financial position and it will help us to invest in the Glamorgan teams, the player pathway as well as our community programme.”