Lancs hit jackpot with new Test and T20 package
EMIRATES Old Trafford has been hailed one of the leading venues in world cricket after Lancashire were awarded a bumper package of international matches by the ECB.
Having already been assured of an Ashes Test next year, the club have won the right to host another in 2023, along with four other Test matches between 2020 and 2024, five T20 internationals and an ODI.
And to cap it all, they have been named as host for one of the eight citybased T20 teams for the ECB’s new competition starting in 2020 – which they hope will rival Australia’s Big Bash and the Indian Premier League.
It all adds up to a lucrative package for the county, and just reward after the £60m redevelopment of the ground which was sparked in 2008 when Lancashire were stripped of Test cricket due to the state of the venue.
And for Lancashire chairman David Hodgkiss, not only is it a major boost – both financially and in status – for the club, but also a huge plus for the region and for cricket in the whole of the north west.
“This truly shows how Emirates Old Trafford has become one of the leading venues in world cricket,” said Hodgkiss.
“As a club, we are determined to grow the game of cricket across all communities, with families and supporters able to watch, at affordable prices, some of the best cricket and greatest players in Manchester over the coming years. This will enable our vision of re-engaging our core cricket audiences across over 300 clubs in Lancashire, as well as every school in the north west, and attracting new fans through the new T20 tournament.”
The 25,000-capacity Old Trafford always looked certain to be named a host venue for one of the eight T20 teams, due not only to the size and quality of the stadium, but because of the huge interest in cricket around Manchester and the north west.
Although based at Lancashire’s home, the county will have nothing to do with the team, with coaches appointed by the ECB and squads selected in a draft, meaning current Lancashire players can be picked by other teams.
The other seven hosts are Hampshire’s Ageas Bowl, Edgbaston, Emerald Headingley, The Kia Oval, Lord’s, Glamorgan’s SSE Swalec Stadium and Trent Bridge.
The names of the teams are yet to be announced, but will be selected by the ECB. It is unlikely it will be called either Manchester or Lancashire.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham says the news is a massive boost to the whole region.
He said: “The economic and social impact from these major match days will be vital to the city of Manchester and the wider region in terms of how many people it will bring to the city, job creation and the indirect spend from those visitors. Manchester is a sporting city and Emirates Old Trafford has become a vital part of that. Everything that the club is trying to do fits perfectly with the vision of Greater Manchester going forward.”