LANCS LAND ASHES AND T20 PRIZE

LANCASHIRE have hit the jackpot after being awarded a 2023 Ashes Test and Emirates Old Trafford being named a host for the ECB’s new city-based T20 competition.

The Red Rose have also landed a bumper package of international fixtures between 2020 and 2024 which will be worth millions to the club – and to the region.

An Ashes Test is worth between £5m and £6m in ticket sales alone to the club, but that is just the start when you factor in food and drink sales, corporate hospitality and added revenue from the new 150-room hotel at Emirates Old Trafford, which was completed last year.

Lancashire had already been awarded an Ashes Test for next year – along with several World Cup matches including a semi-final. But in the ECB’s major match announcement yesterday they were given Tests against Pakistan (2020), India (2021) and a yet unnamed opponent in 2024.

Added to that there will also be five T20 internationals – three of which are against Australia (2020), Pakistan (2021) and India (2022) as well as an ODI against South Africa in 2022.

Lord’s, The Kia Oval, Edgbaston and Emerald Headingley are the other venues for the 2023 Ashes, with Trent Bridge missing out.

Lancashire believe the whole package will attract more than a million visitors to the ground for international cricket between 2020 and 2024, which will generate an estimated £83m for Manchester. The new T20 competition, part of which will be screened on free-to-air TV and which the ECB hope will match the popularity of Australia’s Big Bash.