English cricket bosses back £30m expansion of Edgbaston
The expansion of Edgbaston would ensure its future as a home of Test matches for years to come, according to the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Warwickshire County Cricket Club’s plans for a £30million upgrading of the stadium and surrounding area are under the spotlight at two public meetings on Thursday. But English cricket’s governing body has thrown its full weight behind the scheme.
The club fears it could follow Old Trafford, Manchester, which is not hosting a Test match until 2011, into the international wilderness. It is estimated that international cricket generates £12million per year for the Birmingham economy and the ECB’s head of venue partnerships, Gordon Hollins, confirmed the development could ensure that future. He said the aim was for spectators to enjoy cricket in world-class venues with world-class facilities.
“The ECB is aware of the plans at Edgbaston and have been in close consultation with Warwickshire CCC throughout this process to ensure the stadium will meet the world-class requirements of the ECB’s facilities policy,” he added.
“This will become a prerequisite for grounds wishing to stage international matches in the future.”
The ground is scheduled to be a Test venue until 2011, but after that faces competition from Sophia Gardens, in Cardiff, the Rose Bowl, in Southampton, and Riverside, Durham, as well as the traditional venues of Lords, The Oval, Headingley and Trent Bridge.
