Lord's risks losing Tests

Updated 10.08 Wed Jul 25 2007
Keywords: Lord's, England, cricket, sport

The MCC fears there is a "clear and present danger" of Lord's missing out on staging Test matches.

This is because the home of English cricket faces increased competitions from provincial grounds such as Sophia Gardens in Cardiff and the Rose Bowl in Southampton.

"I would be an ostrich with my head stuck in the sand if I did not realise there is a clear and present danger Lord's could lose its second Test" - MCC secretary Keith Bradshaw

Currently Lord's stages two Tests each summer, but that could change when England and Wales Cricket Board officials announce their new staging plans for 2009 and beyond.

MCC secretary Keith Bradshaw said: "I would be an ostrich with my head stuck in the sand if I did not realise there is a clear and present danger Lord's could lose its second Test.

"I think that there would be outrage if that happened, among the touring teams in particular.

"As Sachin Tendulkar was saying earlier this week, Lord's is where every overseas cricketer wants to play and one touring team would not be able to do so if we staged only a single Test each year."

Lord's is set to undergo a £100 million redevelopment if MCC members give their approval, but that would not take place before England play Australia in the 2009 Ashes series.

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