TWO top County Cricket teams are hoping to move away from their homes due to the increased demand for quality playing areas, according to reports.
Middlesex and Surrey currently play at Lord’s and the Oval but the Sunday Times have revealed that they are keen on new bases in Uxbridge and New Malden.
GettyTop teams Middlesex and Surrey hope to relocate away from their current homes[/caption]
This comes as the professionalisation of the women’s game and the development of new format the Hundred have created a tussle for use of the high quality venues.
Teams that compete in the Hundred – a shorter cricket format – are separate from the traditional county teams so create direct competition for the country’s best grounds.
At the moment these teams do not relinquish full control of their grounds for the new franchise teams but there are still difficulties.
The County Cricket teams need venues for events, such as the Metro-Bank One Day Cup, which clash with the Hundred.
The previous solution for this has been to use other venues such as schools but this relies on the generosity of these other places.
The issue is particularly pressing for Middlesex who are not as wealthy as Surrey and are only tenants of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) at Lord’s.
Andrew Cornish, the Middlesex chief executive, said: “We want to be at Lord’s when we can, but we accept that being completely nomadic when we are not there isn’t the best thing for performance or revenue-enhancing opportunities.”
The proposed redevelopment sites are well over 10 kilometres away from the original grounds.
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While still in the realm of London, this could pose another issue for each team’s fanbase.
Surrey are expected to have an AGM on Thursday where they will update members on their plans to move.
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