Major grounds in Test argument

News that Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens will receive an Ashes test match in 2009 has sparked something of a backlash from other competing grounds. Durham’s Riverside Stadium and even former test ground Old Trafford in Manchester have vowed to bounce back. Most embittered by the announcement will be Hampshire’s Rose Bowl in Southampton, which would have been banking on getting Grade A accredited status. Chief Exec of Hampshire CC, Rod Bransgrove, has vowed he may even leave the club over the news.

And whilst I think leaving the club over it is ridiculous, I do agree with his viewpoint. Having lived in Southampton for 7 years, I watched cricket at The Rose Bowl on many occasions and I have to say, it’s a great ground. They have poured millions of pounds into it and the results are obvious. The ground was awarded the first International Twenty20 between England and Australia last year (where, if I remember correctly, England thrashed Australia) and has hosted 7 International one dayers. I’ve seen other high profile matches there too – Australia vs Hampshire for example. Test status was always on the cards and the decision to not award the status will be a total piss-take for the Hampshire chiefs, considering that the Ashes test has been awarded to Cardiff before any development work has even taken place. Durham were at least awarded a West Indies test in 2007.

I can’t imagine what the ECB is thinking – how can they award Grade A status to a ground which will only be grade A status after development work? How do they know the work will go to plan? The development plan still has to be agreed by local officials.

“Glamorgan County Cricket Club has created a robust business plan and a vision which makes Glamorgan a leading force in cricket throughout England and Wales. The development of Sophia Gardens will transform the venue into a modern, world class stadium and help Glamorgan Cricket enthuse a new generation of cricket players whilst providing tangible benefit to the economy in Wales and to Glamorgan cricket.”

The development of the Rose Bowl has already transformed it into a modern, world class stadium. But even if it’s rejected – Hampshire are unlikely to get the status. The reasons allegedly being that the ECB want to see more evidence of improvements in the quality of the pitches at the Southampton ground.

There appears to be a real contradiction here. Rod Bransgrove thinks it might be personal, hence his threat to quit the club. But either way, Hampshire CC have been stitched up.