MANCHESTER, England, Sept 30 (AFP): Old Trafford's bid to make sure it is a Test venue come the 2013 Ashes in England was given a huge boost on Thursday after plans for a 32 million pounds (51 million dollars) redevelopment of Lancashire's headquarters ground received government approval.
Jim Cumbes, Lancashire's chief executive, said giving the go-ahead to a joint project with Britain's Tesco supermarket chain was a "historic decision".
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) officials had warned that without major redevelopment there was a serious risk that one of England's oldest international grounds-which shares its name with the nearby home of football giants Manchester United-would cease to stage Test cricket.
One key aspect of the proposed redevelopment will see the pitch turned through 90 degrees meaning the Stretford End, from where England off-spin great Jim Laker took 19 wickets in a Test against Australia in 1956, will disappear.
"This is a historic moment for Old Trafford, as it will ultimately secure the future of international cricket in Greater Manchester and the north-west," said former Lancashire seamer Cumbes.
"We can now immediately commit to the turning of the wicket, a vital stage in our programme for the redeveloped stadium to be ready in time to host the Ashes in 2013."
Old Trafford gets square deal as plan approved
FE Team | Published: October 01, 2010 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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