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Cricket World unites behind Old Trafford

With only days left for supporters to back the campaign, cricketing legends from around the world have united in support of Lancashire County Cricket Club's redevelopment plans for Old Trafford cricket ground.

Letters of support have been sent to Trafford Council from former Australian captain and much-loved cricket commentator Richie Benaud, the family of Jim Laker, who famously took 19 wickets in a Test Match against Australia at Old Trafford in 1956, and former England coach David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd.  David Morgan, President of the International Cricket Council, cricket’s global governing body, has also written in support of the proposals.

In addition, Australian legend and national batting coach Justin Langer, who in his final season in 2009 overtook Sir Donald Bradman as his country’s leading First Class run scorer, has also recorded a video message of support which can be viewed at www.oldtraffordashes.co.uk.  The campaign has already received the backing of Michael Vaughan, Andrew Flintoff, Jimmy Anderson, Sajid Mahmood, and most recently the Cricket Writers Association’s 400-plus members.  The website has so far received over 2,600 pledges of support, with a deadline set for Wednesday 20th January at 5pm.

ICC President David Morgan said:  “In the North West of England, more youngsters are playing the game than at any other time in history, with over 80,000 children actively taking part in cricket at grassroots level.  Without Test Match cricket at Old Trafford, there is a real threat to the popularity and development of cricket in the region, as many aspiring cricketers take great inspiration from seeing their heroes and role models at close quarters.”

Richie Benaud said:  “Old Trafford has played an important role in the history of cricket and it would be very disappointing and a sad day for the sport if International Cricket was never to be played at this famous sporting venue after 2010.  I, along with many Australians, look forward to returning to Old Trafford to watch headline grabbing Test matches and intriguing Ashes contests well into the future.”

Angela Marks, daughter of former England cricketer Jim Laker, said:  “As the scene of my father Jim Laker's greatest cricketing achievement - the 19 wickets against the Australians in 1956 - Old Trafford has always held a special place in our hearts.  It would be a tremendous pity if a great city like Manchester and a great venue like Old Trafford were no longer able to host such contests in the future.”

Justin Langer said:  “Old Trafford is a magnificent cricket ground, there’s so much history there.  One of the brilliant things about playing Test cricket is that it does have so much history involved in it, so when you go and play at a ground like Old Trafford you can just feel it, almost feel it in your pores.  You walk into the ground and you can feel all the old spirit of years gone by, so it’s a brilliant place to play."

Without substantial redevelopment, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECC) has confirmed that after this year’s Test Match against Bangladesh there will be no more international cricket at Old Trafford. 

Research conducted for Yorkshire Forward and Yorkshire County Cricket Club into the 2009 Ashes Test Match demonstrated that Leeds benefited by over £1.2 million per day during August’s Headingley Ashes Test Match.   During the three days of the test over 32,000 additional people visited the city, accounting for around £3.7 million additional spend in the local economy.  If the Test Match had run for the full five days, the figure would have been nearer £6 million.

The Old Trafford proposals are part of an innovative sports-led regeneration strategy for a 50-acre mixed use neighbourhood.  The plans include a Tesco store with approximately 100,000 sq ft retail sales floorspace providing over 500 jobs, half of which would be guaranteed for the local long-term unemployed.

The development alone will bring investment of at least £70 million into parts of Trafford which suffer from low levels of economic activity and employment.

Phase 1 of the development is already under way, with new conference and events suite, The Point, under construction and due for completion in June 2010. The striking new designs for Phase 2 by architects BDP aim to retain the heritage and history of the famous ground by enhancing the existing pavilion, as well as adding stunning new player, media and conferencing facilities, and an extension to the highly successful indoor Cricket School. Two new grandstands will ensure a capacity of 15,000 capable of rising to 25,000 with temporary seating. There will also be floodlights and a screen showing action replays.